Please can somebody help - getting desperate!

viktory

Hmmm, I am managing to keep a family of three adults on considerably less than you, my rent is much higher than your mortgage and I always, always, always pay my council tax! The one is totally essential.

I cancelled my pension, I'll reinstate it when I am able and have cancelled anything that is not essential and got lowers prices on things like home contents insurance, pet insurance, gas and electric. My husband had a loan - we are now paying the bare minimum on this (with their agreement); same for his credit card. You need to cancel all non essentials and sell one of the cars.

Your children should be breaking their backs trying to get work - any work to help you.

lemontree

Five years ago my modest income was reduced by 50% due to a major operation and I have been unable to work since.
I am not entitled to any benefits as according to the experts I am 20 pounds per month above poverty level and I accept this. Please look at the items that you now consider essential and some of them probably are not.
It is always possible to manage on whatever income you have.
I do not owe any money to anyone that is because I do not have anything that i cannot afford.
Please do not think I am judging you. I am only trying to help.

MissMoneypenny

alexisemma31 wrote: »

You think £500 for houselhold bills is a lot? £150 gas & electric, £60 water, union payment, house insurance, car insurance (x2), telephone, boiler insurance, contact lenses, and there's probably more than I;ve mentioned here.

I think £500 is a lot too. As said before, get over to the debt free wannabe board and let them help you.

alexisemma31 wrote: »

I have been paying £160 a month (£20 each a week x2) for the kids' bus fares to college, but they have finished after this week, so that will be a little more. (but have to fund son's uni accommodation from sept!!)

A bit late now, but as you have 2 cars and your husband hasn't worked since November, why didn't he take them to college and make a huge savings on this £40 fares a week; or your children take the car and drive themselves as your husband didn't need his car?

I know it will be hard to cut down after you have been use to 2 good wages, but many have done it before you. It can be done.

Re your 18 and 19 year old, they are adults and I know you want to shelter them, but they need to pull their weight too in your family. If you try to do it all, you will make yourself ill.

BTW, I was a really mean mum and made mine get jobs when they were at school. I did two paper rounds every school day when I was 11 and I wanted my children to enjoy that feeling of earning their own money too.

MissMoneypenny

PasturesNew wrote: »

£250 is interest only mortgage payment
£350 home improvement loan
£130 council tax,
£500 houselhold bills
£200 a month for petrol,
£100 food
£100 misc car allowance
====
£1630

So, what are you doing with the £1800-£1630 = £170?

Have you been claiming child benefit, as that is another £146.03 pcm (£33.70pw)?

How about child tax credits, have you been claiming them too?

Is there something else that your children claim (£30 per week each) for staying on at school? EMA?

Gingerbiscuit_2

Your 18 and 19 should be still getting child benefit or JSA if not in full time education which they should give you a share of for food and bills. Its not up to you to fund your 19y uni education that is what loans and cards are for, not to be mean but when you are struggling to put a roof over your head this is what you need to worry about.

Think time to really look at what you can do without, such as boiler insurence, although it is riskly things like not paying your council tax are million times worth the hassle and bailifs, ditto how much are you paying in contacts lens? I know glasses are not best for ever one but for a short term fix it all helps. Ditto look at mobile phone bills, talk to the kids about who pays for what and if you can save there.

We all had to make hard decisions about things we need to do without, it can be done but its not nice! Good luck

Blobby8_2

http://kenndungu.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/taking-steps-to-prepare-for-the-worst/

Too late for you I fear, but may prompt some to address their spendthrift lifestyles.

Blobby8_2

http://www.goggles4u.co.uk/

Around £7.98 for a pair of specs, probably less than half of what your paying per month for lenses.

Oldernotwiser

alexisemma31 wrote: »

Some great ideas, thanks.

You think £500 for houselhold bills is a lot? £150 gas & electric, £60 water, union payment, house insurance, car insurance (x2), telephone, boiler insurance, contact lenses, and there's probably more than I;ve mentioned here.

I don't have £160 spare I can assure you. Like I said earlier last month was car tax & MOT, so couldn't pay council tax. I have been paying £160 a month (£20 each a week x2) for the kids' bus fares to college, but they have finished after this week, so that will be a little more. (but have to fund son's uni accommodation from sept!!)

I have to agree that £500 pm is a lot, with lots of items (like boiler insurance) that could be cut out until your husband finds work.

Have you asked for your son's student finance to be reassessed since your income dropped? you really can't fund his accommodation on your income; his student finance will have to do that, backed up by a part time job.

You need to involve your children in this situation to a certain extent. They must know that the family income has halved and they need to accept that economies must be made and that the family is all in this together.

skintandscared_2

Disability Living allowance is not means tested and your income won't be taken into account. Depending on your husband's disability, he may be entitled to it. Also, depending on how much your husband needs assistance from you with day to day things, you might be entitled to a carer's allowance?

Oldernotwiser

skintandscared wrote: »

Also, depending on how much your husband needs assistance from you with day to day things, you might be entitled to a carer's allowance?

The OP works full time!