Income not enough to pay for my outgoings. Not sure what to do

karenx

I think its also time for your wife to stop being a housewife and to get a job if you are struggling that much!

kaom

Bargain_Rzl wrote: »

Also, don't you get any tax credits?

no. I will apply for working tax credits

kaom

karenx wrote: »

I think its also time for your wife to stop being a housewife and to get a job if you are struggling that much!

we have a 4 month old baby so it's not practical at the moment

calleyw

kaom wrote: »

no. I will apply for working tax credits

You will not get working tax credits on your income.

You should get £500 child tax credits for a year because you have child under 1 year old.

After that it is doubtful you will get anything.

Try the entitled to website

Yours


Calley

MissMoneypenny

kaom wrote: »

we have a 4 month old baby so it's not practical at the moment

Aren't there some grants you can claim when you have a baby? Not that I know, but someone will be along in a minute to tell you if you can.

MissMoneypenny

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Perfectly manageable if someone is at home all the time and able to cook from scratch.

Even if there isn't someone at home all the time, a lot of the food can be batch cooked. I've saved a small fortune (in time and money) since I started reading the old style board.

Bargain_Rzl

Is your wife on any kind of maternity pay, or should she be?

Jowo_2

Download the budget planner on the free tools section of this website so you can detail your actual outgoings in depth, then you can attack each line item by finding cheaper tariffs and so forth.

TOBRUK

I agree with Jowo, you really need to do a detailed actual outgoings - that is when you become fully aware of where your pennies are going, it's really shocking when you look at it in black and white!;)

HRV

Just noticed you paid for half a school trip??? Assuming this is for your children who dont live with you?? You pay maintenance to cover these costs- their PWC should be paying these costs form this money.
Also have you re negotiated your maintenance payments now you have a baby living with you (can't remember the percentage but you get a discount)- this is via CSA- but as this is their guidelines you may be able to re negotiate a private agreement in light of this.

£50 is alot for clothes- we buy clothes and shoes for 2 adults and 2 children who live with us part time (but we have our own clothes/shoes here- long story) and definately do not spend this. We both work in full time in professional jobs and require 'smart' clothes but I still manage on loads less- via charity shops, hand me downs and ebay for 'treats'/pressies

I think also despite having a young baby your wife could do a part time job- plenty of people go back to work full time after a 4 months due to financial necessity