All Bills

Pesto2606

Hi everyone

this was more of an enquiry really about bills in general. I'm looking at my finances and thinking... I genuinely can't get the cost of these bills down any further than I have. I'm relatively good at making sure I'm on the best plans and so on. Rent is pretty high but then isnt everyones!

Looking at my finances I'm paying

£600 - Rent (could move to flat for £10 less in my area)
£77 - council tax (inc single person allowance)
£12.12 - TV license
£65 Gas and Elec
£10.20 House insurance
£17.00 - Water
£52.00 - Virgin (broadband, tv, phone) Luxury I know!
£15.00 - Sim only phone

and already that comes to a whopping £848.32 per month - without my car finance payment, car insurance, petrol or food.

As it goes I've done ok over the last couple of years at work and I'm earning a half decent salary now but 2/3 years ago I was on half of what I am now and leaving work with £1000 every month. It occured to me last night that if I was still in those old job positions I'd be only earning £1100 a month. How are people surviving??? How is this right that to simply LIVE it's nearly £1000 if you include food??

I guess I'm interested to see what the absolute basic cost of living is for others?? What does everyone else think??

Nada666

Most people on a £1,000 or £1,100 net income would not live by themselves. Yes, they would take on the responsibility of a £600 rent in only their name but would depend on a lodger - that would also halve the internet and standing charges.

Also most people are not haplessly permanently on a minimum wage - like you they quickly move off that rung (most even without any qualifications or vocation.)

But if you are long-term on a 13K or lower wage you do not spend that amount renting a flat all for yourself.

Pesto2606

Well to be honest I was on maybe slightly more than 15k a couple of years ago and coming out with about £1000 per month I guess that would probably equate to around £16,500 now so still above minimum wage. I know the personal allowance (tax code) has changed in our favour over the last couple of years but even so there's 100's of people who work at my place and stay in the same positions for years and years on end.

It just made me wonder what other peoples situations were like and whether my figures were a fair reflection against most others. I guess it shocked me to think how I would survive if I hadn't of moved up a little. I guess you're right I would of had to have got a lodger in.

scaredofdebt

It is tough if you are single, that's why there's pressure to increase the minimum wage to £7 an hour (or more).

It's not easy if there's two of you either but it's not quite as hard then.

Your rent is high compared to your other outgoings and some of the things listed could be considered a luxury.

I won't post my info as I am in a very odd situation!

Pesto2606

scaredofdebt wrote: »

I won't post my info as I am in a very odd situation!

Rent free at her Majesty's pleasure?!? LOL - totally joking!

You're absolutely right though, being single can really sting sometimes. I've often thought of getting in a lodger but I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can finally split the bills with someone lol.

Rent is quite high agreed. This is pretty much the standard cost to live in Leeds though. Not anything poshy or swanky, not even in town, just pretty much an average figure for a half decent non student accomodation.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

emmaatkinson2606 wrote: »

Rent free at her Majesty's pleasure?!? LOL - totally joking!

You're absolutely right though, being single can really sting sometimes. I've often thought of getting in a lodger but @27 I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can finally split the bills with someone lol.

Rent is quite high agreed. This is pretty much the standard cost to live in Leeds though. Not anything poshy or swanky, not even in town, just pretty much an average figure for a half decent non student accomodation.

£600 a month on the rent. Up North. And you're moaning!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-40852693.html

There you go. Sublet the other rooms, and live like a princess :rotfl:

PlymouthMaid

Just surviving is stupidly expensive these days. Two of us are managing just on my £1000 a month but luckily my mortgage is low now. It's the utility bills I find crippling.

macman

On item stands out for me: £15 per month for a SIM-only phone is absurdly high. You should be able to halve that.

Nada666

macman wrote: »

On item stands out for me: £15 per month for a SIM-only phone is absurdly high. You should be able to halve that.

Can you really get a worthwhile smartphone tariff for £7.50 per month? Anything I have seen at that point is pretty worthless - you're as well paying £0 per month using it as a feature phone instead of committing to a monthly* contract.

(* I refuse to call payments that expire after 30 days payg)