Confused about tax credits!

Sam____2

BoroPhil wrote: »

Its about helping people get their entitlement! Not about benefits policy!

This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement.


pretty much sums it up?

it's also about giving people advice... I did. It's not for you to judge who's advice is worthy and who's isn't.
I could think of a word that sums you up

BoroPhil

Awesome ?

Sam____2

diet_pepsi wrote: »

So much for being NICE to moneysavers... (but thank you for the polite replies).

Salary 1 £2,000.00
Salary 2 £1,280.00
Child Benefit £81.00
TOTAL £3,361.00


Mortgage 1 £750.00
Mortgage 2 £650.00
Gas £30.00
Elec £40.00
Water £35.00
Council Tax £100.00
Car 1 (tax, MOT, Ins) £70.00
Car 2 (tax, MOT, Ins) £45.00
Petrol £260.00
Internet/Phone/TV £45.00
Mobile phone x 2 £40.00
Nursery £730.00
Groceries (inc. nappies etc...) £300.00
Dog £40.00
Motorbike tax/mot/ins £80.00
Aerobics Class £20.00
Beer/wine £40.00
House Insurance 1 £20.00
House Insurance 2 £20
TOTAL £3,315.00

As you can see BoGoF, there are no holidays included, no expensive Sky TV (we have basic Virgin package with broadband - so no exciting channels), no meals out. My OH has a 40" TV (It's old, so not worth selling). No PS3 but we do have an old wii.

The wine/beer money is because we don't go out, so enjoy a bottle of wine at weekends.

Thankfully the empty property is council tax exempt for a bit longer, as otherwise that'll be another £50 for my half.

The motorbike belongs to my OH, and obviously it needs to be insured.

Most our outgoings are things that can't be changed. £57k may be a large income, but it's not like we're frivolous with our money

Oh, and I can't drop the price of the property for sale as my ex refuses. He is happy to leave it on the market and wait for a buyer. I just hope interest rates don't rise!

your ex other half pays half the mortgage on your property so that would be an extra few hundred a month no?

get rid of the motor bike, mobiles, broadband, aerobics and booze etc and you've saved a fortune. That's not being rude, it's being practical!!!

BoGoF

You could chop £200 of those outgoings in 5 minutes...you need 2 cars and a motorbike ?

Sam____2

BoroPhil wrote: »

Awesome ?

that wasn't the word, but I'm trying to be polite so will refrain

diet_pepsi

The ex pays the other half of the mortgage. The £650 is my half! It was taken over a short time period, hence the payments are high. He's not willing to change it over to interest only.

The phone tariffs can't be cancelled unfortunately, but are very much used to communicate who is picking DS up from nursery. No call charges on top of that.

We need 2 cars for commuting in different directions. The motorbike is my OHs one hobby, and it isn't going anywhere! I think he'd get rid of me before the bike(!), but I guess that would solve the problem, as I could just move back into my property and be far better off financially!

The aerobics can go but won't make much difference. Ditto for the booze, and this is instead of going out to the pub.

I guess I'm just frustrated at how better off we'd be not living as a couple!

BoGoF

It seems like you're letting your ex call all the shots regarding the other property....is he living there and that's why he's reluctant to sell. Have you taken legal advice ? It may seem a drastic step but have you considered witholding your share for a month or two?

Sam____2

OP, i know it sucks when you see people on benefits apear to be better off, but at least your doing an honest days work, paying your own way and setting a cracking example for your kiddie.
Things wont always be this tough, the house will sell (when it does you'll have over £600 more per month!!) and your wee one will be at school before you know it.
Sometimes things are hard, but at the end of the day, it just makes you apreciate what you have that little bit more because you've done it off your own back

diet_pepsi

BoGoF wrote: »

It seems like you're letting your ex call all the shots regarding the other property....is he living there and that's why he's reluctant to sell. Have you taken legal advice ? It may seem a drastic step but have you considered witholding your share for a month or two?

I've taken legal advice, and without spending a LOT of money that I don't have, there is NOTHING I can do. Things are amicable, and I don't want to rock the boat...

He was living there for the last few years, and paid rent, of which was deducted from the mortgage payment. The idea was it would stay like this until the property was sold.

He then moved the goal posts and moved abroad (he's not English), thus no more rent subsidising my half of the mortgage!

I can't withhold my share of the mortgage as I do not wish to damage my credit rating, as OH and I would like to buy together at some point once I have cut all financial ties with my ex.

The property has about 30% equity, so the mortgage company should agree to an interest only mortgage, but my ex isn't willing to do this just yet.

I know it seems like I'm letting him call all the shots and walk all over me, but for the sake of keeping things amicable, it's worth it, and getting stroppy with him just wouldn't acheive anything, and only make things worse.

diet_pepsi

Sam___ wrote: »

OP, i know it sucks when you see people on benefits apear to be better off, but at least your doing an honest days work, paying your own way and setting a cracking example for your kiddie.
Things wont always be this tough, the house will sell (when it does you'll have over £600 more per month!!) and your wee one will be at school before you know it.
Sometimes things are hard, but at the end of the day, it just makes you apreciate what you have that little bit more because you've done it off your own back

Thanks for this!

There is light at the end of the tunnel when the property sells, but it's just the frustration in the mean time.

It's just almost laughable that all I have to do is move back into my own property with DS until it sold. It's not like we'd be far away, and given my OH is out the house from 7am until 6pm, it's not like he sees much of DS during the week anyway! lol!