How to make ends meet?

Debt_Free_Chick

Or-roit, bab?!

Former Brummie here and very sad to hear how tough things are "back home" for you both. Jaguar Land Rover seem to be doing well (record profit announced today) so keep an eye on their careers website

Amanda65

carpedieme wrote: »

my husband has worked in offices and warehouse delivery jobs ( only had two jobs in his lifetime all long term ) .

Who / what type of company has he worked for?

Spendless

carpedieme wrote: »

The DWP tell us we cannot get income or contribution based JSA as my salary is too high

Contribution based JSA has nothing to so with a partners salary! However I was once told something similar by the 1st person I approached in the job centre that I couldn't claim as I had a working husband. I replied that I was looking to claim JSA CB that was based on my own NI contributions and were nothing to do with my hubby's salary and she then told me to go to desk C on hte 1st floor- where I successfully claimed! Double check this. IIRC the current years that you need to have paid sufficient NI contributions are 2009/10 and 2010/11. It might be that because your husband has been working p-time he hasn't paid sufficiently in the relevant years.

How many hours do you work? Unless it's changed recently I think you might be able to claim tax credits if you work 30+ hours and your salary is low paid enough.

Do you own your home outright or is it mortgaged or rented? If it's rented you might be able to claim housing benefit. You could also look to see if you can claim council tax benefit.

marisco_2

I have to live to quite a tight budget, so can empathise with how you feel about trying to make ends meet.

My income wont be rising for the forseable so I looked at my outgoings and worked out where I could make cutbacks. My mobile phone bills were high so I got myself onto a better tarriff and made that more manageable.

I made sure I was getting the best deals possible for all my utilities. I also became far more careful at home over the amount of gas, electric and water I was using.

Do you use Sky, can you downgrade to the most basic package? Is the amount you pay for home and car insurance really competitive?

Have a look on the Old Style boards. Following their advice has helped me cut right down on my food shopping bill per month.

Would you qualify for council tax benefit now your household income is much lower? I hope your husband manages to secure a new job soon. It is really tough out there at the moment.

carpedieme

Hi thanks again for all the comments. We do not have a sky package, we have already downgraded tv internet phone package with virgin down to the most basic, my mobile phone is only ten pounds a month and DH doesnt have one, we are very careful with all our utilities. I work 25 hrs a week due to health problems and we have a mortgage with ten years left to run, thank goodness we have no debts, I really can t see what we can cut back on except eating, we shop very carefully anyway!:( We have rechecked on the benefit situation and my DH definetly cant slaim for anything. He is looking for any kind of employment, he worked in a warehouse environment previously.

[Deleted User]

With all due respect to everyone hear, how can the OP say her family is struggling (as they can't claim to to the DH not paying enough contributions), despite him working his career over two jobs! Yet immigrents and other people living in our country can claim all sorts. Seems so wrong to me.

And please don't judge me for saying this as I do understand why immigrents come to our country and why we should support them, but I find it appalling that people living here paying and contributing whatever much to our tax system get penalised.

Bizarre.

carpedieme

as to the above post we are NOT immigrants ( although I have nothing against them whatsoever ) My husband has not had two careers, the reason he had a PART TIME JOB WAS BECAUSE THAT WAS ALL HE COULD GET. I have worked in the same employment for over thirty years and my husband has only had two jobs in his whole life, I will ignore the above post, by the way, we dont come from birmingham,:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Carpedieme, I apologise i think you have misunderstood me, I was trying to support your original post and didnt you think you were an immigrant or otherise. I was under the impression your husband was a hard working sole who had two jobs over his career and you would struggling despite this.

again, nothing against immigrants but I feel as a country we should serve our own first, then help others in any waywe can. my view only.

claire16c

What on earth has this post got to do with immigrants? Sounds like something out of the Daily Hate...

Anyway - OP I dont know much about benefits but is there nothing you are able to claim if you have a health condition?

On a bit of a long shot - could you move house and down size if thats possible? I only suggest that as you say your kids are grown up, perhaps you have a bigger house than you now need - could that make you mortgage free?

hope your DH finds a job soon.

tori.k

Is setting up his own cottage industry an idea, does he have any hobbie's that he could turn into an income? I've seem some beautiful bit's that have been made out of reclaimed pallets, does he have a decent car? would private hire taxi be an option (really no money in hackney at the moment) DIY? I noticed a local handyman advert had been put up in our area offering to make up pre-packed furniture, something I will keep in mind after it took DH a year to make my last chest of drawers.

Would taking in a lodger be an option now the kid's have flown the nest?