My monthy expenses and how can I improve?

Maximum_Saving

I am a mum of a disabled boy. He needs a lot of care day and night. He is in a wheelchair and is often off to see different hospitals. For that reason he get Disability Living Allowance and I get Carer's Allowance because I can his carer.

theoretica

You don't say how many adults and children this covers, which is rather important to know if things like groceries are reasonable. The first thing that stands out is that you have about £340 more down as incoming than as spending - which is great if it is true. Do you have this left at the end of each month? If not you will need to adjust your spending to reflect reality - look at old bank statements and keep a spending diary to see where it has been going.

The first place I think you could improve expenses if you wanted is drinks for home. Ouch. Followed by pet costs at £50 for foor + £20 other costs. Are these anything you could shop around for or bulk buy? Are you making the most of the hobby expense too?

You have relatively low petrol cost for owning a car - have you considered if you really need your own - would buses, taxis, hire car, or a city car/zip car if available in your area work out better for you? It is worth thinking about this and doing the calculations. Also have a plan for when your car dies!

life_unexpected_2

Hi maximum saving though you've posted SOA doesn't given any detail about household but here is what stood out to me.

Between, home phone, internet and cable TV you are spending just over £50 have you looked around to see if you can get a cheaper deal or down grade your package.

£50 for book, Film, computer and DVDs a month seems a lot, could you not join a library.

Also Water rate are you on a meter or yearly bill. If it's a bill would a meter be cheaper. Mine is £50 but with 4 in the house plus DD friends using the place like a hotel I wouldn't get a meter as dread to think what the cost could be.

Maximum_Saving

Thanks for your reply.

I am a 40 year old lady and I live with my 5 year old disabled son and my 3 year old daughter.

My son is in a wheelchair and before I passed my driving test in 2010 many buses wouldn't take him.

My dogs are poodles and they must have hair cuts every 10 weeks. I am useless at cutting the fur myself.

Maximum_Saving

Thanks for replying.

I have just got Income Support and would like to get BT Basic but they wouldn't accept me having calls with AOL.

We are a vegan family. My kids drink soya drink and I like to drink cranberry juice.

McKneff

If you are getting £300 regularly from family on a monthly basis, I think this could affect your benefits, not sure though, someone may come along and clarify.
If it is the case and its going into your bank, you could be in trouble
if they ever ask to see your bank statements.

BillTrac

Is this thread for real?

Just asking as the majority of your income is benefits/taxpayer funded. Over £2000 per month! Why do you have/need travel insurance? What's with the big days out? Garden maintenance? Drinks for home, surely that comes with the shopping or is that additional? Get rid of the sat/dig tv. Your poodles do NOT need cutting every 10 weeks, not as if poodles moult, and if they do then you should learn how to cut them yourself.

Seems to me that you want the good life without the means to pay for it.

merlot123

BillTrac wrote: »

Is this thread for real?

Just asking as the majority of your income is benefits/taxpayer funded. Over £2000 per month! Why do you have/need travel insurance? What's with the big days out? Garden maintenance? Drinks for home, surely that comes with the shopping or is that additional? Get rid of the sat/dig tv. Your poodles do NOT need cutting every 10 weeks, not as if poodles moult, and if they do then you should learn how to cut them yourself.

Seems to me that you want the good life without the means to pay for it.

We don't judge on this board, go over to the benefit bashing board if you want to do that kind of thing.

You have no idea what this OP is dealing with on a daily basis with a disabled son and a young child. She came here for help, not for you to air your views on people receiving benefits.

I have reported this thread to MSE .

OP - do come back, don't let a few people put you off.

System

Maximum_Saving wrote: »

Benefits (Inc. Child Benefit/Tax Credits & Income Support). . . . . . . . . . . 1,655.41

:eek:our country is a laughing stock

paulwellerfan

this is a wind up....

life_unexpected_2

The OP said that she has only just come on to Jobseekers which would that she was working or a SAHM before this. She is also caring for a disabled son.

I presumed the £300 was maintenance from children's father, which I'm not sure affects benefits but I'm sure someone else can answer this.

Looking again drinking at home could be reduced this is very high for one adult and what are the hobbies as £31 is expensive.

Do you have any college locally that run pet groom ing courses as if so these will do your poodles for free, very cheap.