How much do you live on per month?

Evren

Other than rent,
£20 on gas/electric
£10 on Water
£40-60 on food.
£10 internet

I just wonder how many people will look at younger people on benefits, and consider them low-lifes, and not even trying....Heh.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

*Watching* Coffee in hand will post.

Doubtful_Guest

I don't want to steer this off-topic but I really wanted to reply to some of the comments about benefits.

For what it's worth, I think the problem is that nowadays the government seeks to solve problems with money in benefits rather than providing services. People get extra cash in benefits payments for certains circumstances but the money doesn't actually provide a solution to the problems that those circumstances create.

For example, my wife gets DLA because of her disability. But our problem is that instead of DLA money, we really need more support for her so I can stop having to be around so much of the time to care/help her and get back to work. I really want to get a job again. I miss the money and I miss seeing other people and getting out of the house. We'd much rather have services than extra cash - supported employment for her maybe ? Or drop-in day service ? Supported volunteering ? But there are none available and the cash isn't sufficient to buy in private services. The government has closed down all sorts of social services schemes to save money. If we could manage to move closer to family, then they'd be able to help but trying to move across country and find appropriate housing etc while on benefits is nearly impossible. People on benefits get stuck because money isn't enough to help them make the changes they need to get out of the benefits trap.

The same with single mums. I bet lots of them would rather be out at work or in training but the cost of good quality childcare is unbelievable. It's understandable that mums would rather look after their kids themselves if the alternative is an overworked, underpaid nursery worker with hardly any training. Instead of just bumping up benefits payments when women have babies, provide some decent services to actually solve some of their problems.

Moneymash

Yes Beachie,

Thanks for the correction. I meant to say 6 x 1 litre cartons of fruit juice for £4 from Asda. I should think more about getting some fresh fruit into my budget and diet.

bugslet

Thanksfor that Doubtful - it was really interesting to hear from someone from the coalface, so to speak.

The problem with benefits as I see it, is that - and there isn't any way round it that I can think of - is that is a one size fits all approach. Ther are people who are terribly demoralised by their inability after 25 years of working to get a job, those who studied to get a job and despite applying for everything from a Mac job to a trainee manager, can't get a toe on the employment ladder. Women, who through circumstances not of their own doing, end up living on one wage with a partner who won't contribute to their child's upkeep and then lose their job. The reverse side of the coin are those who can't be bothered to get off their backsides to look for work and teenagers who see their friends get a council house purely because they got pregnant and follow suit because they either don't know any better or because it makes as much financial sense as slogging your insides out for not much. But the benefit system can't differentiate between the two types of people.

One thing I have never had an answer for is pre recession we had at its lowest 950,000 unemployed and 750,000 registered EU workers, most of whom were working. Most of them were not brain surgeons either, usually they worked in factories and as waitresses. So if you are coming from a foreign land and your language skills are OK, but not fluent, why is it you can get a job when a UK resident can't?

I think the black economy accounts for a lot more than we realise or admit. I'm not going to get po-faced about cash in hand ( let he has no guilt cast the first stone and all that:o), and let's face it there is enough evasion from the big companies that even I get to stage where I think sod it. If you look at all the tradesmen ( only the other week I paid a plumber cash for a small job - I don't know if he put it through the books or not, but I doubt it), mobile hairdressers, people doing a couple of hours for a mate - the black economy is huge. There will be people who are totally off the system - paying no tax and claiming no benefits and people who are claiming and earning a varying degree of extra cash.

To anwer the OP, though, £275.00 p.w. £150.00 towards food, pet care, going out, toiletries and odds and ends and the remainder accounts for mortgage ( which is overpayed) and various DDs. That leaves me with some to save or spend or chip a a credit card.

miggy

beachie wrote: »

There are 3 things that are needed when on benefits - shelter (should not be luxury!), essential food (like milk, bread and veg, not coke, chocolate and beer!) and water.

Clothing? Medication? Access to transport?

What you can live on for a few weeks in an emergency is very different from longer-term needs. I'm not talking designer this that and the other. What do you do when your shoes are in holes? When you need antibiotics? If you live in a rural area and need to get to the shops?

And while water's great - how would you feel if you had only cold water to drink/wash in, in November and you couldn't afford to put the heating on? A small amount of leeway is essential if we are to call ourselves a civilised society.

skyvicky123

BoroPhil wrote: »

so what should happen to 'young uneducated girls, pregnant at 16', out of interest? and do they really all get shiny new homes?

In my village they do. I paid £190K for my house and yet a lady I know who is 19 and doesn't work / has never worked has a housing association house literally 5 doors up from me. Similar size. Totally brand new as in never been lived in before in a sought after village. All rent free because she is a single mother with 2 kids.

Now don't get me wrong, i don't know her personal situation but I can't help thinking how lucky she is to have a house just like mine but not have to pay a penny for it!

I know people (not just seen them, I know them personally) who claim benefits when in reality they are capable of working in some capacity at least. I know another who refused to put the father's name on her son's birth certificate so she would be entitled to more benefits. Other's work self employed for years getting 20K plus per year and never declare a penny. Even high earners who only put 50% of their earnings through their tax returns. The rest taken in cash. There are MANY benefit cheats and serial tax evaders out there believe me.

If all of those people were identified and made to contribute then surely it would make life easier for the rest of us, taxed to the hilt, and working hard.

snookey

Well if thats fact and you know report them. As for the young mother she will never own the property but you will own yours.

Lucy1010

skyvicky123 wrote: »

In my village they do. I paid £190K for my house and yet a lady I know who is 19 and doesn't work / has never worked has a housing association house literally 5 doors up from me. Similar size. Totally brand new as in never been lived in before in a sought after village. All rent free because she is a single mother with 2 kids.

Now don't get me wrong, i don't know her personal situation but I can't help thinking how lucky she is to have a house just like mine but not have to pay a penny for it!

I know people (not just seen them, I know them personally) who claim benefits when in reality they are capable of working in some capacity at least. I know another who refused to put the father's name on her son's birth certificate so she would be entitled to more benefits. Other's work self employed for years getting 20K plus per year and never declare a penny. Even high earners who only put 50% of their earnings through their tax returns. The rest taken in cash. There are MANY benefit cheats and serial tax evaders out there believe me.

If all of those people were identified and made to contribute then surely it would make life easier for the rest of us, taxed to the hilt, and working hard.

THANK YOU!!! I rest my case!!!!

Lucy1010

snookey wrote: »

Well if thats fact and you know report them. As for the young mother she will never own the property but you will own yours.

Doesn't make a single difference because whether she owns it or not she can stay there for as long as she wants without the burden of having to clear her mortgage.... oh and here's another sickening fact and I will not have anyone tell me this isn't true...

My friend's sister has just had A COMPLETELY NEW KITCHEN AND BATHROOM fitted into her housing association house COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE. The old kitchen was ripped down, including the ceiling and floor and everything was fitted from scratch! New ceiling, new floor, they ripped everything out and started again. There was nothing wrong with the old kitchen or bathroom. I have been informed that this is part of housing association maintenance and is carried out every 10 years.

I can't afford to fit a new kitchen and bathroom every 10 years and I earn a bloody good salary!

Sorry for the CAPS but it just doesn't seem fair