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Original poster

Husband leaving, need advice on v tight budget pls

44 replies

Raver84 · 03/02/2021 18:19

Evening
Looking for some help and ideas.
My husband is moving to a rental in march.
We are in the process of divorce and living together is no longer manageable.
I am staying in the house, it's on the market, until it sells.
After every bills and the mortgage I will have 400 left for all food, clothes etc, petrol car repairs I have not included. I own car outright have nothing on finance but a small credit card about 500.
The total amount is made up of his maintenance for the kids., child benefit and my wages.
I am worried. I don't think I can claim UC I'm a ft student and my loan was calculated against his earnings so I get a v small maintence loan.
I work 30 hours per week and no chance of increasing as I'm doing all home schooling
I have 4 kids 10 to 3.
Please can you help me with how I can make 400 work until I sell the house. I dont really spend any petrol at the mo as working from home.
Please offer any advise or tell me I will be ok

OP posts:
PlanDeRaccordement · 03/02/2021 18:28

Ask for mortgage holiday I think you still can because it’s still lockdown in U.K.
Ask your university/college if they have any hardship bursaries
Contact Finance England and see if they can recalculate your maintenance loan
Ask GP or social services for a food bank voucher.

Original poster
Raver84 · 03/02/2021 18:51

Thanks, I can't do a mortgage holiday as selling the house and need to be able to secure a new mortgage so definitely don't want to take a holiday when I will be essentially re applying in the next few months.

OP posts:
FelicityPike · 03/02/2021 18:53

Will you be able to get a mortgage on a tight budget?

DuaLipaSuction · 03/02/2021 18:58

Have you gone through absolutely every bill and got it down. You could also phone the Credit Card company, they may reduce the interest for you too.

Mamagotskills · 03/02/2021 19:04

Can you ask student loans people to reassess? Honestly, I don’t think it’s doable.

MNCar · 03/02/2021 19:06

You may still qualify for UC so do apply.

Council tax. Should be nil liability

MNCar · 03/02/2021 19:09

UC will be adult rate, 4 x children

Less student loan ( divided monthly)

Less earnings which is amount less £503 work allowance as no housing costs then remaining 63% taken into account.

DuaLipaSuction · 03/02/2021 19:10

Will you be able to get a mortgage on a tight budget?

I was wondering that too.

Mintjulia · 03/02/2021 19:17

I was made redundant earlier this year and have cut expenses as much as I can. You could do the following:

Claim your council tax 25% discount.
Turn your heating down to 18 degrees and wear an extra layer (saved me more than I expected).
Check your car insurance because fewer miles can mean an insurance refund.
Stop buying brands
Cancel pay TV, gym fees if you are still paying them and any other subscriptions.
Check your utility accounts to see if you are due any refunds
Are you working from home at the moment. If so, you can reclaim tax on £6 per week to put towards heating bills.
Look for cheaper deals on mobile phones.
Adjust your contents insurance if the would drops after your dh leaves.
Get a water meter if you don't already have one.

Good luck

Mintjulia · 03/02/2021 19:18
  • if the value drops when your DH leaves
Original poster
Raver84 · 03/02/2021 19:20

No problem with getting a new mortgage the prob is here my mortgage is high as its a big house and shortish term on mortgage. The new mortgage will be very small as using equity from sale of this place and topping up with a small mortgage. I've spoken to the bank and getting a new one will be fine.

OP posts:
Mamagotskills · 03/02/2021 19:23

Is your ex still paying half the mortgage if he’s expecting his share of equity?

DuaLipaSuction · 03/02/2021 19:29

Great advice mint but I'm not sure about the water meter? Would it be worth the OP doing that if there are 5 of them?

FelicityPike · 03/02/2021 19:33

@Raver84

No problem with getting a new mortgage the prob is here my mortgage is high as its a big house and shortish term on mortgage. The new mortgage will be very small as using equity from sale of this place and topping up with a small mortgage. I've spoken to the bank and getting a new one will be fine.
Oh well that’s good news 🙂
DelphiniumBlue · 03/02/2021 19:35

Can you get him to increase maintenance, even if only temporarily?
£100 pw would be tight for just groceries for 5 of you, it wouldn't include any extras like petrol, shoes for dc etc.
You say you are a full time student and you work 30 hours pw and you have 4 dc...,,that's exhausting. I can see there's no option there for you to work more. But any chance you could find something that pays better? Or let out a room temporarily?
You may be able to get student finance to increase your loan based on your current circumstances- I did it in one phone call when out circumstances changed, and they agreed without hesitation.

DavidsSchitt · 03/02/2021 20:10

He's still paying half of the mortgage I assume?

Purplewithred · 03/02/2021 20:14

Run up a bit of debt and pay it off with a bit of your equity when you sell the house.

DuaLipaSuction · 03/02/2021 20:22

Have a good look through the credit crunch section on MN too. There's lots of tips in there including eBaying and cheap meals.

Original poster
Raver84 · 03/02/2021 20:30

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
I have really thought about getting a new job a full time one and leaving uni. However in the long term the degree will give me a better career and more pay. I'm doing really well and nearly done the first year. I may have to stop it though.
My other worry with changing jobs is getting the new mortgage, I've been in my current role 2 years and I work it around the children. I think me working more right now might rock their boat a bit more right now whne the need to be stabalised after their mum and dad have just split.
I'm finding this so tough, in the last 15 years I'd have asked for my husband to help me make all the big decisions and now it's just me I'm so unsure. I just hope the house sells quick, it will make a big difference. Iadnt thought of calling student loan people I had assumed I would have to wait until I reapplied, I will also think spring and warmer weather will help with heating costs. I will speak to council re the 25 per cent reduction that will be a big deduction as our council tax is high. Thanks so much for all your repliesm

OP posts:
MNCar · 03/02/2021 20:31

Did you see my replies? Your council tax should be nil liability as you are a student when he moves out unless another adult in house?

Check out UC.

MNCar · 03/02/2021 20:33

Also check out you water company’s support for those on low income. As you have 3 children you might qualify if you get some UC.

MNCar · 03/02/2021 20:34

Oh and if you don’t qualify for UC now make sure you apply again after your term end date ( June)

willien · 03/02/2021 20:36

You will be council tax exempt if you are a student so that will be a big saving

Original poster
Raver84 · 03/02/2021 20:53

Sorry didn't see the nil for council tax that will be a massive saving for us. Il ask the council about that. Thank you so much

OP posts:
Lennie16 · 03/02/2021 20:56

Keep going and don’t leave uni, you are right it will enhance your earning power and self esteem.
You Could consider food banks and small shops like co- op reduce food about 6pm for bargains, not great for full shop but if you can get some bargains on the day and are flexible- things like bread ( always good for toasting) and fruit / veg may be going cheaply - worth a try