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Serious Illness and Finance

boadicea_2
Posts: 42 Forumite
Hi everyone!
I'm new! Apologies... I'm not sure if this is the right place to post so please feel free to move the thread if necessary.
Can we have a thread on how to deal with the expenses (both hidden and obvious) that come with a serious illness within the family? My mum is ill and that's a big part of the reasons I'm in debt and having trouble trying to stay out of any more.
Off to work in a mo - will try to post an SOA another time to see if anyone can advise me, but meanwhile I'd like to know how other people have gone about dealing with this sort of situation... because I don't seem to be doing all that well
.
I'm new! Apologies... I'm not sure if this is the right place to post so please feel free to move the thread if necessary.
Can we have a thread on how to deal with the expenses (both hidden and obvious) that come with a serious illness within the family? My mum is ill and that's a big part of the reasons I'm in debt and having trouble trying to stay out of any more.
Off to work in a mo - will try to post an SOA another time to see if anyone can advise me, but meanwhile I'd like to know how other people have gone about dealing with this sort of situation... because I don't seem to be doing all that well

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Comments
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Hi boadicea, welcome to MSE. I personally don't have experience of having to cope with a serious illness in the family, but I didn't want to read your post and not answer. There will be other more experienced people along in a moment who will hopefully be able to answer your questions.
When you get a chance post your SOA - you'll get loads of help and support here - everyone is really friendly. Just want to say keep your chin up and keep posting!!
MidnightDebt £171000 - Current Debt £168883Between Oct 08 and Apr 09 Pay off £12k = £2117/£12000£2 Savings Pot = £80 -
Hi there
Could you give some examples of what you mean?
A SOA would be a good place to start...
:heartpuls CG :heartpulsEver wonder about those people who spend £2 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backward.0 -
Hi Boadicea
Welcome to the board.
I have not suffered an illness but did spend a lot of time on hospital in December 2005 - I was in and out several times with an ectopic pregnancy.
I found there were a lot of hidden costs and things we didn't think about and it did cause us a few problems. As well as all the other bills there was loss of earnings because I was the main wage earner on top of this there was parking at the hospital (£2.00 for a few hours), petrol, magazines, TV and phone access, childminding for the children, extras that I needed like slippers, etc.
Are these the sorts of costs you mean ???
Hope we can help.
T xx0 -
I’ll give some background details for information purposes: I live in Spain, and have done for most of my life. Although I’m a qualified physio and speak 5 languages, I currently work in a casino as the wages are better than if I worked as a physio.
I qualified in June 2005, by working 2 jobs to put myself through University. The course cost 12000 € (£8000) in fees, double that for travel expenses and other costs. I nearly made it through debt-free, then Mum had more treatment and I got a loan for 4200 € (£2500) for various things, which is on a very low interest and almost paid off.
My mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and since then has been in and out of hospital for various treatments. For some of that time she worked, the rest she was on illness benefits. She has now been permanently signed off sick and is getting benefit of 600 € (£400) per month. She has a mortgage of 400 € (£270). No illness insurance on the house. This leaves her peanuts to live on, so I pay all her household bills, and for any extras that crop up (car repairs, that sort of thing). I also give her as much money as I can when she needs it. The house desperately needs maintenance, but I just can’t afford it. And even if she sells, the equity is not enough to buy her something else outright.
I live with my OH in his place. He pays all the bills, which I hate as I feel like a leech. Although he’s not bothered by it.
Horrified at the constant increase in house prices in my area, in November 06 I bought a shoe-box on a 110%, 40-year mortgage; which is currently rented out. The rent doesn’t completely cover my mortgage, but at least I have a small investment somewhere.
Three months later, my old car conked out and needed very expensive repairs. I work nights in an out of the way place – I need a reliable car! And decided, as I was going to go into debt anyway, to have something I wanted. Hence 17000 € loan…
I don’t have credit cards or any other debts not mentioned here.
Current SOA.
Everything is in Euros – so will give the exact amounts in Euro and approximate equivalents in sterling.
Monthly Income:
-Work – averages around 1200 Euros (£800).
-Benefits – 512 Euros (£325). This finishes in May 2008 and then I’ll be getting a second job – again.
-Rental income – 350 Euros (£240).
-Total - 2062 Euros (£1400).
Loan Expenditure:
-Student Loan – 1000 Euros (£700). Monthly payment 117 € (£80). Due to expire Jan 08.
-Car Loan – 17.000 Euros (£11.500). Monthly payment 210 € (£140). Due to expire Feb 2016.
-Mortgage – 117.000 Euros (£80.000). Monthly payment 550 € (£375). Due to expire Nov 2046.
-Total – 877 Euros (roughly £600).
Essentials Expenditure:
Mine per month:
Mobile phone bill 65 € (£42).
Petrol 100 € (£70).
Food for two 240 € (£160).
Pension 20 € (£14) – it’s small but the will is there…
Gym 41 € (£25).
Car Insurance 135 € (£90) every 3 months - Jan-Apr-Jul-Dec.
