how much can i save? can i move?

frugaldances

hello, i am new so hope what im typing is okay etc.

i am a single mum whose contract is ending in middle of june - i recieved a letter askign if i want to renew the contract and i dont want to but if i mvoe it's going to cost at least £1600 to move. if im massively cheap i can save £850 so have another £800 to find. what should i do? i do ann summers parties but can't see how i can make the money from that in that space of time. my bf has offered to help but i dont want to borrow it from him

angelbob

Hi will you not get any rent in advance or deposit back when you move out? x

frugaldances

I got most of my deposit paid by the council (its still private rented) and i paid £400 but i won't get that back in time for when i have to pay the deposit.

FireWyrm

It's hard to say without understanding more about your situation. Perhaps we can offer advice on general finances which could help you save the money instead? Perhaps you could complete an SOA to give us a better idea of the overall picture.

frugaldances

i guess lots of saving tips as i have a budget and know what i have coming in and out. is it possible to live off £200 a month with a baby? I guess advice on how to live off £200 a month would be great that 200 has to include nappies, and food xx

rising_from_the_ashes

frugaldances wrote: »

i guess lots of saving tips as i have a budget and know what i have coming in and out. is it possible to live off £200 a month with a baby? I guess advice on how to live off £200 a month would be great that 200 has to include nappies, and food xx

As FireWyrm suggests post up a SOA http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html and we'll see if we can help.

We need to see the full picture to be able to give advice - eg we know you're on your own so 1 adult, but how many kids?

Families of 4 (2 adults / 2 kids) can manage on £220 / month for food, toiletries, cleaning stuff & nappies, so depending on how many kids there are then £200 should be "doable"

frugaldances

thank you for your post. I have one child who is 2. how much should i be spending on food shopping a monthly food shop? I calculated that i have month 1 £650 left over because its a 5 week month so i get an extra week of pay but then month 2 i have £320 left over and then month 3 i have £500 left over ( i get paid weekly benefits and a monthly wage. if i only spend £200 a month on food and 'extras' then i can save £850 of the £1600 i need. my partner said he can help me with the rest but i also do ann summers parties and want to try and make a big sum from that but doesn't seem very realistic atm as people keep cancelling the parties.

I suppose then the main question is how do you survive off £200 a month with a 2 year old and also i need to find a landlord that will except housing benefit. and i need to let my lettings agency know if im renewing my contract in 2 weeks. I want to move to be nearer to my bf and to get a way from this area.

dancingfairy

Do you have an immeadiate need to move? I guess that rents will be cheaper if you can move but you've obviously got to fund the move somehow. What would possibly work for you is for current contract to expire and then for you to go onto a rolling contract. This happens in law anyway and it means 1) that you don't have to pay to sign another contract and 2) because is is a rolling contract you just have to give the required notice - I think it's 1 month for you and 2 months forthe landlord. Now clearly they could serve you notice and you'd have to move out in another 2 months time but it would give you another 2 months to save up. Are you able to get the contact details for the landlord/landlady and write and explain your situation and ask that you are allowed to stay on? Say that you've been a good tenant (if you have), that you've always paid rent on time, looked after the place, will be happy to allow viewings with notice etc etc.
Not ideal but can you get a short term overdraft or perhaps a small loan from a credit union?
Can you have a good clea out and get ebaying/car booting ready for the move?
Lots of solutions - you just gotta find the right ones for you.
df

dancingfairy

Is the council able to help with a deposit for a new place?
df

frugaldances

the letter said i need to let them no within 14 days of the letter for a 6 month or 12 month contract, dont think i can do a rolling contract. i have until mid june to come up with the money. the council only help u with the deposit when its essential but !!! they said if ive chosen to move out on my own accord then they wont help.think is if i borrow the money off my bf its not good for the relationship. but if i renew my contract thats £120 grrrr and i cant move out till december

frugaldances

i can't get a loan or an overdraft as i have bad credit history (was on a dmp but am now paying it off directly)

even if i have the money im scared another landlord wont take me because of the housing benefit. i have a guarantor but my credit hostory is bad so hope that doesnt also go against me when getting a place