Feeling lost and overwhelmed...

Upsidedown_Bear

patman99 wrote: »

One thing that puzzles me is that you say you earn just over £20,000 p/a, but this would work out at way more than £1100 p/m after deductions.

I used to take home £1250 p/m on an £18k p/a salary.

The OP is paying back a credit union loan that is taken out of salary before they get it.

Post 1: "£3000 credit union loan (paid at £250 a month before I get my pay check)"

Need_A_Map

*nods*

That, plus:
Tax
NI
Works pension (5%?)
Second state pension (because you can't opt out anymore :mad:)
Student loan

I think that's it - about £700 ish in deductions a month. :eek:

Should have been an accountant...

Upsidedown_Bear

Need_A_Map wrote: »

*nods*

That, plus:
Tax
NI
Works pension (5%?)
Second state pension (because you can't opt out anymore :mad:)
Student loan

I think that's it - about £700 ish in deductions a month. :eek:

Should have been an accountant...

You can opt out if you are paying into a contracted out workplace pension scheme.
Some info here:
https://www.gov.uk/additional-state-pension/eligibility

The MSE income tax checker is here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tax-calculator/

Need_A_Map

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

You can opt out if you are paying into a contracted out workplace pension scheme.

I was told not, and that page was as clear as mud, but I'll email HR Monday morning.

Thank you.

tlc678910

Do you have a spare room OP? If you do you could you ask your landlord if you could share (especially if they appreciate things are tight?)

I know you mentioned you are enjoying your own space but you might be able to find someone (perhaps at work) that is a good match for you and then you can split your rent and all the utilities.

Well done on your weight loss :T

Butti

Per Una is my 'drug' of choice. The way I have dealt with it is to chop my cards up and to ask myself whether another gorgeous dress/shoes/top will be out next year AND it will.

I think your starting point is your rent to your income. To be 'affordable' it should be about 30% or under and yours is nearly 50%. I've sold my house and am living in a shared house at the age of 47! After 20 months its beginning to drag but paying £400 all in for rent and a storage unit is really helping me clear debt. You do need a big room though.