Student, pregnant, sinking and in need of help :( *update*

mum2one

mgdavid wrote: »

something wrong here - TV licence is £12.12 per month

usually if you start straight off it does charge more then balances out to £12.12 pm, x

Speculator

matttye wrote: »

I'd suggest getting a PAYG SIM card, there's no way you can afford £57 a month at the minute.

Or get an Ovivo freedom sim via Topcashback.

One off payment of £20 gets you 300mins, 300 texts 500mb data each month. £15 is also returned to you as phone credit. No need to top up each month. All you pay is the initial £20.

TCB also pays £5.25

Speculator

Also, maybe consider getting rid of the TV and watch on the BBC iplayer instead. You don't need a TV license to watch the iplayer.

ABetterLife

Speculator wrote: »

Also, maybe consider getting rid of the TV and watch on the BBC iplayer instead. You don't need a TV license to watch the iplayer.

I didn't realise that actually, learn something new everyday

It's a thought.

Once again, appreciate all the suggestions guys! Sweet of you to take the time

System

Just some initial thoughts based on your outgoings

• Can you get any benefit to help (primarily housing) or extra money from the University access fund?
• Can you get any financial help with your bills from your energy company?
• Can you freeze / cancel any of Phone bill - £57 p/m Ipad bill - £26 p/m?
• Cancel TV license?
• Change shopping habits? Change to Aldi for example?
• Will you need your travel pass going forward?

matttye

ABetterLife wrote: »

Hmm, definitely something I need to think about. How would I go about paying my phone and iPad at £1 a month?

I'm definitely taking on board what you're saying, but very cautious about my credit rating being damaged. That stuff can take years to fix (and I have been fixing it for the past few years so don't want to undo my hard work). I think I will have to see how it goes. Thankfully council tax isn't an issue as I get an exemption. A big issue is the gas and electric though. I included that in my figures, which is why it looks like my income is less than my outgoing but without the bill it's £100 or so left over. Obviously though, it becomes a problem when that bill comes in every 3 months!

I hope I don't sound difficult. I know it's hard to put yourself across properly online. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I understand what you're saying about your credit files, but your first post indicates that you've got more going out than you've got coming in, so it's hard to see how you're going to be able to carry on paying everything, especially when maternity pay will be less than what you're getting now.

You would have to default on the mobile phone and iPad contracts and pay them £1 token payments until you're back on your feet, but this would free up nearly £100 a month for your other priority bills.

I should stress I'm only suggesting this as a last resort, eg. If you have to choose between your rent, utilities or phone and iPad, it's a no brainer which ones you need to not pay.

If there's any way you can make cutbacks to bring yourself back into the black each month without having to stop paying your phone and iPad then of course you should do that instead.

Anything you can sell?

dancingfairy

Hi, there are obviously cutbacks that can be made. I see what you mean about the credit score but I just don't see how you can pay it all so here's what I would suggest:
1) cut back that phone bill - is it a mobile? If so you should be able to get a much, much cheaper contract. You should be able to get it under 30 a month
2)ipad usage. You're going to have to be really careful with this as you can't afford 100+ a month bills. Monitor your usage. Work out what's caused this really high bill.
3) gas and electricity. A bit on the high side, make sure you keep an eye on them and give regular meter readings. Don't let the gas/electric company keep you in massive credit or do too many estimates. Shop around as well.
4) debt repayments need to be really reduced - Lloyds and the old accomodation bill.
5) do you need a travelcard? When the baby comes will you be travelling so much? Would it be cheaper to get the bus/tube etc to where you want to go on a daily basis? Could you walk more in the summer? Obviously I don't know how partical this is where you are but you travelcard cost is so high on your limited income.

I just want to wish you all the best. Despite obviously going through a rough time you obviously have the right mindset to tackle this.
Best of luck with it all, and I'm sure you will build a new life for you and your little one.
df
Edit: if your local CAB is unsupportive then try someone else like National Debtline or StepChange or Christians Against Povery (CAP). Just make sure it's someone free and impartial.

dancingfairy

Hi, there are obviously cutbacks that can be made. I see what you mean about the credit score but I just don't see how you can pay it all so here's what I would suggest:
1) cut back that phone bill - is it a mobile? If so you should be able to get a much, much cheaper contract. You should be able to get it under 30 a month
2)ipad usage. You're going to have to be really careful with this as you can't afford 100+ a month bills. Monitor your usage. Work out what's caused this really high bill.
3) gas and electricity. A bit on the high side, make sure you keep an eye on them and give regular meter readings. Don't let the gas/electric company keep you in massive credit or do too many estimates. Shop around as well.
4) debt repayments need to be really reduced - Lloyds and the old accomodation bill.
5) do you need a travelcard? When the baby comes will you be travelling so much? Would it be cheaper to get the bus/tube etc to where you want to go on a daily basis? Could you walk more in the summer? Obviously I don't know how partical this is where you are but you travelcard cost is so high on your limited income.

I just want to wish you all the best. Despite obviously going through a rough time you obviously have the right mindset to tackle this.
Best of luck with it all, and I'm sure you will build a new life for you and your little one.
df
Edit: sorry just realised it was Lloyds that were unsupportive. Of course they're not going to be happy taking a lower payment or a token payment but frankly, it's tough. You haven't got it so they can't have it. They could take you to court but that wold cost them time, energy and money and you still wouldn't have the money to repay them. It's not like you have a car or a mortgage or anything of high value that means it's worth them really pursuing you for. All they can really do is huff and puff and get narky with you.

notanewuser

Once baby comes you'll be entitled to child benefit of £20 a week plus I'd have thought some child tax credits. I don't know much about tax credits but thought they were reasonably generous.

Your child's father has a responsibility to his child too.

ABetterLife

Thanks all for the suggestions. Taken on board and duly noted