Am I mad to want to be a Debt Free Wannabe whilst on income support?

Kay.Samuels

Thanks Ames I wouldfind our social life fascinating (just my cup of tea) but no don't my little boy would! He has high functioning autism, likes bowling but can only manage a quick game (so not a big group), when alley is quiet as he gets overwhelmed. He does like the cinema though.

We are used to living on a tight budget anyway thanks to ex's !!!!wittery with money. (Are we allowed to swear on here?? My apologies if we are not.)

I do buy clothes from primark, charity shops, bootsales, etc anway. Thanks for the board recommendations I will have a read tomorrow if I get chance (I am on a decorating mission, want it done so I can get my tree up).

I feel really positive nowI have faced up to things and made a sort of plan. Thanks everyone for your advice, I will keep this thread updated as I go along.

property.advert

Good luck Kay and well done.

In the long run, if you can get a job, your time spent on a budget will be invaluable. I used to earn very well but spend hundreds and hundreds a week on eating out, going out, never caring whatever anything cost. I reckon I used about £50-100 a week on cabs alone.

I may never get back to that income level but I reckon I'll get back to a higher net saving level because I honestly cannot see my expenses (other than essentials) rising up oo much if I get a job. Some treats yes but the attraction of seeing it all build up in the bank (or rather under the mattress until I've sorted out my debts !) is too great of a motivation to go out and regularly blow £200 on dinner and going out again.

Kay.Samuels

Erm thanks. I don't know why I feel the need to point this out but at 27 I have worked for the past 13 years, and even ran my own business self employed as an Ofsted registered childminder for 4 years. At the moment I cannot work as my son cannot be placed in childcare and I am also due to have a serious operation mid January after which I will be laid up for months.

Sorry I know you probably didn't mean to offend but just recently I am finding I am feeling less valued when I speak to people who know I am not working, probably just my own sensitivities though, I don't know why I feel the need to defend myself! I intend once I am back on my feet to do my next level of training (a level 4/degree) qualification, meaning I can get a better job to support me and my son and that I will find challenging as well as enjoyable. I want life to be better for us in the future in every way.

I know what you mean though about spending, I am a skinflint regardless of how much money I have coming in usually :rotfl: I love finding the cheapest prices of things, ticking off acheivements, etc. I am really going to enjoy knocking these debts down now I am motivated.

Again thank you everybody who has posted, I will come back on tomorrow.

lilly81

Hi Kay,

I got debt free whilst on lone parent income support. I paid toekn payments to my creditors and saved up enough for a lump sum payment to clear the debt with a settlement discount.
I do online surveys which reward you with gift vouchers, i used these to pay for birthday/xmas presents. I used recipes from the old style board, and used hand me downs/ charity shops for clothes.
Is your son at school? He will get free hot school meals and some school give free uniform.

The good news about getting the DLA/CA is that you can apply for some grants to help with emergencies/ replacing appliances, The best one is familyfunding.org
Have you asked at the bowling alley for DLA discount? Also do you have a disabled cinema pass?

I would say tell people your a carer for your son rather than 'not working' as you get a better response.

Good luck

Lilly X
The best one is familyfunding.org

josephine82

Hi Kay

Just read your post and wanted to say good luck with everything. I was lucky enough to be on a proper salary while I paid off my debts, so you have all my admiration to be doing it on income support/benefits etc- Go you!

Keep us posted! :j

Jo

Kay.Samuels

Hi Lilley thanks for the tips, will look into leisure discounts and family fund. Your signature is very impressive - what an acheivement paying it off on a limited budget!

Josephine - thanks for the wishes of luck, and well done on being DF1 I don't think it matters what your income is to some extent, it is chanign your approach to it to be DF and that is a challenge regardless of your househld income!

UPDATE: I have contacted NPower and am paying them £5 a week on old house bill (they are sending out payment cards), and my loan Direct Debit has now been reset up to include paying some of the arrears too each month. I have written up a weekly budget and plan to put left over cash in a pot to pay of debts with, as well as a little of it accumulating in my bank account too for debts. I am also going into y local credit union in the new year and setting up a savings account for my child benefit to go into, this will be my xmas kitty. I plan to pay off my catalogue bill first, then the other not so large ones, when everything but loan paid off will save to make an early settlement on it. If all goes to plan I will be DF this time next year!

Kay.Samuels

Have just paid off two debts, and am feeling very proud of myself. :j

Have coloured in the blocks of debt on my chart.

lilly81

Well done, keep up the good work!

bloojeans

Hiya of course you can do it, Total incomings: £1737.40. Both me and my DH both work full time for this amount So realy you have to equivelent pay of two full time jobs. It looks quite doable to me but i am no expert. Good luck and hope you can sort a budget.

Bloo x

bloojeans

Kay.Samuels wrote: »

Have just paid off two debts, and am feeling very proud of myself. :j

Have coloured in the blocks of debt on my chart.

Well done, keep it rolling

Bloo x