How much should I pay my mum?

Colliefrog

After a recent separation I am temporarily moving back in with my mum and dad until I find my own place. I don't know how much to give her towards the extra expense of having my and my 12 year old son there.
I thought I'd give her half towards the weekly shop as this is obviously going to double while we're there, but what about the rest of the bills? She's not on a water meter and I have my own mobile so won't be running up huge phone bills. The only other bills I think would be affected would be the gas and electric.
How much would you say is fair?

Fire_Fox

Half of everything you get the benefit of - gas, electricity, water, council tax (third), TV license. You are an adult and you could make your parents life easier, you are still gaining by paying board but not rent.

muskoka

Blimey - your mum & dad looked after whilst you were growing up and obviously are very supportive. If it was my mum and she was taking me in, I'd sit down and discuss it with her , but I'd be looking at paying her about £700 - £750 per month inclusive of food, electric, gas, rent, water & food (if you don't eat her out of house and home). Dependant where you are the country I guess,I'd gauge what you give your mum about 65/70% of what it will cost you once you have your own place. This way, you win (saving 30/35%) and mum wins - she makes a small profit for a few luxurys she maybe cannot normally afford.

wendyphant

Talk to your parents. When I moved in with my mum she was insulted that i wanted to pay for the bills she said it was her job to look after me. We had a big bust up about it so compramise was i did all the food shopping for the couple of months i was there. I did book her a break away when i was settled in my own place though as a big thank you x

honeyD

£700 - £750 per month

OP might aswell rent their own place at that price! :eek:
Talk to your parents and figure it out between yourselves.

PasturesNew

An adult + 12 year old will eat more than half the food in the house. If your mum's like mine she exists on half a sandwich and a spoon of hot food per day. 12 year olds can eat for Britain.

mlz1413

You must know what your food bill used to be so you could offer that amount of money, or you could offer to do all the shopping.

My mum moved in with me and I hated asking for rent but couldn't afford everything so we agreed £50pw full board which I felt was a bargin for anyones living costs and helped me towards food and utilities.

As many others have said talk to your mum, if she doesn't want the money ask her to take it as a saving plan for you until you are settled in your own home.

House_owner

honeyD wrote: »

OP might aswell rent their own place at that price! :eek:
Talk to your parents and figure it out between yourselves.

Yes but you wouldn't normally get food included in your rent!

Colliefrog

£700 - £750 per month

wow, it's gonna cost me that when I get my own house!! I'm not even gonna be getting that kind of money until I find a job!
When I have mentioned it to my mum she said as long as I cover the extra costs of me being there ie. food, electric & gas etc. Her CT & mortgage isn't going to increase because I will be there.
And yes, they are very supportive, understanding that my hubby left and that I am moving my whole life 200 miles away to start all over from scratch!

Fire_Fox

If there is only you and one child, rent a two bedroom flat and claim LHA until you find a job. Bills tend to be cheaper in flats than houses providing it's well insulated.

Colliefrog

I haven't got a deposit or rent in advance yet, hence the reason I am moving back in with my mum. On council list but could be on there years! Plan is to stay with mum, find a job and save up the deposit, then move into my own place.