SOA, CCCS, feelin terrible!

amani_2

joolz43 wrote: »

Hi there, welcome to the family; hope you'll get lots of support.

I am with the CCCS and am sure there was an allowance made for clothes, haircuts and the like. Must be really difficult to manage with all of your family, is there any thing you could sell on ebay or at a car boot sale to generate a bit of cash? I am a fine one to talk as really struggling to feed my small family on a reasonable amount but is there any way you can cut back on what you spend in a month on food?

Good luck

HI, yes Im with CCCs just had a look at my sheet with outgoings on and we have been allowed £73 month for clothes and £25 for haircuts, there is me my hubby and 4 children.


AMANI XXX

raq

welcome.

Just wanted to say you are no where near on your own. This site is great for advice so hang in there. We have 3 children and in January couldn't afford my daughters lunch money and that was just for one child. We put her in sandwiches as it was and still is a tight time for us.

There is light and lots of people on here will give brilliant and sound advice for you.

All the best.

skylight

You CAN get free meals on CTC:

Children whose parents receive Income Support (IS); Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA); support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or Child Tax Credit, but who are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and whose annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) that from 6 April 2006 does not exceed £14,155;

So it depends on what you are claiming and household income - so check it out and don't dismiss it cos you aren't claiming income support etc.

If you are under this level of income, you are also entitled to free pescriptions/dental etc. Ask the school for a claims form. You will need to provide proof ie your CTC award notice as it has on there your yearly income.

misspoppy

Hi

sorry to hear your having a tough time. Thinking about your electric bill have you read you're meter and checked that you're bill is correct mine came down by near 25% a few weeks ago.

Hang in there we are all here to support you.

findingmyownway

mama27 wrote: »

Hi everyone

Monthly Incomings:

income

salary (from own business, very ) 850
family tax credits- 900
maint.- 360
child benefit- 350
total income 2460


Monthly Outgoings:

Mortgage/Rent - £500
insurance contents + building- 26
Council Tax - £80
Electric - £160 this is clearly very high! you mentioned above it includes arrears? - how much in total do you owe?
TV License - £10.99
tv etc rental -£35 - this can definatly go. get a cheap TV from the shops or off freecycle or borrow one from a friend.
Phone - £35 mobile? phone your service provider and they will reduce your contract to nearer £20/month, even if you can't change it.
Food - £600 for how many people?? :eek: OK i see you have 7 kids :eek: Have a look on the Old Style board for millions of ideas on how this can still be reduced
water- 8
Car tax - £35
Car Insurance - £60 seems a bit high - check you are getting cheapest
Petrol - £160 again this seems high, can you reduce journeys?
childcare-240 (pls don't ask me to give this up, i have twins!!!)
maintainance- £50 for what? i assume the maintainance you have in 'incomings' is from your childrens father?
church- 20can you really afford this?
mobile *2- £60 this can definatly be reduced as above
ccccs- 300
Total: £2040

we owe 26,000 on credit cards, and this is the 300 we pay the CCCS, but this morning when I had a review with them, the lady made me feel selfish because, although we don't currently spend anything on clothes, birthday pressies etc, I would like to. She didn't seem to think this necessary and I was quite upset after I spoke to her.Oh and she also said we should only be spending a maximum of 40 pounds a month on landline, mobiles and broadband combined. This seems very little, but I have looked at Virgin Media at her recommendation and might swap on Saturday when we have some money. What do you think?
We can't change anyone cos we owe so much, eg on the electric, but any suggestions gratefully received.

Rebecca

Welcome to DFW - you have made a good start.

Theres no mention of broadband fees or anything in your SOA at the moment. I agree Virgin media seem to have a good deal on at the minute but make sure you shop around first.

I think you do need to take into account presents / xmas / car maintainance / kids pocket money / hobbies etc on your SOA. Check out SouthernScousers sticky post for more ideas. It would also help if you details all your debts and APRs etc.

I think the most obvious thing to me is someone needs to get a job! Your business isnt providing enough income to justify the 2 of you working on it. You are already paying for childcare so i think you need to use that time to earn some regular money.

In addition you can Ebay stuff to make a bit of extra cash