income less than outgoings

hardworker85

I am a single mum working 40 hours a week. I get some working tax credits, child tax credits and family allowance. I have no credit cards, loans etc. I just have rent, other household bills etc. A car to run which is essential to get to work and nursery. My income doesnt even cover the cost of my bills, petrol etc. I rely on handouts from friends and family for clothes, nappies etc. Is there any one I can contact for further help? HMRC say I am not entitled to anymore money, housing benefit say I earn too much aswell.

Dunroamin

Can you give a breakdown of your income and outgoings?

hardworker85

Yes I can give a detailed breakdown of my income and outgoings.

midnight_express

contact the csa

WantToBeSE

hardworker- even though you dont have any credit cards or loans, its worth going over to the DFW (Debt Free Wannabe) board, and posting an SOA (Statement of Affairs).
This lists all income and expenditure, and the people over there have fantastic ideas at how to reduce your expenditure.

FBaby

Unfortunately, as a single mum working full-time with children in nurseries, you are probably worse off than if you were not working at all once all your expenses are taken into account, especially if you don't get any maintenance from the father.

I've been there, earned quite above the average salary, but that meant getting much less in wtc than what my childcare costs were. Adding running the car which indeed was essential to go to work, petrol, insurance and the rest and I just about made it at the end of the month, with less disposable income than my friend who was single and not working (although to be fair, she got DLA for her son and used this for everyday costs, so that helped).

Unfortunately, unless there is an error in your assessment, or your circumstances have changed since last year so that you should be getting more (as tax credits are awarded based on the previous year), you won't get any more support and the only way to break-even will be to change your lifestyle and reduce your outgoings.

barnaby-bear

WantToBeSE wrote: »

hardworker- even though you dont have any credit cards or loans, its worth going over to the DFW (Debt Free Wannabe) board, and posting an SOA (Statement of Affairs).
This lists all income and expenditure, and the people over there have fantastic ideas at how to reduce your expenditure.

http://www.stoozing.com/msoc/soacalc.php you'll get better advise on how to cut down on the Debt Free Wannabe board. They'll want a full SoA. If you aren't eligible for housing benefit and are claiming but not paying debts your money is going somewhere this should help you work out where..

You might be able to get employer childcare vouchers that will help with childcare. Failing that chase the father for maintenance and/or free childcare.

If you rent, could you move to a better location for work/nurseries that will cut out the need for a car. Or move to a cheaper rental until the little un is eligible for state childcare (you only need a one bed if it's the two of you).

hardworker85

I have cut everything out of my outgoings I dont even have a bank account anymore. The only things I pay are - Rent, Gas and electric, council tax, TV licence, water and a PAYG phone, petrol, car insurance and food. There is nothing left to shave off my outgoings anymore. They are all fixed and paid in cash. I am beginning to think that working for a living is a fools game.

WantToBeSE

Well, its still worth posting an SOA on the DFW board.

you must have a bank account, as you get WTC, CTC and wages??

somethingcorporate

What is the father to your children contributing?

barnaby-bear

hardworker85 wrote: »

I have cut everything out of my outgoings I dont even have a bank account anymore. The only things I pay are - Rent, Gas and electric, council tax, TV licence, water and a PAYG phone, petrol, car insurance and food. There is nothing left to shave off my outgoings anymore. They are all fixed and paid in cash. I am beginning to think that working for a living is a fools game.

So you say but the DFW folkies will often find savings or anomolies... without any information on what you are getting and paying, no-one can give you any advice. IF your costs are really fixed and your benefits right no-one here can suggest anything there aren't magical extra benefits.

A full SoA is the only way people can make suggestions to cut costs as there aren't any easy instant increased income solutions. They'll also check if your rent/income figures are right and you are getting what you should.

The advantage of renting is that you can move to remove the expense of the car or cut your rental costs.

Does your employer do childcare vouchers? How many children - how old? Can the father pay something (and if he can't/isn't working do free childcare?)