Not sure how to help 65 year old mum living on very little

MissMoneypenny

LittleMissAspie wrote: »

It's £750pcm. After I pay my mortgage and council tax, I am left with £655pcm. So she has more money than me and I am earning a full time salary.

You could take a second job if you need more money. Someone who doesn't have their health, doesn't have that option.

LittleMissAspie

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

You could take a second job if you need more money. Someone who doesn't have their health, doesn't have that option.

I don't need more money, I have enough. That's my point. She's not living on very little.

I know her bills will be higher than mine because I share mine. So, my half of the bills (that's house insurance, water, gas, elec, phone, internet and groceries) is £145. OP's mum will need to pay twice that as she lives alone, except for groceries unless she is eating for two. I make that £220 so £75 more than me which is covered by her extra £90 income.

I pay £75 per month for my half of the running costs of my boyfriend's car, it's his car but we share use of it. The OP's mum should get a free bus pass and has no commuting costs.

I also set aside £100 a month for decorating and house maintenance. I save for holidays and presents, I'm saving for a laptop and I put aside a little extra for the mortgage as we are building up our offset. I also have a special savings pot for my cat as she has a health condition which needs expensive food and regular vet checkups.

OP's mum's income should be enough to live a comfortable life, though if she has any debts and if she's still living in a large family home it would be tight. Downsizing to a small modern energy efficient home would be much better, that's why our utility bills are so cheap.

HB58

Just a word of warning about 'downsizing'. It came of something of a shock to use to realise that there would be very little/nothing left over (after all expenses paid) if we sold our 3 bed semi and moved into a 2 bed retirement property. In addition to this, places of this nature charge at least £500 per month management fees + ground rent - in fact, the only place that we really liked charged 3770+ per month!

It was a bit sobering to come to the conclusion that we actually couldn't afford to make the move, especially after we had come to terms with the fact that we might have to.

Make sure that you/your mum do your homework before deciding to sell and downsize, just in case she would be in a similar situation to us.

iris

HB58 wrote: »

Just a word of warning about 'downsizing'. It came of something of a shock to use to realise that there would be very little/nothing left over (after all expenses paid) if we sold our 3 bed semi and moved into a 2 bed retirement property. In addition to this, places of this nature charge at least £500 per month management fees + ground rent - in fact, the only place that we really liked charged 3770+ per month!

It was a bit sobering to come to the conclusion that we actually couldn't afford to make the move, especially after we had come to terms with the fact that we might have to.

Make sure that you/your mum do your homework before deciding to sell and downsize, just in case she would be in a similar situation to us.

However you can move to an area where property is much cheaper.

We moved from Devon to Lincolnshire (property here is much cheaper) and bought a detached 3 bedroomed bungalow. We had money left over to buy a new car and also to invest.

Maybe not for everyone, but worth consideration.

HB58

Yes, Iris, that is true. As my hubby is still working, we have decided to stay put for now and review our situation when we know exactly what his pension will be - but others may have the option of moving.

xylophone

2 bed retirement property. In addition to this, places of this nature charge at least £500 per month management fees + ground rent - in fact, the only place that we really liked charged 3770+ per month!

But the OP's mother would not need to choose this kind of property - she could perhaps buy a smaller, already modernised property more suitable to her needs where her outgoings would be less?

tillycat123

xylophone wrote: »

But the OP's mother would not need to choose this kind of property - she could perhaps buy a smaller, already modernised property more suitable to her needs where her outgoings would be less?

This is what she wants to do. I took her out for a nice lunch yesterday and we caught up on the past 7 years. Very sad actually and I can't stop crying.

Sadly as well she did have more saving another 6K and the year before last she thought she would try and make this current house warm to get the bills down and replace the rotting windows. Cowboy window fitter took her money and has left the house colder than ever, with poor fitting and a patio door that feels like the door is open on a windy day.

This morning I have phoned her electric company and they said she qualifies for the warm home rebate of £135 and a form will be posted to her, so at least I've hopefully helped a little bit here for her so far.

Dunroamin

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

£25 per day is a good income?? What about utility bills and running a car? A meal out?

I suppose the OPs mother could help at a charity shop to keep her utilty bills down and give her a social life. It might even lead to employment, which would give her more income. I repeat, 65 is not old.

If she were a couple of years younger she'd be living on £71 JSA rather than £173 pension so, yes, it's not a bad income in retirement for someone with no housing costs to allow for.

RAS

tillycat123 wrote: »

Sadly as well she did have more saving another 6K and the year before last she thought she would try and make this current house warm to get the bills down and replace the rotting windows. Cowboy window fitter took her money and has left the house colder than ever, with poor fitting and a patio door that feels like the door is open on a windy day.

Hi

Has she been to trading Standards regarding this? Checked out what she can do to claiming from the barstewards?

Because without the proper FENSA certification, she will have trouble when it comes to sell the house.

[Deleted User]

I hope things get better for her soon , sounds like it's not just money worries of living from week to week , but things piling up and getting to her especially if she has no one to share with , so getting things of her shoulders will help and sorting out any housing problems so the house is suitable for a move and lots of support - It sounds to me like she needs emotional support much more than financial as her income is actually not too bad at all when it comes to enough to 'live on' and she can even have little treats on that income ;-)

I think the treats she needs is a nice family get together , meals out , a picnic in the park or a family BBQ together , sounds like it's the isolation more than anything which is getting to her

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT MY FAMILY - They are my absolute joy in life and we help each other through stuff , mainly with the medicine of laughter and cuddles! x