Anybody got any advice please for a single mum?

seven-day-weekend

Quote from Postingalwaysposting:

Originally Posted by MSE Martin
Pls remember Debt-Free Wannabee's for support and help not judgement

Dear MoneySavers....

Debt Free Wannabee is one of my favourite boards on this site. It's also one which runs a delicate balance. Many people who have serious debts have hidden them for a time, been scared to confront them, suffered depression or have even had suicidal thoughts because of them.

While elsewhere on the site robust discussion is welcomed, in Debt Free Wannabee may I just caution MoneySavers to err on the side of kindness. Of course many are in debt due to over-spending, financial illiteracy, or mismanagement of money (and some through no fault, only due to circumstance). Yet the fact they are here means they're looking for help, guidance and to take charge of their finances - and that in itself is admirable

Please use your knowledge and kindness to help rather than to berate. This board often has the power to move me to tears with the sheer power of the community that's grown and I hope it will continue.

If you feel it’s important to point something out that the poster may find negative but needs to understand, then it's not a problem, but do think carefully about your phrasing - people can be very sensitive and nuances may mislead when it’s in an online Forum.>>

I love this forum. Many have been and seen through their debts. Yet as it gets larger it's easy for the 'anonymity' of posting to mean as well as protecting users, it's easy to 'post and leave'. I hope this note may act as a wee reminder what it's all about.

Martin


Well said PAP! I think this note of Martin's from the Benefits Board needs to be remembered too!



Its about helping people get their entitlement! Not about benefits policy!
This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement.

Of course we all know the benefits system is a mess

Whatever you're political persuasion, we're all aware the benefits system is a mess. Whether its the malpayments of tax credits on one hand, benefit fraud on the other hand, or simply the fact that sometimes it doesn't pay to work - everyone has their grumble.

This board is here to help people with their money though..

Yet that isn't what this board is for. It's here to help people find out what they are entitled to under the current system, and to help them get it. Benefits do provide a lifeline for many, and this site is here to help people with their money, and not to judge. Of course, how to illegally defraud the benefits system shouldn't be discussed here, but ensuring you're getting your entitlement is exactly what its about.

Want to discuss the benefits system? Go to the discussion board

If you want to discuss the benefits system itself and issues around it, the appropriate place isn't here but the Discussion Board and even there, please remember courtesy and not to make it personal about anyone. This site's prime purpose it to help people with their money and I will always act to protect that.

Thanks for your co-operation

Martin

lynzpower

HI Sammy

Im really sorry that some of our members have taken being abusive to you.

Some of us have been here for a long time- I dont know maybe they are a bit jealous cos thier ebay box is now empty I must confess, when I hear of people saying "i sold XYZ on ebay this week and made 100 quid" I do have a pang and think god i wish I could sell something for 100 quid, I dont have anything left really now" BUT THATS COS I SOLD IT and IVE HAD THE MONEY ALREADY!

I feel for you with Crohns, very very nasty illness, and with kids, I know how hard it must be. Maybe, in time, you MIGHT find some work that fits in with your illness and your kids, maybe that opportunity hasnt shown itself just yet, maybe there isnt anything round your area.

None of us are experts IN YOUR LIFE, ONLY YOU ARE. YOU are the one living it. We can only give advice about what we have done, how we have coped, whats worked for us. Other posters will do well to remember that. NOt to judge till you walked a mile in thier shoes. cos You get support from the state cos you are genuinely ill and people slag you down- people are jealous of that maybe

Sammy you sound like a fiesty one :T:T :T - and that when you are fighting the fight against debt & making a better life for your kids this is vital! So bloody good for you! PLenty of fighting spirit in you, and this is what will get you debt free if this is what you really want. :T:T

Yes, at times it can be hard, but we are all with you every step of the way, to help you and give you the benefit of our experience. Ignore those snides among us, you dont need to justify yourself to anyone.

PM me anytime

Lynz
x

carolinela

dosent every one pay the same for water, mine is £30 a month as well. If yours is so much lower is it possible to switch providers?
sorry i was asking backontrack, after their previous comment.

sammy18

To tell u the truth i have been put off by people having a go at me.i know that it may do peoples heads in that i'm getting the benefit that i do but i get child tax creds for my BOYS,child benefit for my BOYS!income support for me and a top up cos i'm SICK!why does that give a right for people on here to give me a go!!!when my crohns is better and my son is a little older i will go back to work.i went to college part time for 3years while i was ill so i didnt sit on my !!!! scrouging benefits i did the best i could!

