single parent-budget/debt advice

jane68_2

Hi,
I've been reading things off this site for a while now but it's the first time I've posted anything so I hope I'm doing ok. I could really do with some advice from you lovely people.I'm a single mum of three I owe the council roughly £2500 in housing benifit over payments which I'm paying off every month and I do budget!!I don't get child maintenece.
My problem is there never seems to be any spare cash, some of my rooms haven't even got carpets in, I can't get credit because I only work 18 hours a week;my second child is about to start secondary school in september(mega expense)
I don't know what to do....I recently started a spending diary to see if there is money I'm secretly spending so we'll see what happens. My outgoings (non essential) consist of a dvd rental package £7.97 a month internet £9.97 a month and I run a car which works out cheaper than public transport/taxis.That's it we don't go out either as a family or seperately. Where am I going wrong?
If there's no room in my budget for incedentals ( an unexpected birthday party or school trip etc) It's usually food I cut back on.Any advice or constructive criticism would be gratefully recieved.

Becles

If you post a detailed list of your monthly outgoings, people can usually offer constructive advice.

To start with:

Have you changed suppliers for gas/electric/phones? This can save money. Have a look at www.uswitch.com

Have a look at the Old Style forum. There's masses of tips on there for cooking and cleaning on a budget
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=33

Keep an eye on bargains in the shopping forums to put away for Christmas/Birthdays/other gift occassions.

The spending diary is a good idea. Keep doing that and see if you can spot any other savings from it.

jane68_2

Thanks for the reply becles
I've already changed elec/gas suppliers and bought Martins book for money saving advice.
Here's a list of my outgoings but obviously doesn't show council tax/ water charges increase for April
Rent £250
Council tax £60
Content insurance £8.65
Water rates £33.60
Gas/Elec £55.00
Home Phone 25.00-- 1899 £5.00
Internet £17.97
Mobile £10
Life assurance £8.36
Life insurance £8.00
Food £240
School bus pass £50.00
car insurance £25.00
Petrol £60
Dvd rental £7.97
scouts £8.75
christmas £20
clothes £25
counselling £15

Judi101

Hi Jane,

Can I ask what your £25 for home phone is? And your two separate Life Insurance payments? Have you had a look into a cheaper DVD rental package? We get one from Amazon for £5.99 per month that gives us 3 per month with 1 at home at a time. Alternatively you could try looking around for the free for 3 month etc deals on dvd rentals, I am sure there is a thread about it on here somewhere. Are the clothes for you or your children? For younger children have you tried second hand shops and ebay? I noticed you havent anything budgeted for car maintence and mot?

Judi

black-saturn

So you are working 18 hours per week but because of that you have to pay your rent and your council tax and not getting free school dinners? For your own sake it might be more worth your while, for your own sake working out whether it is worth you working. You can't be earning much for 18 hours per week yet you are paying out loads. It cant be nice living on the edge all the time for the sake of that.

I'm a lone parent too with 2 children. The way I budget is at the start of the month I write down everything I need to pay for and then work out how much that is a week. Work out how much there is coming in a week and then you will know how much each week you can spend.

I was always broke until I started doing this.

jane68_2

Just been on the old style link for about three hours it's fantastic thanks.

The reason I've got two insurance payments is because the first one i got into ages ago and I naively thought it would be a good investment for my kids if anything happened to me but since have been told its not up to much but its not worth canceling as I wouldn't even get ny money back.The other one runs out when my youngest is twenty one but does have a very good return.Will look into new dvd package.Land-line costs £25 because it's on dierect debit but since I'vestarted using 1899, and trained the kids to as well, it's cut my call costs down loadsI'm just waiting to catch up should be this month I think then I'm going to change it.I tend to but kids clothes from cheaper shops rather than second hand because they cost about the same round here anyway.I don't really buy my self clothes on a regular basis.

To black-saturn I appreciate what your saying I'm trying to hold out at work because it's just about the only bit of social life I get when at the moment. It might be worth changing how I look into my finances it's hard to be positive when it's getting me down so much.

HGLTsuperstar

Sorry if this sounds harsh, you wanted constructive criticism and it is wellmeaning.
No child maintainance? Is that through choice? if so swallow your pride, and get the CSA onto him/them?
Counselling? Of course you dont have to say why you require it, but can you arrange something through your NHS GP?
DVD rental has to go for now I'm afraid, and internet packages can be cheaper- is that unlimited broadband? You can shave at least £3 off per month
If you're running a car, cant you take the kids to school and scrap the bus pass. Or if its safe, get them to walk (free exercise!)

Becles

Are you claiming working tax and child tax credits? If not, you should be!

Do check your entitlements before giving up work to live on benefits. From experience, as a single Mam of 2, I was better off working part time and claiming tax credits. I also, as you rightly say, enjoyed working for social reasons.

You might be able to save money on the life assurances if you take out a new term assurance policy. Sometimes it's better to cut your losses and start afresh. I stupidly took out a Sun Life policy when expecting my youngest which was rubbish! Term assurance just pays out if you die, and you get no money back otherwise, but it is much cheaper than policies that include an investment element. Try asking in the Insurance forum for recommendations.

Have you tried a package for the phone that includes some free calls for the children to use? With Talk Talk line rental and free UK landline calls costs £10.49 a month, or you can have free weekday evening calls too for £14.48 a month. Check out other providers too. I just used their prices as an example as that's who I'm with!

And keep reading the OS forum

jane68_2

Thanks for your help I've been inspired....I'm going to try and talk my eldest into swapping schools to a nearer one because it costs so much money just to get her there let alone uniform. Should be easier with the second one as shes not starting until sept. I've already found some ways to save some money as I haven't been off the computer all day and made use of some good links.

This site is brilliant and everyone should use it

beanielou

Can i just ask if there is a reason you are not claiming child/working tax credit?
you should be getting them.
have you checked that you are paying the right amounts for council tax and rent and that the council are not overcharging you? its best to check.
Good luck

jane68_2

I am getting child tax/working tax credit and it's complicated with the housing benefit because I was overpaid a couple of years ago. So although I am paying it back they are still giving me some housing benefit but they pay three weeks at a time and always in arrears???? I know it doesn't make much sense to me either but they say it is right.