Worried About The Future...

bitsandpieces

Popperwell wrote: »

If I do Mum's probate there will be approx £17,000 in savings but they'll charge me approx £100 a week rent initially, with 25% discount on the Community Charge approx £1,010 annually so over the year that's approx £6,210(?)and obviously I still have to pay for food and utility bills(I'm trying to find a cheap deal on duel fuel)it's not going to take long for Mum's money to reduce...

You've been living on benefits previously and surviving OK? Having access to these savings when they come through shouldn't worsen your situation, and may leave you a bit better-off in the long term. Speak to CAB in June to discuss your concerns, but I really don't think you need to panic about finances.

I only have a DAB Radio, a computer, a TV. I switch everything off as soon as I am finished(It's become an obession to do so)I only use the washer occasionally. I have one energy saving light that I use for safety on the landing that shines into all the bedrooms and the toilet/bathroom, the landing, the stairs and the hall(I try to avoid putting the main oven on or do meals that take ages to cook)I now use a microwave and/or a microwave combi. I have just purchased a halogen oven(they say you can cook a full chicken in 40 minutes)and uses less up to 50% less electric...

And yet I am still using 5 units of electric daily and I think that works out still at £10 per week. And I only put the gas heating on perhaps 2 hours when it's not warm and that uses approx 2 units of gas daily and that come in around £7 weekly. If I don't put it on it still uses 1 unit for the pilot light.

I feel as though I have stepped back 50-60 years.

To try and stay warm I now wear jumpers from a charity shop, thermal underwear(even Long John's)pyjamas, dressing gown. I fill flasks with water to try and avoid boiling the kettle too often.

I try to eat less or eat cold meals(I have now started to store long life food(vans, packets etc...)to try and avoid having to buy too regularly, filled the fridge/freezer as much as I can and the cupboards with soup and similar items...I'm trying to get more than one meal out of what I eat and portion it out so it lasts longer. And I bought just about every low cost item on sale in Tesco's as their "Every day range!"

Saving money is all very well (and cutting phone bills etc. is smart) but - to be blunt - a lot of what you're doing here is a really bad idea; I'm worried that you could make yourself ill. To cut back on essentials like food, light and heat won't do you any good. I can't see why you would want to do this to yourself - are you doing this because you stand to inherit a fairly large amount of money? If you're panicking about being accused of deprivation of capital, I really can't see anyone challenging your spending money on essentials like food and heating - unless you're buying lobsters daily! If you're trying to leave an inheritance, I'm sure that any heirs worth their salt would be horrified that you were leaving yourself cold and hungry for their sakes.

Maybe you could get some advice and support from your church or your GP? I don't know if you're feeling like this because you're down after your loss. Please, though, don't make yourself ill by trying not to spend any money at all!

Popperwell

Thanks for your concern...I received help because of my health but also because my bank account is low but Mum's savings will take me over the threshold(I mentioned earlier its likely to be £17,000)and the rent and CT will soon see that reduce.

When I say eat less I try to eat well but not burning the calories off I don't need as much and I try to make it go further...don't forget with Mum passing this household has lost extra income already.

Anything I have purchased is with the intention they will hopefully last me years as I may not be able to consider such purchases in the future...

No one to leave any money to...

bitsandpieces

I'm still not entirely understanding things - it doesn't sound like your financial situation is as bad as you think it is, though. Maybe see if CAB (or another organisation - maybe your church can suggest someone?) can sit down with you to work out a realistic budget: sitting in the dark and cold can't be doing you much good, and I don't think you need to do this!

When you say you're not burning many calories, why not? If your health allows you to get out of the house for walks etc., you really should do so even if you need to eat more as a result - good for your physical and mental health! Even if you're overweight and wanting to lose weight, I'd be very cautious about doing it in these circumstances - you need to make sure you're getting the nutrition you need.

You've had lots of really difficult things happen to you lately and it sounds like life is hard at the moment - with having lost your mum and worrying about the future. Hopefully you can get advice which will take some of the worry away. And - in the meantime - it sounds like you risk making things harder for yourself by living in lousy conditions in order to save relatively small amounts of money: please don't do this! I don't want to get an update in a couple of weeks with you posting about worsening health problems!

jackieb

I agree, we all know this is a money saving site but no-one wants you to have a pitiful existence. It's all well and good trying to be frugal, but you shouldn't worry yourself so much about it. You have just lost your Mum and your feelings must be magnified right now. Relatively small things can seem like huge hurdles, especially if you're dwelling to them.

Popperwell

jackieb wrote: »

I agree, we all know this is a money saving site but no-one wants you to have a pitiful existence. It's all well and good trying to be frugal, but you shouldn't worry yourself so much about it. You have just lost your Mum and your feelings must be magnified right now. Relatively small things can seem like huge hurdles, especially if you're dwelling to them.

I agree with all that you say Jackie...if I get sorted perhaps all will be ok and not as bad as I fear but I still think i'll have to be more careful now...

Most of the problems have been forced on me...luckily, I've never been a person that wants much materialistically just ask to be able to eat reasonably well and stay warm, if I have a pc, radio and tv(can afford an odd CD...)I'm happy...

Popperwell

Two bills arrived today from British Gas, the second was to be added to the first and for 58 days they have charged me(and it's accurate because I gave meter readings)£146.26! The advisor thought that was quite good. That still works out at £2.52 per day. But he says that I am approx two thirds down on what we were spending when Mum was here.

Now, he has suggested trying an on line tariff that offers 4% discount with British Gas for duel fuel...but then he said the cheapest deal can be obtained by doing gas/electric through Sainsbury's Energy(which is still run by British Gas)but it's still cheaper than signing up with them directly...

More things to consider...

I'm away to the bank to pay the bill now, then at least I am upto date.

The next bill will probably be the electric(but that is approx £100 in credit)I don't know how either, so that may cover quite a lot of what it will be. Then the phone bill(£130+ approx)the last with BT before I switched to the same place that gives me the internet.

Then for a little while I may be left alone apart from sorting out the rent/probate/community tax situation...

Lucky that I still had just enough in the house to cover this bill and put aside for the telephone bill...

Popperwell

I've had a quote from Sainsbury's regarding duel fuel..doesn't seem cheap to me and is as confusing as ever...It's still coming out at around £1,500 or the year for both...

jackieb

Have you considered going through a site like Quidco to get some cashback as well? I mean take into consideration the best value option for you, and don't just go by the money you'll get back, but sometimes you can get a pretty penny back (eventually!)

Popperwell

I don't have a printer that works :-(

jackieb

You don't need a printer to do that though.