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Original poster

Saving incase I need to move out

26 replies

Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 09:36

Hi. I may have to move out of my current household and move into a flat I own.

My income is currently £718. Total monthly outgoings will be:
240 food
200 mortgage
85 Council tax (Inc single persons discount)
120 gas/elec
219 car loan (19 months remaining)
200 petrol
35 car insurance
20 water
13 TV license
28 broadband
Total 1075

Clearly, I need to get a second job to cover my outgoings.

I don't know when I need to leave but when things get bad I will leave and I am currently saving.

My question is, should I start buying items now to stockpile incase I need to leave or shall I just save?

Also, is 240 for food too.much for 1 person?

Thank you

OP posts:
cocopidge · 23/07/2021 09:38

I really dont think you'll be spending £240 on food for one person. When i lived alone, i spent £25-30 a week on food.

AlohaMolly · 23/07/2021 09:40

Ditto the above. When I lived alone I had a weekly budget of £30 and that did 6 x dinner, 7 x lunches, 5 x packed lunches and 2 x weekend lunches plus some treats. I didn’t drink alcohol or eat much meat though.

Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 09:40

@cocopidge

I really dont think you'll be spending £240 on food for one person. When i lived alone, i spent £25-30 a week on food.
Agreed. I've brought that down to around £50 a week. So £200 a month approx.
OP posts:
AlohaMolly · 23/07/2021 09:45

I think if you could meal plans you could cut that down even further, honestly!

Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 10:12

@AlohaMolly

I think if you could meal plans you could cut that down even further, honestly!
Really!? Wow...
OP posts:
pigeonhole · 23/07/2021 10:14

Will your tax be less if you are single ?

Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 10:16

@pigeonhole

Will your tax be less if you are single ?
The council tax is discounted for single persons
OP posts:
Kerberos · 23/07/2021 10:17

You are spending £219 on car, plus £200 fuel?

That's nearly half your pay which seems well out of proportion.

Kerberos · 23/07/2021 10:18

Just looked again MORE than half.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 23/07/2021 10:18

Can't see gas and electric for one person being that high either op.

Mine is £130 combined for four people and lots of use.

Msgiggles30 · 23/07/2021 10:22

That gas and electric seems really high. I live in a 2 bed on my own and its £50 per month for both and that still put me in credit after winter! £50 budgeted weekly food food sounds good as you'll need to spend more some weeks on toiletries and household stuff.

Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 10:24

@Msgiggles30

That gas and electric seems really high. I live in a 2 bed on my own and its £50 per month for both and that still put me in credit after winter! £50 budgeted weekly food food sounds good as you'll need to spend more some weeks on toiletries and household stuff.
Wow that's cheap! Which energy provider are you with please?

And do you have TRV on radiators and energy saving light bulbs?

Thank you

OP posts:
sunshinesupermum · 23/07/2021 10:26

I agree that your gas/elec is high for one person also why do you spend £200 per month on petrol? know it's massively expensive to fill the car now but do you use your car a massive amount?

Msgiggles30 · 23/07/2021 10:31

Im with EDF. I have heating on all winter 🤣 just usual radiatiors although my boiler is new so more efficient maybe. I do work full time so I guess im not using much in the day. Although if you were to up your hours as needed you would be simialr I guess. I have normal lightbulbs I think I haven't really looked! Am in the South.

pigeonhole · 23/07/2021 10:45

No I meant your wages , will you pay less income tax if you are single ? Therefore have a slightly bigger wage coming in per month ?

Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 10:55

@pigeonhole

No I meant your wages , will you pay less income tax if you are single ? Therefore have a slightly bigger wage coming in per month ?
Don't think I pay tax on my salary as too low. I pay NI and pension
OP posts:
Original poster
Googleboxfan · 23/07/2021 10:55

@sunshinesupermum

I agree that your gas/elec is high for one person also why do you spend £200 per month on petrol? know it's massively expensive to fill the car now but do you use your car a massive amount?
I think I've over estimated this also
OP posts:
Nsky · 23/07/2021 10:56

Food budget for cat and I, I think £40 is reasonable £25 to 30 too low

Nsky · 23/07/2021 10:59

Gas and electric high, my lowest bill is £45 in summer, 3 loads washing a week, dishwasher , oven max 3 times a week

Gazelda · 23/07/2021 11:12

I pay 90 per month, year round. 2 bed semi, 3 people. We use washing machine and dishwasher most days.
We spend 60-80 per week on groceries, including washing powder etc.
I think you'd be better off saving rather than stockpiling. It gives you options to tweak the budget in the first few weeks and means you don't have to move all of your hoard.
Can you change jobs to a higher pay role?

It sounds as though you are in a difficult situation at present, I wish you well

Nsky · 23/07/2021 11:37

Wise advice

willithappen · 23/07/2021 11:55

Do you have any savings to take the car loan down?

If I were you I would try get additional money in to the car loan and get that paid off ASAP as that seems to take up a huge chunk of your income and is ultimately what is putting you in this

I know it's tough also, but it does seem you are going to really struggle with this

Sunbird24 · 23/07/2021 12:08

Get yourself on a cashback site like Quidco or Topcashback - you can get cash back on all sorts of things, including insurance and utilities when you switch providers

Nsky · 23/07/2021 14:04

Maybe you could car share with someone, or use public transport, that was cheaper for me, as no parking, have vw up, very cheap to run.

Danikm151 · 27/07/2021 17:02

It might be worth doing a benefits calculator check to see if you're entitled to any universal credit.
Based on your wage at the moment you should be able to get some council tax support depending on your circumstances.