Rugbymum's SOA Diary

insider66

i'm serious.

is it through the csa?

rugbymum

TBH thats getting a bit too personal. The short answer is no.

insider66

i'm sorry. i didn't realise. we are all anonymous though...
is it ok to send you a private message?

rugbymum

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Are you Thetford, Bury or Brandon way? Try changing GP, post on the benefits/invalidity boards regarding help with hospital transport if your kids need that much petrol/transport it should be a mobility issue as basic benefits assume you won't be going anywhere.

I have considered changing GP, but it isn't as straightforward as I assumed. The kids have regular checkups at two different hospitals. Unfortunately they have this freaky, weird & rare gut thing going on, which means that 70% of the time they are fine, go to school etc etc. The rest of the time they are at home writhing in pain. Although DSno2 is being monitored for Crohns, DLA is a definate no. I have tried.
Thank you for your constructive comments.

rugbymum

that's fine.

mum2one

rugbymum wrote: »

Arghhhh I really need help. Please comment away, but be gentle, I'm feeling a bit fragile after paying £591 garage bill.
This is for myself and three children, two of whom have frequent periods of illness & hospital visits. My finances are complicated so some of the amounts may seem odd. Any questions feel free to ask.
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 642.5
Other income............................ 299
Total monthly income.................... 941.5

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured loan repayments................. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 65
Gas..................................... 7
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 40
Telephone (land line)................... 30 can you get a cheaper deal
Mobile phone............................ 35 - noticed ur post said you get broadband, if thats with orange, from a quick look at the website, you no longer need a £35 month contract to get free broadband.
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 18 - could you try freeview
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 303 - cook in adance, bulk meals, etc
Clothing................................ 10
Petrol/diesel........................... 87 - xx
Road tax................................ 16
Car Insurance........................... 33 - can you shop around
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 15
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 18 - do you need these
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 14
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 19 - low budget,
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 14
CCCS.................................... 44
Total monthly expenses.................. 780

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 3500
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 3500

No Secured Debt

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
car finance....................2458.99...173.3.....16
nursery........................857.6.....22........0
dwp............................529.......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........3845.59...195.3.....

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 941.5
Expenses (including secured debts)....... 780
Available for debt repayments........... 161.5
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 195.3
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ -33.8

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 3,500
Total Secured debt...................... -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -3,845.59
Net Assets.............................. -345.59

Hi
I've popped a couple of comments on, just a thought, but noticed you said you have to take child to hospital, if your on IS can you not claim travelling expenses back, may help.
Also without being nosey, could you apply for DLA for your child, even if you got the care side it would help with expenses.

Noticed you have not included xmas and birthday expenses.
Another suggestion (sorry), could you sort out a spending diary and jot down every penny, its surprising how those little purchases add up.

Well done on the SOA, its the hardest step, but ur among friends.

purplevamp

insider66 wrote: »

i'm serious.

is it through the csa?

If rugby mum is on full benefits than any money from the CSA will go straight to the government and she won't see any of it, which totally defeats the object of the CSA imo (I was a single mum for 8 years and have been in the same situation)

insider66

purplevamp wrote: »

If rugby mum is on full benefits than any money from the CSA will go straight to the government and she won't see any of it, which totally defeats the object of the CSA imo (I was a single mum for 8 years and have been in the same situation)

hence my previous post....

"can you talk to the maintenance payer"......................

rugbymum

mum2one wrote: »

Hi
Also without being nosey, could you apply for DLA for your child, even if you got the care side it would help with expenses.

Noticed you have not included xmas and birthday expenses.
Another suggestion (sorry), could you sort out a spending diary and jot down every penny, its surprising how those little purchases add up.

Well done on the SOA, its the hardest step, but ur among friends.

I get presents and any extras from grocery budget, another reason it's so high.
As I previously posted: am investigating the orange thing, but the contract may be an issue, have tried to apply for DLA, no go. Not allowed IS. Car insurance won't go any lower, tried.
Entertainment consists of weekend papers & comedy & documentary channels, neither of which is available on freeview.
We only go out when bf is in the country and he picks up tab for EVERYTHING inc. babysitter!
Thank you

rugbymum

I just want to say good morning to all those who weighed in with constructive comments.
The spending diary seems the best way forward at the moment, so thanks for that.
I also want to say "publicly" that I am an honest person and I will not entertain the idea of not declaring all my income, such as it is, to the relevant departments I deal with.
As far as I'm concerned that is stealing and that in the long term will only make my situation worse, especially as I am trying to bring my children up to be thrifty and honest.