Ok, so hubbys hours are cut to half by employer and we have 100 month for food!

Mumolulu

Triker wrote: »

Hi some suggestions re food,
you can water down your milk,

bake your own bread,



Remember, most importantly, you are not on your own.:wave:

:rotfl: I do water down the milk cos my children drink it like its free. My eldest (3), actually said not long ago to his nana, to put water in it, as it makes it go bigger she couldn't stop laughing......

Is making my own bread really cheaper? I bought a wholemeal loaf from asda last week that was on offer reduced to 50p.

You have all been so supportive :T

Mumolulu

Morglin wrote: »

He's be best getting another job, but while he does that it may be worthwhile to check out this:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx

You may well be entitled to more tax credits, or help with housing/council tax.

It may also be worth looking through this to make sure his company are staying within the law by just slashing his hours like this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Employment

Lin

Hi Lin, I called tax credits last night, and apparantley, our money will be reduced. I imagine its the governments ridiculous idea to encourage parents to go back to work, cos the more hours we both work, the more tax credits they give us . Its stupid cos right now we are one of those families that genuinely need a bit of help over next few months. I wasn't actually going to call them cos of the whole overpayment issue, as I thought we would be entitled to some more, and didn't want to mess it up over next few months, to then be overpaid, then pay it back etc. I was thinking that I'd leave it, then they underpay us, and we get more next year, but I didn't realise that with hubbys pay being less now, we would get less, so good job I did ring them. Hope that makes sense!

We have a mortgage so surely we wouldn't get any help with that?

Mumolulu

Triker wrote: »

Poundland and Home Bargains are your friends for this stuff.;)

Lidl nappies get great reviews......................do you have these shops near to you at all?

Yep! I already buy my loo roll from there, 12 rolls of nouvelle for 2.49, bargainous.
:T

re lidl nappies, I normally buy the pampers in huge boxes with an offer on when you buy 2, and I'm sure it didn't work out that differently in price, but I will look again. I've had lidl nappies before, they were good.

Mumolulu

Sue-UU wrote: »

I thought hubby would have wanted all the help and cutting back possible, but he seems to have different ideas. If he's not prepared to rough it a bit, he'll be one very unhappy man. Has he not talked about getting another PT job? If not, why not?

Though your 18 month old is still young, it's amazing just how much you can save by introducing him to potty training. He'll soon understand what he's on there for and you might be amazed at how much you save that way. Give it a really good try ...it'll work.

You need to look at the things you're able to do rather than the things you can't - or think you can't.

Sue

My hubby isn't really the most economical man. I think he struggles with things like this to be honest, and doesn't 'get it'. He has been in the same trade since leaving school and has recently qualified as a joiner, but can't get work there either. He has spoke about getting another job, but isn't really confident about doing so having been in the same job all his life, despite his mum and me giving him help, and sending cvs to every company etc. He also talks about setting up on his own but is terrified to do it, so talks about it all the time but doesn't take the step. He keeps telling me to go and get a full time job in the area I'm trained, as I can earn potentially around 20k, whereas he at the mo is around 13k, and he thinks that will solve everything, but he doesn't realise the impact that would have, he just thinks financially.

He is going to apply to sainsburys as I know they're recruiting.
Despite the above, he is a wonderful husband and father, and I love him very much! :rotfl:

onlyroz

He needs a job now - even if it's shelf-stacking or pizza delivery - to accompany the job he already has. Once he has a job then he can start thinking about applying for a "better" job in the trade that he's qualified in.

Do you work part time at the mo then?

Morglin

Mumolulu wrote: »

Hi Lin, I called tax credits last night, and apparantley, our money will be reduced. I imagine its the governments ridiculous idea to encourage parents to go back to work, cos the more hours we both work, the more tax credits they give us . Its stupid cos right now we are one of those families that genuinely need a bit of help over next few months. I wasn't actually going to call them cos of the whole overpayment issue, as I thought we would be entitled to some more, and didn't want to mess it up over next few months, to then be overpaid, then pay it back etc. I was thinking that I'd leave it, then they underpay us, and we get more next year, but I didn't realise that with hubbys pay being less now, we would get less, so good job I did ring them. Hope that makes sense!

We have a mortgage so surely we wouldn't get any help with that?

Have a look at this guide from the CAB:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_and_tax_credits_for_people_in_work.htm#your_income_and_working_tax_credits

Lin

Carmina_Piranha_3

This is just peanuts but would up your food money by an extra £16 per week approx - could he deliver the free newspaper on his day off? I did it for a year, and although it's a lot of faff with all the leaflets I usually earned at least £16 a week. I am assuming that your little ones would already be in nursery on his days off and he wouldn't have them 'helping' with leaflets, or taking them out with him.

It only takes a few hours, they worked it out at average hours meant minimum wage pay. I did it when my son went to school, so it was something to do while I job-hunted.

or, as he has a car on those days he be a taxi driver perhaps? i don't know if there's anything else involved, i just remember when i was little that my dad got a job driving taxis for 3 months in the winter after he was made redundant.

When my little one wore nappies I joined the tesco baby club, and so did my husband and both of the rabbits. lots of points or money off coupons when you but nappies and wipes, and there are glitches where you can buy cheaper brands and still get the points.

eyelinerprincess

I hope the rabbits had "human" names! Can just imagine a Tesco letter to a "Mr Fluffy Piranha" and "Ms Snuggles Piranha"

Gingham_Ribbon

You need to post in old style, if you haven't already, as you can do wonders with the food budget with help from people in there.

I agree about making sure you get whatever benefit help you can while he finds another part time job for over Christmas. I saw a few shops advertising for short term staff today.

Steel_2

Mumolulu wrote: »

My hubby isn't really the most economical man. I think he struggles with things like this to be honest, and doesn't 'get it'. He has been in the same trade since leaving school and has recently qualified as a joiner, but can't get work there either. He has spoke about getting another job, but isn't really confident about doing so having been in the same job all his life, despite his mum and me giving him help, and sending cvs to every company etc. He also talks about setting up on his own but is terrified to do it, so talks about it all the time but doesn't take the step. He keeps telling me to go and get a full time job in the area I'm trained, as I can earn potentially around 20k, whereas he at the mo is around 13k, and he thinks that will solve everything, but he doesn't realise the impact that would have, he just thinks financially.

He is going to apply to sainsburys as I know they're recruiting.
Despite the above, he is a wonderful husband and father, and I love him very much! :rotfl:

Hubby doesn't have to go the whole hog and set up by himself. There's no reason why he can't do the odd job for people for a while to earn extra income. Loads of people are staying put and extending/improving their homes and need someone with his skills.

You say he qualified as a joiner - what can he do? For example, can he make wood or mdf replacement kitchen doors for someone who wanted a new kitchen but can't afford one? Or even build a good quality wood kitchen? I bet there's loads of things he can make.

Might be worth letting the neighbours know if they're planning on extending or improving and need a joiner he's your man and he gives good rates....