Pesto is in a messo...

*Robin*

Pesto wrote: »

We have been told we could get WTC of about £30 a week which would be a help. Also I will ask what other benefits we could get too

These may be useful:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/payments-entitlement/other-benefits/other-help.htm

If I've understood correctly, you should get an NHS WTC exemption certificate automatically when your WTC claim has been processed. Or you could apply using the HC1 form (see NHS link above). The 'certificate' is a plastic card which entitles you to free prescriptions (and other things).

Either way, keep your prescription receipts from now on as it's sometimes possible to get the money back later if you would have been eligible [ie. from the date your claim is accepted] - and get the forms for WTC [STRIKE]filled in[/STRIKE] sent off as soon as possible!

Pesto

So it looks like the OH has got the Job!! Ok he will be working for £6.58 an hour but for 40 hours a week. We will get £33 a week WTC plus I will look into those links thank you *Robin* Also we will get one month roll on HB and CTB plus the Job Centre will give him 4 weeks petrol money and a credit with Matalan to get some work wear.



Its possible he will start on Monday but need to wait and see.

Mara_uk7

Great news. Congrats to OH !! Onward & Upwards

*Robin*

Congratulations to your partner, and you too Pesto; as Mara says, it's onwards and upwards from here. :T

if_at_first...

Well done on that job and on getting your light-bulb moment. Keep going and it will get easier. :T:T:T

Pesto

Thank you Guys



So today's updates so far.

The OH might be starting onMonday. If so he will due to the timing of the next pay run he will get paidaround £550 on the 28th. We have spoke to the Council and at this point theyhave suspended our claim awaiting more information, i.e. job contract startdate ect. Once this is all sorted we will be entitled to the 4 week Benefit runon. We would still have to find the additional £125 but still its the start ofsomething better



Because he has to commute hisParents have offered to buy him a Motorbike. I know, why buy a Motorbike whenthey could help pay off some of the debt? Well the thing is the way to his newwork though only a 5 mile round trip is the busiest rout on a morning. Going byMotorbike rather than car will save £10 a week fuel plus also the strain on theCar (And if I need to I can use the car if I have to in an emergency). His parents are buying it for him and Ireally don't have a say. The only thing they asked was that he paid theinsurance. We looked online and compared and the cheapest was £75 a year. Hewants to pay this over 12 months which would end up paying £95. We have somemoney to the side and I want him to pay it in full like we do the car insurance(we save up) as it might only be a little bit but every little bit helps! Thenon using and looking more on this site I became a member of Quidco among otherthings and guess what? The company who gave him the £75 quote are offering £40 cashback!! That would make the insurance £35 per year!



Looking through Quidco briefly Idid a few small cash back things and then also downloaded their App. I haven'tbought the insurance yet but for 30 minutes work I have £12 waiting to be paidbefore I even think about getting the insurance cash back. At this rate I mighteven cover the cost of the whole insurance sitting on my butt looking onwebsites rather than sitting on my butt looking at non cash back creatingwebsites

Pesto

Ok so the weekend is almost over.

The OH starts his new Job tomorrow!

Also we got a cheap BBQ at the weekend, a bucket one and we used some coals but we cleared out some papers and now cleared the garden so plenty of free fuel for it

I currently have earned £54.10 on Quidco which might take some time to come in but at least its something.

I have spent £54.77 so for in the GC but we have had BBQ and also a picnic and there is still PLENTY in the house AND the OH will have a packed lunch tomorrow

Im looking round all the time of ways to save now and also the Mantra 'Do I need it?' in my head as well as 'Can I find a better deal elsewhere?'

Im going away with friends in a Caravan in a few weeks and even what to put my thinking onto the trip to save everyone money. At the end of July Im part of a Sports Team raising money for Breast Cancer so again looking to save money anyway I can at the Event too.

It will be a long road but a least I know I can make it through the tough times with some smiles.

Pesto

I now have to face a Demon I haven't mentioned yet.

Drink.

I drink too much. I drink most evenings now where as before I didn't. I drink to numb the pain of being me. The pain I feel of failure and the pain that I will never be good enough. My depression worsened a few months ago and my drink did too. I reduced it back down and it was at that point I tried to take my own life. I again didn't drink much in the time after my attempt on my life but its crept back up again. If I am with Friends or in a relaxed setting I can have few drinks no problem and pace myself and enjoy an evening but if I am on my own or at home with my OH I will drink about 2 litres of strong Cider as it is the cheapest thing I can buy though I don't always drink everyday and its always at night never during the day. I have been to the Doctors about it and also my Councillor about it and at this moment in time I don't feel Im getting the help I need. Its tearing my home life to bits as there is trust gone and I just wish I could be happier in myself not to use drink as a crutch.

The thing is on average I can spend up to £50 a week on drink some weeks which is just wrong. I know some people would spend that on a night out on the town but that is an enjoyable social setting. Sitting on your own at home wondering why you have became such a f*** up in your life is not enjoyable and also neither is the consequences to my home life with my OH.

I think admitting this is a huge step but its only a start the same as my lightbulb moment to deal with my debts but if anything dealing with my debts is easy compared to dealing with the depression and drink problem I face. I never wish anyone to feel the way I felt when I decided the only way to stop the hurt and pain was to end it all. I had cried for hours and nothing could stop me from being in the deep dark cloud that had engulfed me. I wanted to escape and that was the only way I saw I could.

It takes a huge amount of hurt to get to that point. Im crying typing this but still feel I have to even if its just me letting it out rather than for anyone to read.

Pesto

So, an update. The OH has got a job and been working for a few months now which has really helped with things though things are still a struggle. Heres the updated SOA but also with some added debts that have came out the woodwork.


Statement of Affairs &Personal Balance Sheet

Summary

Monthly Budget Summary

Amount(£)

Total monthly income

1,100

Monthly expenses (incl. HP & secured loans)

1,007

Available for debt repayments

93

UNsecured debt repayments

142

Amount short for making debt repayments

-49

Personal Balance Sheet Summary

Amount(£)

Total Assets (things you own)

400

Total Secured & HP Debt

-0

Total Unsecured Debt

-14,648.87

Net Assets

-14,248.87

Household Information

Number of adults in household

2

Income, Expense, Debt & Asset Details

Income

Amount(£)

Monthly income after tax

0

Partners monthly income

1100

Total monthly income

1100

Expenses

Amount(£)

Rent

425

Council tax

114

Electricity

30

Gas

30

Water Rates

60

Telephone (land line)

11

Mobile phone

36

TV Licence

20

Internet services

26

Groceries etc.

150

Petrol/diesel

40

Road tax

15

Car Insurance

20

Car maintenance (including MOT)

10

Haircuts

20

Total monthly expenses

1007

Unsecured Debt Description

Debt(£)


Monthly(£)


APR(%)

Credit Card

4800


1


0

HMRC

1439


20


4

Over draft

300


1


0

Council Tax arrears

391.87


36


0

Equita

1331


40


0

Marston

3592


40


8

NIC

372


1


0

Vaquish

465


1


0

EON ELEC

1108


1


0

EON GAS

850


1


0

Unsecured Debt totals

14648.87


142


-

Asset Description

Value (£)

Car(s)

400

Total Assets

400

It is looking better but still has some work to go.