Union 31 € (20) every 3 months - Jan-Apr-Jul-Dec.
Total 507 € (£320) per month, plus 166 € (£110) every 3 months.
Mine per year:
Home Insurance (I don’t know – I had to buy the first year’s as part of my mortgage. I’ll know when I renew next year).
Council Tax: 2 yearly payments - 130 € (£90) in April and around 110 € (£75) in July.
Car tax: 60 € (£40) per year, in January.
Total 300 € (£200) per year.
Mum per month:
Mobile phone bill 45 € (£30).
Home phone 150 € (£100)
Water 50 € (£35) every 2 months.
Electricity 160 € (£110) every 2 months.
Total 195 € (£135) per month, plus 210 € (£140) every 2 months.
Mum per year:
Home Insurance 170 € (£115), in October.
Council Tax: 2 yearly payments - 164 € (£115) in April and around 265 € (£180) in July.
Total 602 € (£400).
I tend to find I can manage the expected bills, and have a fairly reasonable idea of where my money goes every month. I can manage my own finances quite well. The hardest thing is partly supporting my Mum, as I never really know how much I am going to have to pay every month. I’m not stupid, I know how important it is to have a grip on your money, but it’s incredibly difficult in this situation and I really don’t know how to go about improving it.
Apologies for the essay and any tips gratefully received!0 -
Does your mum live in Spain or England?
I am assuming England and that is maybe why her phone bills are very high. I think you should look at one of martins articles about cutting phone bills (look at the phones and utilities on the left hand side). I also think electric is high, but is there no gas.
Is your mum getting any benefits go to https://www.entitledto.com to check any entitlement to benefits she may have.
As to your SOA I am not brilliant, but I would suggest you go to https://www.confused.com and get a quote for house insurance and start putting a monthly amount away for this now. That way you could pay for your house insurance up front when its due (through quidco) and save yourself a bit of money that way.
I am assuming (correct me if I am wrong) that your mum is not yet at pension age. How old is she? I only ask because when my father in law was diagnosed with cancer Age concern came round and opened up a whole new world in respect of things he could claim for. He even got a one off payment of £500.
Could I just ask to, is your mum ever likely to go back to work, is this a long term plan we need to look at.Quality is doing something right when no one is looking - Henry Ford
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Sorry to hear of your situation, Boadicea. Just want to echo what sammy115 said about Age Concern - use whatever charity is relevant to your situation, and check what the NHS can offer. We had to pay for carers to come in twice a day, but after a hospital stay for the person concerned, the NHS Rehabilitation Service came in *three* times a day, and performed the same service, for free, and they were absolutely fantastic. It can take a while to set up, but worth doing. Also check what's available to you as a carer. If you're in different countries, I'm not sure what that could be, but there are carers' organisations, relief stays (good lord, I've forgotten the real term for them), there's day care, lots.... apologies if you're not at that level, and not likely to get there, but this is actually a huge issue, there's a whole subculture out there thats completely invisible, because most of it is housebound.
Charities, benefits, NHS, for you and your mum, plus moneysaving activity on fuel and phone and if your mum lives on her own in this country (maybe in Spain too), a water meter, which Martin says is usually best for a one person household, I think.2023: the year I get to buy a car0 -
Hi
Its sounds to me like your Mum isn't claiming all her benefits.
Why are you renting your property out at such a low price compared to your mortgage?
Would it help if you were paying bills monthly not quartely and other strange times like twice a year on the CT. If you mum is living alone on such low money she should be getting help with her CT. Also if she has had the same mortgage since before 1997 she can claim help with her mortgage via housing benefit. To qualify you must not have remortgaged since that time. Check it out with the housing benefit office.
Also as you are paying union fee's call them for help they may be able to give you money and advice.
When you renew your house insurance ensure that you are only paying for buildings insurance you don't need contents if you arent living there.
I'm sure this situation can be better managed once your Mum gets all the benefits she is entitled to.0 -
Boadicea there is a scheme you can use to cut the telephone bills from England to Spain, or any other country for that matter.
I use a Company called onetel https://www.onetel.co.uk you sign up to them but the service is free. The call charges to Spain are 4p per minute, to the USA are 3p per minute.
If your Mum were to use £30 of phone calls @ 4p per minute that is all she will pay - there is no monthly charge. If she were away for a month in Spain with you, there would be no charge. She would still use her own telephone line, etc.
It is worth checking out on their website.
There are other companies who provide this service too.0 -
Thans for the advice guys.
Mum lives in Spain - high phone bills are due to her calling her mum in the UK.
She won't go back to work, we've been told it's terminal.
I will check whether there is anything else she can claim.
I'm renting out my flat for the maximum amount I can get for it at the moment...
I will check with the Union, great idea hadn't thought about that...0 -
HI there
sorry to hear about your situation.
Has your mum had previous employment with an employer who is likely to be able to offer her help through a benevolent fund?
Your mobile seems high-could you cut that down a wee bit?
Is there any other benefits that your mum can claim in Spain?I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.0
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