My SOA

Wilma33

Can you get a better paid job (or a job that pays the same but doesn't require a car)? Earning £900 and paying £750 rent is not sustainable.

Of your benefits, how much is for childcare and how much is for rent? I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what your situation will be once your child starts school.

Can you chase CSA for payments from the father?

Can you get a PAYG phone?

evherkes

Hi,
Thanks for the replies and suggestions so far they are much appreciated...
Following on from some of the above bits I've got to add-
I need my car for my work, previously as I was commuting 140m a day, have just got a new job which will save me hugely (138m) however I need my car for this job as I am a support worker but will get paid mileage, this will be put into a separate account just to pay for fuel and car related bits! It's a 1.2 Corsa so it is pretty economical anyway and the APR rate on it is very good - not sure how I blagged that!
My contract phone ends in November so I am changing to a much lower plan of around £20 a month
I didn't add the APR for the M&S card as I don't know what it is I just know it isn't great!
Without sounding sad and lonely I don't have many friends, I spend my time working, looking after my little one or sleeping!
I've already checked and have no PPI claims available, as much as I was hoping there was!
Dad does pay the CSA but most of his earnings go undeclared, which I have told HMRC and CSA but there is nothing they can do!

I get (per month)
£58 CSA
£155 Rent support from Council
£800 Work & Child Tax Credits
£80 Child Benefit

I have already got single person council tax so that its only £100pm and go around turning plugs off every night etc.

I will definitely start looking at the markets and other shops for Fruit & Veg as I usually get mine from Tesco or Sainsburys as it's near my work!

Wilma33

Have you looked into childcare vouchers?

Do you work full time? If so, are you being taxed correctly as I don't think £900 take home is above minimum wage? There is somewhere on this site where you can check your tax code.

How much longer have you got to pay for the car? If work are paying for your fuel then you should only put fuel for social use on your SOA.

Ignoring your debt, you are still spending more than you earn each month.

You can save £100+ on food.

For gas/elec are they the direct debit amounts or the amounts you actually use? Are you in credit/debt? It seems quite high for 1 adult and 1 child.

Have you phoned and asked to lower your mobile tarrif even though it's still in contract?

Personally I think you will have to find somewhere cheaper to rent. You can cut back so far, but the rent (and car) are crippling you.

evherkes

I already have childcare vouchers which is why my pay is low!
I don't understand tax codes at all so I will have a look tomorrow when I can look at a payslip at work!
I think I have 4 years left as my car got written off last year but as the APR is low ands its economical I am happy with the car if nothing else!
I read my meters monthly but its a new place and pay direct debit. Got over £200 back from EDF from my previous property and took its straight off my CC's.
Sadly Orange won't budge until the end of the contact even though I don't use all my minutes.
I am glad for the food advice as I thought I was spending too much on it. I haven't even bought any alcohol this year, as I don't drink at all!
I try and transfer my petrol payments into a different account so it's purely for car use only, in case anything were to go wrong!
I've started looking into little jobs I can do but as a single mother doing an OU course it's tough! Guess I'll end up taking some annual leave and flogging bits on ebay!

psychopathbabble

There is a thread somewhere that the users have set up a website that feeds a family of 4 for £100 per month, tried and tested and proved. It is still a fairly healthy diet and contains the various nutrients we all need.... might be worth you having a look at that?

Not sure where the thread is but the website is http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

Hope you can work it out x

dancingfairy

Have you spken to one of the debt charities? you might be able to do a dmp (debt management plan) - this is not as bad as an IVA/Bankruptcy - yes you will get defaults but like I said it is not as bad and it will drop off after 6 years I think- it's not a permanent thing. What's the problem re the credit checking - do you need to be a fit and proper person or something? It might be worth phoning HR anoymously and asking about how a dmp would be viewed etc. You could also try your National Governing body or any trade body etc.
Best of Luck
df

evherkes

Thank you I will continue looking into these suggestions! They are very much appreciated.
Due to my position at work (clearly not as pay reflects) I need to be "above the law" so to speak so I cannot afford anything that could come back to be used against me extremely frustrating when I have my own life to lead too!

gizmo111

evherkes wrote: »

Thank you I will continue looking into these suggestions! They are very much appreciated.
Due to my position at work (clearly not as pay reflects) I need to be "above the law" so to speak so I cannot afford anything that could come back to be used against me extremely frustrating when I have my own life to lead too!

This is not true for debt - do you work for a local authority or agency? I am a social worker and have to be registered with GSCC just being in debt and manging it formally will not get me struck off - ignoring it will.
Re the car insurance - when you renew try someone like diamond and get their 10 month NCB accelerator plan to reduce the cost - basically they give you a years NCB every 10 months - I was in a similar sitaution as you last year and my car insurance is sky high.
You can reduce food costs.
What are you doing at OU?
When will your daughter get free nursery?
Is it worth you working at present ?

snookey

Emily I know you say you have to be above the law to be a support worker but even if you were in debt it would not affect your job. Im sure if that were the case there would be a lot less care workers as the pay is so low.
Could you not do part time until your little one starts school or start your own childminding.

MoneySaverForever

You have been given such good advice here and I really hope it works for you!
I can't offer much but I do want to give you a hug and say I hope everything works out xxx