Anyone else live on this?

[pinenuts75]

My rent has just increased,I’m single live alone I’ve worked out after I’ve paid rent, bills, and food I’m left with £175 for the month, does anyone else live on this?

Community Care agencies are desperate for staff. Some agencies will want drivers only but some definitely take walkers.
I have worked in care for years and at least half of new starters don’t have any experience. Everyone has to shadow existing staff regardless of experience, ones with no experience will just shadow for a bit longer.
A few years ago I did it alongside another job as every month we were short on money.
I didn’t look for job adverts, I googled all the care agencies in my area and called each one. I explained my availability, some said no as they wanted someone with more availability. But at least 3 agencies were interested and wanted me to come in for a chat. I went for the one who had the most clients closer together so there was less travelling.
It’s not for everyone but it’s usually quite flexible.

Yes, I'm aware of that, I can do basic arithmetic. It's fine for those on a budget and/or think Netflix gets more than plenty money already.

If there is any chance that you might be entitled you really should try. Also perhaps try to get more off your council tax and water bill? Some councils and water companies will give more off if you are low paid.

I get money off my water bill, but thought I was only entitled to single person on council tax.

Nice to know £50 is just spare change for you.

You need to increase your hours and increase your income.
what’s your long term plan? What field are you in?
getting on the property ladder would help as it may reduce your housing costs, certainly in the long term.
30 hours a week isn’t full time.

Oh I just watch TV on my laptop. Honestly paying for WiFi is such a waste when you can just use the internet on your phone and hotspot to tablet/other device.

I suspect that @pinenuts75 is not expecting to "get on the property ladder" as her chance of getting a mortgage is limited by her income. She'd probably be better to try approaching a housing association if there is one in her area.

Some companies and local authorities have discreditonary funds though not many.

Have you considered trying your local housing association?

you are doing really well must be really hard. You could cancel Netflix for a bit and see if can get Disney or now on a temporary introduction rate and see if Netflix tempt you back with a cheaper deal ?
other than that I guess a second job or better paid job. It just feels like working doesn’t always pay when others getting benefits similar for not working.

Eh?
Where did I say that?
Maybe learn to read the actual words.

Here are some ideas I had.
Indoor window cleaning
Daytime (afternoons) baby sitting so Mums can go to hairdresser/shopping etc.
Cooking an evening meal for a local person, providing regular company too.
Lots of people only want a couple of hours cleaning help which agencies don't want to supply.
After school care.
Light decorating jobs.
I've done all these to get by.
I would hate to house share/have a lodger so anything would be preferable to doing that!
I wish you all the best.

Ps. I forgot to add Age Concern who may go by a different name now, employ people to do regular light cleaning jobs. Often going pm would suit some elders as they struggle to get going in the mornings.

I just ran a salary of 19.5k through the Turn 2 Us calculator, obviously I don't know your exact circumstances but it said you'd be entitled to around £260 a month in Universal Credit and about £5 a month in council tax support.

You could use that to upskill and earn more. Are you paying into a pension? As you should really be thinking about that at 50.

👍

You’re struggling as your rent is so high in proportion to your income. Have a look on the website ‘entitled to’ and enter your figure into the calculator to see if you qualify for help. It really won’t take long to apply and you could be getting help each month. Worth investing the time to check. But agree in looking for a second job. What about pet sitting?

Probably best for you to work some more hours. Get a few extra jobs here and there and you'll get paid more.

Little savings from changing Netflix and selling are short term gains, what you need to do as you already have minimum outgoings is improve your salary.

Your options (you could do a combo) are:
1.New job with more hours
2.Speak to your bosses to try and get more hours at your current job
3.Speak to your bosses about getting onto a management programme to help pay long term
4.Retrain in another industry - you can pick up some free qualifications
5.Do some volunteer work to get skills in a new area for your CV
6.Get a second job.

Is netflix all that essential. Can use channel 4, bbc iplauery(no ads) and ITV?

I think giving your outgoings are already pretty low your options are to earn more, second job, do surveys from your sofa type stuff. Or just cut your cloth according to income. I do think it’s hard being single and a low earner. I really think we need to invest in affordable social housing.

I think giving your outgoings are already pretty low your options are to earn more, second job, do surveys from your sofa type stuff. Or just cut your cloth according to income. I do think it’s hard being single and a low earner. I really think we need to invest in affordable social housing.

I’ve been doing surveys, but only earned £8 in just under a week, they are time consuming too, and I have to keep charging my phone loads.

If you're entitled claim it.

For a start you should be taking home 1,436.16 for 30 hours at £12.21 uk minimum wage. Do you get payslips? Can you post a screenshot (hiding your details)

Secondly, if you are spending that much on rent, and not getting more hours, then could you think about maybe moving somewhere where there are more fulltime roles?

I don’t take home that much, and I’m on a little over NMW £12.30ph, infact I didn’t get that much this month and I done overtime 🤷‍♀️