Husband maybe dismissed from work-advice please

chris1973

Living on £14k when there is just 1 mouth to feed is a bit easier than living on £21k when there are 4 mouths to feed

Those are personal choices and decisions, and not obligatory. In an earlier relationship I once chose not to have / start a family because neither of us were in a position to afford it. Yes there are times when I regret making 50% of that decision, but it was ours to make after all.

Perhaps someone with £14k per person should think about how they'd manage on £5.25k per person?

This is the benefits forum after all, so i'm sure that you'll read plenty of threads from people who are doing!. The question is, are they expecting to lead the same lifestyle and be able to afford the same outgoings as a family with a previously combined income of well over £21k+ without making huge changes?.

If they are intending to do so, what, is likely to 'give' first???

real1314

chris1973 wrote: »

Those are personal choices, and not obligatory. In an earlier relationship I once chose not to have / start a family because neither of us were in a position to afford it. Yes there are times when I regret making that decision, but it was mine to make after all.

The OP cannot now "choose" not to feed and clothe their children. They have sufficient income to support themselves, but if the OP's husband loses his job they will find it harder, that's circumstances changing things.

This is the benefits forum after all, so i'm sure that you'll read plenty from people who are doing!. The question is, are they expecting to lead the same lifestyle and be able to afford the same outgoings as a family with a combined income of well over £21k+

The OP has said repeatedly that they would be cutting their cloth. The first post mentioned taking Xmas presents back. But you still needed to give the advice that they would need to cut back? hmm.

If they are intending to do so, what, is likely to 'give' first???

And DUTR, I know it's not realistic, but nor is comparing £21k to £14k without considering who is having to live off that income. However, utility and housing costs are not the same for a single person compared to a family of 4.

chris1973

but nor is comparing £21k to £14k without considering who is having to live off that income. However, utility and housing costs are not the same for a single person compared to a family of 4

And what about the family of 4 on an income of £14K ???. How do you think they manage?. Like I say, they do exist and there are plenty of examples of this type of hardship (and some earning less) on the first few pages of this section.

I also hate to be the Grinch, but other than for their kids, why would anybody on a low income even be considering buying Xmas presents for other adults and family?.

Other than my God Children, I don't. I put as much as I can away, ready for when the Gas / Water / Electricity / Council Tax bills arrive.

Sixer

chris1973 wrote: »

And what about the family of 4 on an income of £14K ???. How do you think they manage?.

With WTC, CTC, CB and possibly other benefits. A couple with two children with one adult in work on £14k would get about £130 per week in WTC and CTC alone. The same couple on £21k would get about £80 in CTC.

The government clearly doesn't think a couple with two children can manage on £14k - and this forum isn't about your personal view, it's concerned with enabling people to claim their legally entitled benefits.

Googlewhacker

bikerfrenzy wrote: »

they better have a cast iron reason for giving him the sack..I have the number of a HR company that could advise you if you think you might go to tribunal. PM me if you need it.

No, they need to have reasonable proof, it doesn't have to be cast iron.

DUTR

real1314 wrote: »

And DUTR, I know it's not realistic, but nor is comparing £21k to £14k without considering who is having to live off that income. However, utility and housing costs are not the same for a single person compared to a family of 4.

I live in a family home (on my own) the heating is on as it would be if there were other occupants here or not, the grocery bill may increase the electric may do too, but the gas would not, I get 25% off CT , if another adult was living here then then it would go up, but then 2 incomes would mean the other adult can contribute their 50% , I save over 50% of my salary and that is with paying csa, so I know £14K net is plenty to get by on :j

Hammyman

beckseven wrote: »

My childcare bill was more than my mortgage-how crazy is that!

OK, firstly, you're not going to have the childcare bill whilst hubby isn't working so one way to look at it is that's the mortgage taken care of Forget keeping paying the nursery/kindergarten to keep the kids places "just in case because its good and hard to get a place" because you don't have the luxury. You can't get the childcare component of WTC with one person at home.

Secondly, Tax Credits will help you out. As mentioned, you'll get around £4000 a year. All in all, your NET INCOME should work out around £25-£26k taking into account Net wages after deductions, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits.

Do your sums based on a £26k/£500 a week NET CASH INCOME. Remember to EXCLUDE current childcare costs and travel to work for hubby.

I think you'll find it'll work out better than you're imagining.

beckseven

Thanks again for the helpful posts that have been left. i really didn't mean to start a debate though. I know I have been really stupid with money in the past ( my signature speaks for itself) but when we had our first child in 2006 we started to be sensible with money although I know i have to pare everything down to the minimum)-it was the year I joined this fab site. i could be the poster girl for what happens to you when you have debt and then suddenly lose your job-don't do it kids it's not big and not clever! I'm not trying to claim benefits to maintain my lifestyle-I just want to be able to pay the bills and will listen to all the great advice and strip back our finances. The presents I took back were for my elderly parents who I like to treat to a gift at Christmas because they deserve it for being the best parents in the world and I don't feel good about it but of course they understand completely. Now I'm off to sort my spreadsheets out-everything feels very surreal at the moment and DH is under a lot of stress as he has a meeting with work tomorrow so I'm trying to keep stuff normal for the kids and be upbeat for my dh. We are all healthy and that is the main thing

Indie_Kid

Hammyman wrote: »

All in all, your NET INCOME should work out around £25-£26k taking into account Net wages after deductions, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits.

£21k is too high to qualify for WTC. The cut off is around £18k.

mitch161

you will be quite surprised by how much money is wasted if the worse comes to the worse and you have to down size.

when employed i thought my wages were only just enough to pay the bills and i wasnt seeing much savings at the end of the month increase.

but since the whole dismissal thing, i knuckled down and realised i can live a basic life on just £65 a week. yes by cooking my own food instead of takeaways meant i had a couple quid free to be able to keep car on the road petrol wise to keep me more independant and not having to rely on bus-hopping to different destinations. and i feel if i was to sorn off my car i would find job hunting/ getting interviews more harder to achieve.

things to worry about today while wages still role in. get some major bills paid upfront. the unavoidable ones.

is your mortgage variable where you can ask to put in a extra month in to give you a little grace period if one month became tight in the future.

gas and electricity is the cheapest bill i found and thinking back on it now i wish i put 4 months of gas and electric into my utility company so that i wouldnt have to worry about shivering.

also if under contract for anything like sky, BT try and pay off a month or two extra, again giving you a grace period.

you never know if the worse does happen and a surprise bill comes up you dont want to be stressing self out having to choose between food and nappies if sky request a payment.

with husband possibly off work, you will no longer need childcare as he can look after the kids. spend that £700 a month on a little pinny apron for him thats got house husband embroided into it. and a cookery book.

i use to after work enjoy a nice takeaway or a restaurant meal as i didnt want to sweat over a oven for 40 minutes after work.. that £10 takeaway can literally feed your family for breakfast lunch and dinner for 2 days if you have the right ingrediants.

i am now a expert connisuer in the kitchen. making my own meals for under £1 a time and more filling then takaways are.

on your single pay you shouldnt have any financial worries, so relax. but yes it is good to be prepared.

just think about while the money is available pre-pay off the unavoidable ones. and that will give you peace of mind. and if worse comes to worse you can start cutting out the non essential bills.

if i can live on £65 to pay gas electric, water rates, telephone and transport. and food.. then £20k is easy.

dont stress yourself. just prepare. you will appreciate money more, and might surprise yourself. if you prepare self enough and cut out alittle.. if your husbands suspension is resolved and he keeps his job you may find yourself a couple £100 free or have a month of bills grace to enjoy a holiday to destress each other from the situation,

goodluck