Advice needed on a realistic budget please

GeorgieFTB

me73 wrote: »

Thanks Fakeplastic and Annisele for your comments about my daughter's contribution. Annisele, I will use your points to try and work out a reasonable amount to suggest to her. As you say, the debts and the children aren't her responsibility, so I do feel mean asking her for more. She does help out here and there too, and she is paying to redecorate her own bedroom (although she does expect me to do it all, despite saying she would help!)

I suppose I am a bit too soft financially with the kids, but I do feel that I have to try and 'compete' somewhat with their dad, who seems to have much more spare cash than me.

My Mum had the same sort of issues as you do... only she ended up being fair on us kids, well I think so...

Full time education no rent due... she wanted us to stay on as long as possible...
Or £30 a week/ third of take home pay, which ever was more... so even if we were on JSA still had to find board money!

Don't compete for your kids love, you are above that, they are above that! When their world comes crashing down, either teenager drama or really have issues, then they need a mum who can help, not just throw money at them and hope it goes away!
(That did come out harsher than I meant but I don't know how to re-word it to get my message across so please don't take offence, I was trying for pep talk)

Gx

RAS

me73 wrote: »

RAS - unfortunately I don't have that long to sort things out, as I don't get any benefits for my youngest two. After no.2 daughter leaves college next Sept I won't get any benefits at all.

Who does get the benefits?