Always skint and have a 3 month old child. I need money advice

PlymouthMaid

Well done for asking for ideas on how to save money and thinking of your child's needs. I agree that food costs are the any real place to save but of you can take laundry home for a while that is a big bonus. Have you tried places like Maccy D's for part time work as I imagine you get fed a bit there too. Work hard at your apprenticeship - things will get better.

Takeaway_Addict

If there is a microwave you could do jacket potatos and fillings.

Potatos are pennies, tinned food is pennies, you could at worst cut your costs daily to a third easily

sulphate

OP, you should also bear in mind that if your child's mother decided to go through the CSA to claim maintenance from you, she would be entitled to £7 a week even on your income, and you would have to pay this money legally so would need to get the money from somewhere.

How far is your mum's house from work? If commuting/housekeeping costs work out less than your current rent, commuting and laundry costs put together then move back in. Nothing wrong with a long commute. Most apprentices are living at home still and not expected to support themselves plus a child.

barbiedoll

I think you're doing well at 19, to be living away from home and spending within your means, it's not easy trying to budget, plenty of people do much worse with much more money.

There have been lots of suggestions about how to cut your (already meagre) costs but if you can't provide money to your baby's mother, you can give your time at least. I assume that you see your child regularly? Do make an effort to give mum a break (baby's mum, not your mum!) and when spending time with your baby, ask mum if there's anything you can do to help her. Take the baby out so that she can have a nap, do some washing up while you're there etc etc.

You're on your way to building a career, you've obviously got a sense of your responsibilities so don't be too downhearted at some of the replies on here. You've got the makings of a decent father in you!

ThinkPink

As its getting cold you could invest in a flask (or even better see if someone like your mum has a spare one) then have soup each day for lunch and then buy bread or rolls when you see them reduced. I reckon you could do this for 50p a day if you stock up when soup is on offer.

scratchyrat

For your £80 a month on food for dinner, what sort of things do you buy?

You could check here and see if it can help reduce your travel costs https://liftshare.com/uk

Depending on what kind of engineering you're doing, you might get more cash offering to do odd jobs than working in a pub or shop. Put an advert up on Gumtree or local Facebook buying/selling pages offering to do things like window cleaning, gardening, wallpapering etc. Ask your landlord if they have any other properties that need maintenance work you could do.

I think people are being a bit harsh, at least the kid is trying. Even if you can't afford to give your kid much money, keep an eye out for nappies and baby things on offer.

Gigervamp

Hi OP, I think you're doing pretty well considering your age.

You should be entitled to LHA/housing benefit. Check your local council website, it should tell you what the rates are for your area. In my area, for someone your age, it's about £55 a week.

Regarding freezing ham slices, you need to separate the slices before freezing them. Package enough for each sandwich in clingfilm or foil and then freeze.

As others have mentioned, check freecycle and local Facebook selling pages for a free or cheap bike.

Some of the replies have been a bit blunt or harsh, but now that you're a parent your child is your first priority. I know it's hard as you've only just become an adult yourself, but you are going to have to make sacrifices. I had my first child at 19, so I do know what it's like.

All the best.

pelirocco

notanewuser wrote: »

You're mixing monthly and weekly costs.

£50 a week rent is £216.67 per month.

What on earth are you eating that 22 dinners a month are costing £80? and then another £44 per month for lunch. Can't you make your own sandwiches and buy multipacks of crisps/apples/bananas? That would be less than £1 a day.

You can't afford to spend nearly 10% of your income on a phone while you're not paying for your child.

Man up !!!!!!.

I would guess he took his phone contract pre child, so comments uncalled for

notanewuser

pelirocco wrote: »

I would guess he took his phone contract pre child, so comments uncalled for

If I couldn't afford my mortgage (taken out 5 years before DD was born) I'm pretty sure people would advise I do something to change that. (I actually had a mortgage at 19 and got no handouts from anyone. I had to work 70 hours a week to pay for it, plus food and utilities.)

My comments stand.

moomoomama27

notanewuser wrote: »

If I couldn't afford my mortgage (taken out 5 years before DD was born) I'm pretty sure people would advise I do something to change that.

My comments stand.

There's no real alternative to ending a phone contract, if you do often you have to pay a massive fee or face debt collectors! Unlike housing there really is no other option but to see the contract through or face bigger payments.