How much should I pay my mum?

Fly_Baby

mlz1413 wrote: »

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.

OK, I am going to be honest and apologise for that in advance but:

Obviously that's your Mum and your joint decision - but I could never imagine taking any money from my parents for them living with me. I didn't pay anything to them for housing, feeding, clothing and educating me from the age of 0-21 years and can ever pay this money back.

I don't know, I just felt sad after your post.

Kay_Peel

I think your parents' weekly shopping bills will MORE than double. If they are anything like me I lay in proper food when people stay with me, but survive on weird combinations when there's only ourselves to think about. The washing machine and tumble dryer is always on the go, the shower never stops and I'm too concerned about keeping people warm and comfortable to turn down the central heating.

At a rough guess I would need £450 per month to cover the extra cost of a couple of long term stayers - but I don't think I'd be comfortable asking for that much.

Hope that helps.

Colliefrog

Thanks kay, but trust me - my dad won't be going out of his way to make me feel more comfortable or warm lol! I may need to invest in a few warm jumpers... he's very MSE!

honeyD

House_owner wrote: »

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

Who on earth would need THAT much food a month? :eek:
I bought my own food when I was at my parents, did my own cleaning/laundry/everything! Paid towards bills like electric/gas, even paid more when it was needed but I didnt pay anything near £700! I wouldnt have had that much in the first place. Thats a ridiculous amount. You dont even pay that for a house share, Im sure!

Dr.Shoe_2

Why don't you buy your own food and chip in for the bills?

This way your Mum won't be offended that you feel the need to pay her and it helps her out too. You could even think about the odd treat every now and again such as an evening out, a meal or a trip to the cinema.

elfen

Work out what you have coming in, what debts you need to pay and what you could afford (I'd say at least a third going up to a half) Or, pay part of the bills and buy your own food/

Astec

My parents would never take money off me, and I'd never take it off them. But I understand everyone's situation is different.

How about you do ALL the shopping and pay ALL the bills? That way your not actually handing them any money, but still contributing. Things that are fixed stay the same, and your covering any extra (and then some).

Maybe ask your mum to help you with a savings plan, ie open an account that you pay in whatever rent would normally be, that way she can see that you are working towards trying to get on your own feet rather than blowing money on things you don't need when your living rent free on her!

Would also show her that you trust her and still need her.

Colliefrog

My mum would more than likely let me stay for free, but I'm not going to take advantage. I just want to pay my fair share. I'm hoping I'm not going to be there for that long. The local council have just nominated me for a housing association property, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that.

Blahah

Colliefrog it seems the best thing to do is to talk about it more after a month. You can sit down with your mum and look at the bills, work out how much extra it cost for the first month to have you and your child there, and then you can offer to contribute however much of that amount you can afford.

Trying to second-guess how to to pay is silly, when you can just find out the actual cost and pay that.

JA1000

You say you are saving for your own place, how is this going to be helped if you live on your own, bills etc.

Surely a conversation with your mum about the more you pay the longer you stay, if she can see you actively saving a pot to move into your own place this will encourage them to help.