Can't possible be the only people

Yummy_Mummy_Sofia

Ok so is it just me or the harder you try the more harder things become??

Sat down tonight to again reasses and evaluate the household budgets ect. Can safely say this is the closest we have ever been to breaking point.

I'm a 28 year old mummy to a DD, have a DS due in no time; and live with my yummy scrummy hubby in a mortgaged home.

We both work, me part time and hubby full time away mostly. Over the last 3years our income has stayed relatively the same yet the outgoings are becoming so astronomical were nearly at the point where we don't earn what we spend :eek::eek:.

I'm seriously freaking out now more than I ever have. I don't see how normal hardworking families are going to survive this crunch much longer. Between the nursery fees, mortgage, car cost and general monthly food bills it's getting impossible. We do not spend frivolously by any means and rarely go out. Our one set of luxuries are mobile phones as hubby works away, often for 3-4weeks at a time and will use phone to Skype our daughter and ring us. Therefore we pay a little more than average on them, but feel this keeps us more as a family unit ect.

I'm wondering how the rest of the money saving army are managing in these tough times??? Honestly we can not be the only working family struggling with the daily battle of bills??

We've been luck so far in we have no debt as such just the mortgage. Also have a little savings pot that we've been staying clear of, but at the rate were going wont be long and we will have used that and will be all out.

Sorry if my post is a bit rambling and pessimistic, but honestly have got to the point where I don't see or know how we will be ok

arbroath_lass

Although you only have your mortgage the Debt-Free Wannabe board are great at pointing out places where you can reduce costs and cut your budget. They will ask you to post a Statement of Affairs (there is a link in a sticky) which shows your income and outgoings.

mum2one

its the credit crunch, - within your budget have you looked if your on th ebest packages, gas, elec, tv, internet etc.

Food - have you tried a downshift challenge, meal planning, xx

Own_My_Own

You are not alone . Here is a link to the Debt free board. You don't need to be in debt to use it.
Open a new thread with a statement of affairs (SOA), and you will get advice on how to safe money.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/562271

Good Luck.

Yummy_Mummy_Sofia

Thanks guys, think I will take a look at the advised board. Didn't realise I wouldn't have to be in debt to join in as such. Just a nightmare trying to get along in these hard times. By no means do I think we are alone, but people don't seem to talk openly about how much they struggle ect.

Anyhow rambling again now! Lol:rotfl:
Thanks for the replies will get on and see what we can do to better things
YMS x

Linda32

Hi,

I also wanted to point you to the Old Style board down below who will certainly be able to help with grocery shopping, downshift challenge as mentioned and meal planning. There is lots and lots of help on here from very friendly people.

Hope to "see" you on Old Style or OS as its known

Peanut2013

Hi Sofia, also in similar situation! Recently gone on leave in prep for LO to appear and realised how hard it's going to be while I'm on SMP.

Will be very 'interesting' to see how we manage on penny's (literally!!)

cabbage

Hi

have you checked you are receiving your full benefit entitlement. There is a calculator on https://www.turn2us.org.uk

or visit CAB or similar

Flutteringby

It is getting harder. I find the only way to keep things ticking over is being more creative with food shopping, batch cooking, meal planning etc so I am now spending less than I used to on shopping even though prices have risen. Definitely use the old style board for inspiration!

Yummy_Mummy_Sofia

Thanks everyone. I've been lurking on the old style boards and have found a few good inspirations and ideas ect. Just having one of my mad wobbles where I can't see the wood for the trees :eek:.

When I was off last time with DD I managed to really get a grip of the finances and cut the cloth loads. However we were actually a lot better off then in comparison to now, which I think is why I'm panicking more now about it.

Have returned to the meal planning, batch cooking and general making sure we use EVERY scarp available without wasting a thing. Spoke to OH who is also on board 100%, and even though he won't say it as worried as me.

With regards to benefits, we are right on the threshold for tax credits and that will end this coming April when OH wage tips us just over the £26000 thingy. Again a worry as the bills don't or won't stop or go down. I appreciate wholeheartedly that we have been awfully lucky to have the additional support of TC as many generations prior to us haven't had that help. But it kinda leaves you wishing you'd had never had it in a way, what you ain't had you can't miss. Just a nightmare when wages are £852 a month and DD nursery is £568, doesn't leave much left at the end. Having said that I enjoy working and feel its important for both me and her that I keep my job long term. When you tank how long they are in nurseries in comparison to schools ect it's a no brainier, stick it out whilst they are little eventually you WILL be better off. Well that's what I'm hoping anyhow .

Thinking I may start a diary in the debt free board, just not sure if people will be out off by the fact I not in debt. Don't want to annoy anyone. Will start looking a lot more at the old style and get posting on that.

Thanks again for the advice and support, it's nice sometimes to just vent or write my thoughts down. In the hope I can find a solution my self, feel sorry for hubby sometimes as he just keeps everything in. Like most men I guess they don't say anything yet clearly worry in silence

Yummy_Mummy_Sofia

Flutteringby wrote: »

It is getting harder. I find the only way to keep things ticking over is being more creative with food shopping, batch cooking, meal planning etc so I am now spending less than I used to on shopping even though prices have risen. Definitely use the old style board for inspiration!

To will have to be my action plan I think. As most of the other bills are things that won't or can't be reduced ect x