Robflh

Hi Sammy

Please do not ask Lloyds TBS or Mint to reduce your interest rate just yet, as this will kill your credit rating and any chance you have of getting a new credit card. You may still be able to get another credit card and I should know, I acquired most of mine while on benefits.

A large number of CC companies will automatically reject you based on the fact that you are unemployed but a few will assess you based on how much money you have coming in each month and your credit rating. As a few have pointed out, you have more income then some people that are working and therefore you could still get another credit card.

Thank you for adding in the min payments but can you put them in the monthly outgoings so people can instantly see what your total outgoing are.

If I have read it right, the council tax is £80 per month, you receive £52.76 in council tax benefit per month, and therefore you are paying £27.24 per month. This needs to be in your SOA. You can just put £27.24 in the outgoings or you can put £80 in the outgoings and £52.76 in your income.

The rent I am not sure about, I am presuming that the £243.60 is what you get monthly. A rent of £60 per week would be 60*52/12=£260 per month. That would leave you having to pay £16.40 a month. Again, this needs to be in your SOA.

I make that a total outgoings of £727.64 and that will leave you each month with £403.56. At this moment in time some people are going to ask, why do you need another credit card, when you have all that money left? However, I may well have got my sums wrong, which is another reason why you need to put everything in your outgoings that you are paying out for each month.

Once we know what that is I and other people will be able to help you control and ultimately remove all of your debt.

One other thing, as a fellow depression suffer, try not to worry about the financial problems you are having. Worrying about them will not do anything to get rid of the problems. It will only cause you anxiety, which is called a Stressor and that in turn will make the depression worse.

The same goes for you medical condition. If you cannot do something today because of it, you might be able to do it tomorrow and therefore there is no need to worry about it today.

As I am on ICB, I was able to do a course called Condition Management but I do not know whether you would be able to do it on Income Support. However, it would only take a phone call to your local Jobcentre for you to find out about it.

Ps. as I said before, ignore them and they will go away. The only person that can upset you is you, so just ignore them.

Toto

Sammy, please don't be put off.Most of us here think you deserve every penny. For those who don't well frankly it's none of their business. You don't make the rules regarding benefits, you didn't ask to have crohns. So, please ignore some of the bitter people who've posted. Most of us really do understand and will help you and your boys.

Snaggles

Sammy, sorry you have been put off - this is the second time this has happened recently and it's horrible. :mad:

I hope you can ignore the critical posts and see that there are people on here who are willing to help and support you.

postingalwaysposting

sammy18 wrote: »

To tell u the truth i have been put off by people having a go at me.i know that it may do peoples heads in that i'm getting the benefit that i do but i get child tax creds for my BOYS,child benefit for my BOYS!income support for me and a top up cos i'm SICK!why does that give a right for people on here to give me a go!!!when my crohns is better and my son is a little older i will go back to work.i went to college part time for 3years while i was ill so i didnt sit on my !!!! scrouging benefits i did the best i could!

sammy i see nothing you have done wrong, saldy some posters find it funny to anger new poster. Please dont leave, you can do this you have amazing strength while being ill and caring for your children... please dont let them get to you

sammy18

shelvis wrote: »

sammy18 wrote: »

Monthly Outgoings:



Gas - £40
Electric - £40
TV License - £12
Cable- £10
Phone - £18
Food - £300
Water -£30
Broadband internet - £10
T-Mobile contract phone - £15
Direct Debit (child fund for second son) £5
Rent arreas £68.40
Council tax arreas £11.60

Total : £400 - I make this £560

soz hun i never added on the last two things,thank youx

astonsmummy

Hi sammy, sod the 'i'm better than you because i pay my taxes' brigade, they are out in force at the moment and i think mrtin would be utterly discusted that his helpful forum is being treated like a ranting bloody playground!
I dont usually post on here but thought i would because i've seen alot of this lately.
Anwyas, regards your money situation, if you are in IS, i thought any maintinece was taken by the dss and you were given just £10 of it?