My Mum's Money Troubles

chevalier

Not being funny but why isn't your mum working? Can either of you go temping at least up until christmas? then your mum would working family tax credit maybe as well.

Don't forget www.freecycle.org for free stuff for the baby or yourselves.

Also on the moneysaving oldstyle forum (another board on this site) there are thread about making meals for pennies a person, and another thread with loads of ideas for saving on heating bills.

Don't forget that breast is best ahem (blushes), and to meal plan and do a shopping list that is stuck to. Ebay for clothes for all of you or charity shops. No more catalogues!!! You can phone the companies up and ask then to only send you statements in future not the catalogues, takes the temptation away.

chev

ChasingButterflies

Hi Katie,

Not quite sure where in the country you are, but as someone mentioned about Christmas Jobs http://www.bootsjobs.com/ - you can check by area.

Also over on the Old Style Board there is the Grocery Challenge http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1122887 - which should be able to help you reduce spending on groceries (and make what you have go a bit further)

Your internet costs seem really steep - so if you are thinking about changing it might be worth checking on https://www.quidco.com to see if you can get any cashback (there are other cashback sites - there are links somewhere on the fourm!)

Sorry it is late and I can't come up with anything more useful

Keep on posting and lots of good wishes coming your way.

chevalier

Also is the dad of your sisters baby paying anything? Even a bit to take some responsibility? Every little helps
chev

moo2moo

£250 a month on catalogues? Please tell me this is debt payments and you're not currently spending £3000 per year on clothes from catalogues. Set fire to the catalogues. All of them and yes I know thats harsh and you enjoy looking at the pictures but you really really really don't need them and you can definately do without.

Next telephones. You know exactly what I'm going to say. £150 isn't high is ludricrous. Find an all inclusive package. There are plenty about for £30ish a month that allow you unlimited calls, although even that you'd struggle to pay, basic line rental and very very few calls out would be better. Has someone been phoning £1 per minute premium lines? Get reading your itemised bill.

Mobiles - are they all pay as you go? Make fewer calls. In your shoes this isn't something you can afford at the moment. Carry it with you for emergency use but don't make any outgoing calls. If you have to text as its cheaper but if people are so desperate to talk to you let them pay.

Internet - sign up to a basic package there are plenty around for between £10 and £15. The cheaper the better.

You have to reduce your grocery bill. Aim at £5 per week for a start. its not a huge change but it will make £20 a month difference. Given time you should be able to reduce it to half what you're currently spending but it does mean meal planning and a lot of mince based dishes. I hope someone likes cooking.

Travel - whats this for? Can you halve it or use a bicycle (try Freecycle for one)

Your expenditure is more than double your income. No wonder your mum is worried. What are the APRs on the catalogues and what are the minimum repayments on each?

I know things seem dire at the moment but this is something you can do something about.

Updating your Monthly Expense Details changes you NEED to make are in red
Rent........................................ 60
Council tax............................. 32
Electricity............................... 59
Gas........................................ 35
Water rates............................. This is in with the rent
Telephone (land line)................15 (line rental only)
Mobile phone.......................... 5
TV Licence.............................. 11.61
Internet Services....................... 15
Groceries etc. ......................... 100
Clothing/Catalogues................. 0
Other travel............................ 45
Life assurance ......................... 10
Other insurance......................... 4.29
Total monthly expenses.................. 391.90

Available for debt repayment £22 ( you actually have to pay £116 based on the following assumptions)

Assumptions :
Kays Apr 29.9% APR minimum repayment 5% of balance so approx. £71 per month

Fashion World APR 39.6% APR (much less if you pay by D.D) minimum repayment 5% so approx £45 per month

You said JSAis £90 paid fortnightly but you've enterd this as £90 a month rather than £180. Which is right?

You need to get a job, even a part time one that you hate. Your sister could manage a few hours somewhere too. I know you feel like you're in a carpy place at the moment but your mums debts aren't huge and you can do something about them.

Theres a great thread on here called make £10 per day. There are 3 of you not working so each of you doing that challenge would be £30 per day or £900 a month. It won't be easy but with a lot of determination you could clear a huge chunk of your mums debt by christmas. No I'm not joking. 3 months of living like hermits cooking from scratch, E-baying anything you don't like / need / wear and lots and lots of surveys and you can make a huge difference.

Good luck!

LoulaBelle

There are loads of cleaning jobs out there to be bagged - early morning office cleaning - evening office cleaning - bar work - seasonal christmas work like someone said there are 3 people in the house between you - you can get something even it its 2 part time jobs - I know of course that someone has to look after the baby but work as a team and you can work around it. Buy the supermarkets own brand of things - don't buy nonsense magazines - all the things that have been brought from the catalouges - sell on ebay.

Go onto the jobcentre website and out a few details in and in seconds it lists all jobs in your area http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html

Please don't worry about christmas - its not a priority to buy presents - just think how much better you will all feel knowing that you've got a roof over you head and food on your table. Make sure your sister signs up with all the 'bounty' clubs and baby clubs for money off vouchers - get over to the freebie board and get free samples of washing powder/shower gel etc etc.

I wish you all the best.

LoulaBelle

moo2moo

How about offering your services locally as a babysitter? You'd get between £10 and £20 an evening to watch someone elses DVDs , eat their crisps and snacks and most will feed your friend too. If I need a babysitter before 6:30pm I end up feeding them dinner too.

FROSTYFRECKLE

Hi Freetobeme,

Okay just have a quick of the SOA - join TalkTalk - I pay between £21 and £24 per month for landline, telephone, certain no of free calls, and broadband. Get your mum to swap over. You will say a few pounds. Will admit the broadband is not top notch but who cares when you pay less than £25 per month in total.

Never mind saving a few pounds it would save you approx £175 per month. Also get everyone possible to call you, do not make any calls unless it is an emergency.

Ames

Just a couple of points from things that others have said. You can't get a warm front grant if you're in a council property as they'll say that it's the council's responsibility. That's what happened when I applied anyway, the guy who came round said that I wouldn't get it but filled the form in anyway. I didn't hear anything back from them. You will be able to get energy saving lightbulbs and draught excluders put around the door though.

Also re the make £10 a day challenge, you've got to be very careful how you do that as it could affect your benefits. Ebaying things you've used is fine, mystery shopping etc isn't.

freetobeme_2

Hi thank you to everyone for you help and advise.

My mum is working, but only part time at a school, she was working full time but was struggling with the debt, so went part time so she could get help with her rent. I've just found out I have an interview on Friday, but will continue to look for more even temp jobs over Christmas.

My mum said she will look at changing telephone company, the bill is high because of my sister phoning mobiles. The catalogues, that is just the debt, we have not binned every catalogue and we have stopped buying from them.

Thank you so much for everyones help.
Katie x

Ames

Maybe you could get a block on mobile phones put on the phone? I think your sister needs to be a bit more considerate, does she know about the money problems?

I think your mum also looked at it the wrong way. I think working full time and getting advice on the debts would be better than working part time. She might get more benefits, but you're all still struggling so are you really better off?