Newbie in need of some help

orangesmartie

with regard to phone/BB check out pMartin's tips primus do phone for about £8.99 line rental and plusnet do BB for about £7p/m.

If you use the phone a lot for calls, particularly to family/friends, consider installing skype on your computer and using that instead. May also save money on your mobile.

dfwnewbie2011

The LL has said we can move out early if they find a new tenant and we pay £460 admin fee (is this a reasonable amount) I did realise there would be some costs involved but as this is my first house never knew how much so got no idea!
I am going to use the turn to us website you've suggested and look at the phone thing.

Problem I have with jobs is at the moment I work at my family buisness I am happy to get another job but no one wants me as I cant be as flexable as they would like ....I got offered one interview but never got anything from that...:(

atush

If your family won't give you more hours that you need to survive, then give another employer all the flexibility you have.

Keep looking, there are jobs out there if you look hard enough.

dfwnewbie2011

I have been looking and applying for as much as I can but I dont drive so is a downfall for some jobs - and again if I get a job I get less benefits so untill I move I have to tread carefully about this.
I dont want to live off benefits forever but atm they are almost half our income...and we are struggling with what we have iyswim

TUS

Don't let 'getting less benefits' put you off looking for a job - when you have a household income under, say 25k, the ratio of benefits:wages evens it self out whether you only work 16 hours or a full 37.5 - though do bare in mind you'll may have childcare to think about as well - it's really not that scary though.

My husband works full time (I've hijacked his user ID) and I'm a stay-at-home-mother and whether I went back to work full time and had to pay childcare costs, we'd be better off by £56 per month in comparison to what we're getting now - though I'm fortunate enough to be able to let that £56 extra per month go to be able to raise my 3 children until the youngest is in reception - though I do voluntary work and study so when I do return to work my prospects are better..

Anyway, definitely look into what benefits you're entitled to though as that seems really low to me - does your partner get any tax credits due to his low income? Child tax credits you presumeably get.. Housing benefit (or LHA) - how many bedrooms is your house - you're only entitled to LHA for a 2 bedroomed, if you have a 3 bedroomed the council won't allow you extra LHA to help you afford to live in an under occupied property, council tax benefit?

All things to mull over.

I do sympathise though, I know only too well how hard it is to move out and set-up home for the first time, it's very daunting.. I got my own flat when I was 17 and pregnant and only earning £3.20ph working 15 hours per week - I got into a shocking mess, but coming out the other side now

Good luck , let us know how you get on with those various calculators..

Mrs. TUS