How much board should I be paying?

[Deleted User]

I live at home with my Mum, her partner and my younger brother. My mum works part time and her partner full time. I work part time as well as studying at university. My take home pay a month is £600. I pay for all my car insurance, tax, mobile phone, sky tv and also buy my own food and toiletries etc totalling around an extra £200 on top. There's also travel to uni which costs a bit as I live about 15 miles away from it so I usually put around £30-£40 petrol in a week.

My Mum charges me £130 a month board which I think is reasonable, however she wants to charge me more in the region of £150/£170. Can someone please help me on this? As I don't really think I can afford to pay more. I'm in my final year at uni and would love to save some money to move out which I'm trying to do with my loan. However, my Mum can't accept this and when I try to explain I'm trying to save and the bills I pay out a month she doesn't want to know.

RAS

Presumably you get a maintenance loan as well as your part-time earnings? How much is that?

And it very very much depends on your family circumstances.

If the family is on benefits (even if working they might be recieving benefits) then it is reasonable for you to pay more than if they are loaded.

Also if mum does any thing like washing etc.

As a starting point have you asked if the two of you can sit down and look at the cost of your actually living there?

And bear in mind that if mum took in a lodger to replace you she could get £370 per month without paying any tax. Quite possibly for a Monday to Friday lodging.

pink_princess

I think £200+ would be suitable on that amount. £50 a week for a roof over your head, gas and electric and council tax etc is a bargain.

HappyMJ

I'd go with £200 as well.. to include roof over your head and food on the table including gas, electric, water and council tax bills. Not
including washing the dishes or washing your clothes....but including the detergents needed to complete the task.


Can't afford it? Get rid of Sky.

RAS

The OP states that they buy their own food.

thorsoak

You won't be able to find anywhere cheaper than home!

pmlindyloo

I think you are incredibly lucky to be able to save whilst you are at university, run a car and have Sky TV!

Most uni students would give their eye teeth to be in your situation.

Cough up the extra and be very grateful that you are only paying this to 'rent' somewhere. Have a chat with your friends who don't live at home and compare finances.

zzzLazyDaisy

You could always speak to your student union about finding alternative digs and see how the costs compare.....

candygirl

OMG you need a massive reality check hun x

liney

£600 per month plus your loan, and possibly maintence grant depending on family income.

To put it bluntly, you pay your rent/mortgage before you pay sky TV/luxury items. Perhaps you can no longer afford as many luxury items/Sky TV if your very reasonable rent is increasing.

mikeandrach_2

I was charged board by my parents so I moved out. I will never charge my son board, r any future children. when I chose to have a kid I chose to love him, provide for him and care for him for the rest of my life, knowing I could afford to (im not rich by the way, comfortable but not rich). the day he turns 18 I will still love, provide and care for him, I wont suddenly say right son start paying your own way. IF he is taking advantage, ie doesn't work/genuinely seek work, isn't in education, and generally takes the p yes I will sit down with him and have a conversation which will hopefully be the rocket up the bum if one is needed. my parents said paying board would teach me about money, it didn't, it tought me that my parents wanted to cream some of my wages despite the fact they were very well off. I totally disagree with charging a child (of any age) to live in the family home, the caveat being if they are a slob/layabout/don't seek to fund their own life this view is flexible.