Don't Know How I Will Cope....

AnxiousMum

Have you calculated child support/child maintenance into your calculations? No idea of the whereabouts of father of your daughter, but he too is financially responsible for your child.
The thing is, your income is increasing, therefore your need for benefits decreases. If your income doesn't meet expectations due to bonuses though - you can do as suggested above and inform Tax Credits of new estimated income for the year, and amendments will be made to the amount payable.
Child support/maintenance from the girl's father will not be taken into account for CTC/WTC benefit calculations.

gabby71

Hi All

Thanks to everyone for your tips and advice, I think I do need to take a look at my finances and see if I can shave bits off here and there - every penny helps!!

Hammyman - what is an SoA on the DFW board?

Anxious Mum - my daughters dad is on the scene and helps out here and there but has not had a job for a few years so nothing coming in from him unfortunately...

Thanks again guys

Gab.x

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Butterfliesarepretty wrote: »

Get your mobiles on o2 pay as you go or £10 a month contract and get their internet for £7.50 a month.
Saves me a fortune.

that is if O2 is on their telephone exchange, go to samknows exchange checker to see if they are, bear in mind some BB companies charge connection fee, and some charge early cancellation fee's. also you will have to obtain your MAC code in order to switch this is available from your current BB provider.

mobile phones contracts do you really need and use them? do you do more texts than call wich one uses call wich one uses texts the most if you can cancel one contract that uses texts the most, and go on orange "dolphin" payg usually you top up £10 month you get a minimum of 300txts per month free, top up more and the get to unlimited there are different tariffs that may suit you go to the websites.

also because O2 offer discounts for contract phone customers on their broadband, if you arent a O2 customer you could do what a friend did to get cheap BB. get a contract O2 phone on the cheap basic package, as soon as you get the number go online and buy the broadband at half price useing the contract phone number, as soon as you get conformation of your BB account and paid the first months fee, send the mobile back under the 14 day cancellation period and make sure you all this within 14 days it is do able. you BB will stay at the discount rate as you did have a O2 at time of purchase. when your contract comes to a end either do as before or it may not change!

does you bank account have needless insurance your never going to use like phone cover and charge you £10 a month? cancel it.

what extra's have you got on your car insurance like brake down, £35- £50 extra on your policy! can you find it cheaper with someone else and cancel that part on renewal?

like said hunt for cheaper gas electric suppliers.

places like where you shop for food, Morrie's? Little's? foodsfarm? (you get who i mean?) some places are different than others in terms of price!

does your car outserve its purpose too big for your need now and future and own it outrite? if so sell private? buy smaller more cost effective vehicle? with a used/dealership cheaper tax petrol usage and insurance!

can you put the CB into a credit union and save that for emergencies? if a washer goes or fridge, you wont break the bank and worrie how your gunna pay for it.

get packed lunch for your child buy meat from local butchers (i found them allways cheaper than highstreet) and veg from local grocer! making these adjustments might save you a few hundred a year, whilst saving for the misshaps and brakedowns of electrical.

home contents is it cheaper else where? and covered for internal water pipes!! i must add this some dont and the cost of replacing a water supply from your front garden boundry to your house can cost ££££!

are you on a water meter? if its just you and one child no one home during the day then you may save go to your water suppliers website and use their usage calculator.

what do you have lying around in the attic guitars/instraments? old LP's and stereo? old PC? old computer consoles and games? old TV? could they be sold on ebay? CD's? clothes?

sell those money into saving fund with the CB boost it up. any one selling anything interesting really cheap you know you can get more for? invest a few quid to make a few quid!

welshmoneylover

gabby71 wrote: »

Hi All

- my daughters dad is on the scene and helps out here and there but has not had a job for a few years so nothing coming in from him unfortunately...

Thanks again guys

Gab.x

You are entitled to at least £5 from him (or JSA) towards yours daughters maintenance.

Indie_Kid

gabby71 wrote: »

Hammyman - what is an SoA on the DFW board?

SOA = statement of affairs. Basically list what money you have incoming, debts and other costs.

DFW = Debt Free Wannabe board.

Incyder

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

get packed lunch for your child buy meat from local butchers

Yeah, every child needs a couple of chops and a slab of tripe for lunch. :rotfl:

libbysmum_2

if you go on the website direct.gov and search for benefit advisor you can do a calculation to work out what tax credits and help you should be entititled to, it is really accurate and a step by step calcualtion as i use these at work as i work as a welfare to work provider and also for myself previously when i found out if i cut my hours so did one day a week less then i would still pick up the same money.

As for some comments on here, come on folks it doesnt matter about the father, at least the OP is doing something for her money the government should actually try to help these people who are working fulltime and having hardly anything at the end of the month rather than those who sit on their backsides all day and have 40 inch tvs and boob jobs for christmas

OP i really hope you get this sorted, if you want me to do a calculation on the site the just pm me x

gabby71

Hi

Thanks again to everyone for your input!

Just did a SoA - not looking good - it leaves me around £30 per month (gulp!)

Apart from getting rid of Sky (basic package) there is not a lot else I can lose - I am currently paying back arrears with npower for dual fuel so can't move supplier at present, all other expenses are necessities.

I am due for a mid term pay review in April so will have to be especially nice to my boss

Gab. x