How to live on 65 per week?

WeakHeart

Well done for the savings made so far.

Just a thought as you need to find further savings. I gather that you want the pet insurance because of the liability cover? I think that home contents insurance gives liability cover as standard which would include third party liability re family pets (excluding dangerous dogs). Would need to be checked but if so then with support from PDSA for other potential medical needs it may be cheaper to buy basic contents insurance than to keep pet insurance?

Good luck with getting to grips with the slow cooker, they are great and there are lots of cheap one pot meals that are really tasty and easy to make.

dancingfairy

Re Sky- you can't afford it sorry. Phone them and cancel it. Your credit rating is not exactly going to be great anyway if you are going bankrupt - they will either seriously reduce your package to keep you or if not you will have to default and not pay them and put the debt into your bankruptcy. I know it is not ideal but at the end of the day the day they can't have what you haven't got.
Good Luck
df

moneypenny2k

grumpyoldwoman41 wrote: »

As per my previous post - this thread is about me, not about my daughter. She is moving out in January anyway - no, I did not ask for any money from her while I was working and now she is moving out so this is not an option.

It won't help you now as you will get your council tax credit along with you housing benefit but if you do start working don't forget to claim the 25% single person discount.

Also to help you look at your energy consumption most energy providers will provide you with a free energy use meter, I think you said you were with EDF, but most if not all companies provide them.
http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/09/edf-energy-unveils-ecomanager-energy-monitor-230911/

Many will give you free low energy bulbs also. There was a free energy saving plug available that turned the socket off rather than leave the tv on standby, however that has finished now. Though I think they may be re starting it at some point. It is mentioned in this article http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grant-grabbing

Have you thought about going self employed via the daily trainer/consultant route? A lot of companies that previously employed trainers are now using daily paid consultants to bridge the gap. Living near London that may be an option. I know I've been paid £250 a day for training. It could help you move onto the self employed route. Have a google for sites that allow you to offer your services such as this one http://www.freeindex.co.uk/london-it_consultancy.htm as a start. Also the local business link can offer you advice and support to set up a consultancy business. Not a quick or easy fix but something positive.

I don't personally see the point of the insurance for the dog. Surely if your dog causes an accident and you are on benefits they're not going to think it's worth suing you are they? Not trying to be rude or unhelpful, just making a comment based on 3rd party viewpoint.

whiteguineapig

loobyloo2 wrote: »

Hi' just had to post a reply to this one.
I too don't do my main shop at Mr S, but I do call in quite late in the evenings and pick up lots of reduced meat, bread and veg.
Just before Christmas I went there for some goodies, and had £64 to spend on my Nectar card, so definately worth popping in for basics and reduced items.
This morning they had lots of reductions on Christmas goodies for pets too.
Boots also is a place I don't visit often, just when I see a good deal advertised on here, but I had enough on my card to buy the S&G tote bag for one of my DD's.
DD1 is also at uni, and works, as she did throughout 6th form, she pays board and lodging at £25pw.
I have 3 large dogs, I feed BARF, the cheap reduced veggies from Mr S help with the cost of this, and I collect chicken carcasses for free from a butcher, I did have to search for a while to find this butcher, but others more local do sell them for a measly amount, therefore a very minimal cost for feeding them. I also buy a sack of Wagg Worker from PAH every so often, just for when I forget to defrost the carcasses, or if we are travelling, this is a very cheap but good food.
I too am looking to change phone/broadband provider (with BT at £70pm) so will keep checking back to see what tips I can pick up.
New Year tomorrow, so lots of resolutions will be made on how to keep saving.
Good luck with the job search and a Happy New Year.

we use talk talk £18 per month and free local calls

chevalier

didnt' want to read and run. well done on the cuts you have made so far.

Have yo thought about doing surveys, etc online, to help with the money situation. It takes a bit to earn the a pay out but would help longer term.

good luck with finding a job
chev

metalgal

hi op, not read the whole thread so could be repeating, but have a tip for you. have you ever heard of chappie dog food? it is the only dog food pets would recommend is designed for sensitive tummies and its costs nothing. My mums cavalier was put on it as was my cousins fox terrier when their tummies went.

haycorns

Your council tax should go down when your daughter leave - don't forget to apply for the reduced rate straight away

2011_will_be_debt_free

When you get the council tax benefit, you can register the dog with PDSA and it is only £5. per year.

£65. per week with no council tax or morgage/rent is heaps more than I get!

You will probably have to pay £30-40 per month water charge.
Have you tried Dr Johns food with the dog? Or Supadog Sensitive. So thats only £8-£15 p/m Those are cheap and have a good reputation. Aldi/Lidl cat food and litter will only cost you about £5 per week max.

So that is £75. per month.
Your getting £65 A WEEK.

£50 A month for gas/elec
£30 vet fees (only until your PDSA comes through)
Thats £155. per month
Say you get 4x£65 in a month, you still have £105 after that.

Edit; switch to home insurance that covers the dog for third party as part of the policy....
Aldi/Lidl/Poundland etc all have a box of dry cat food that is just under a kilo and costs 99p and cans of food for about 45p in Lidl/Aldi The box of dry food will last a couple of cats a week.

Oldernotwiser

haycorns wrote: »

Your council tax should go down when your daughter leave - don't forget to apply for the reduced rate straight away

If her daughter's a student, the OP will have received the single person's 25% discount already.

sallymander

Hi Gow41 and well done on the savings you have made already, it will take time but you are already those few steps closer.

I know its been talked about already on this thread and don't mean to pry (just help) but why is your dogs insurance so necessary (and I say this as a dog and cat owner)? Its not a legal requirement, as far as I know, as you know the PDSA will cover you for medical treatment, so the only thing you are really benefitting from is the 3rd party. You may be covered with other insurance policies (although you don't mention those on your SOA) but even if your not is it so necessary?

It may be worth considering whether you have ever had to make a claim, what you risk is and how to reduce it (keep you dog away from other dogs, roads etc or on a lead) and If someone did sue you what is the worst that can happen? and thats a remote possibility.

I know its easy for me sitting on the outside looking in, everyone has different priorities and I wouldn't advocate this unless the circumstances were dire but if it was the difference between feeding me and the pets or insurnace for the dogs, I would definitely go for the first.

I think it has already been posted, but definitely look into the possibility of giving your dog the human version of the suppliment he/she is on. Off the top of my head I think glucosamine is the same for humans and pets but the human version at the pound shop is a lot cheaper. Before you give anything always check with the vet first that its okay to do so. The PDSA vets are very friendly and understanding and will help you if they can with things like this (I know 'cos my mom is one )

Sorry a quick post has turned into a long one.

P.s. just wondering if things may be a bit slow on the job front because of the Christmas holidays?