Low income debt busters?

Kitten868

Hello!

I'm a newbie and a lurker. Just wondering if anyone else here is on a low income? I'm on SMP after having my second baby but I work part time normally so it's not too much of a dip in pay. I am mainly after tips for how to make money out of nothing as there isn't any extra.

So far I have paid off £2750 with another £240 pending so well on the way to £3000 by Christmas!! Very pleased. But worrying as I'm running out of things to sell and can't change my current account anymore.

Debt comes from a car from hell so nothing to show for it.

I don't have any more ways to cut back - I only have my hair cut for birthdays and Christmas presents.

Thank you in advance :money:

AspiringButAnxious

I'm on ESA thanks to long term mental illness, so I receive £102 a week. I'm trying to get freelance work, but have only gotten a few scraps so far — I need to make it work before the end of May, otherwise I can't continue doing permitted work while I receive benefits. My living costs are low, since I live with my parents and pay them minimal rent to cover my food and a little of the utilities. I pay £200 off my loan every month, but aim to pay more once I have some decent savings.

It's hard, but I have learnt to rein in my impulsive spending (a symptom of my mental illness) and to be more content with what I already have. I don't go out much and my friends and I tend to socialise at each other's homes. I have set myself the challenge of paying for all presents with gift cards earned from doing surveys, so that I can still treat my friends and family. I have my hair cut at home nowadays — I have a shoulder length bob cut by my dad and I shape the front — though I also dye it at home every 2-3 months (I try to buy the dye when it's on offer). The only clothes I have bought this year are a few t-shirts and a pair of sweatpants, since those were the only things I absolutely needed. I bought them from a supermarket and intend to buy second hand clothes if/when I need something more expensive. I haven't spent much on toiletries this year, because I have been working my way through a stockpile of shampoo, shower gel and body lotion! I have switched to crystal deodorant, which works better than my previous aerosol and lasts for ages. I use a mooncup, which is great for the environment and means I don't have to buy any sanitary products. I'm trying to cut down on the junk food I buy and have recently switched to Tesco Value cola, since trying to drink cans in moderation was difficult.

It's a struggle and I'm envious when I see people who manage to pay off more than my yearly income in a few months, but it's achievable andmy debt is going down — slowly but surely. I'm also having fun thinking of new ways to save money or make more. I've sold a few things, though I should be doing better on that front. To be honest, my mental health problems are far more of a hinderance than my low income — though, unfortunately, the two often go hand in hand.

crazy_cat_lady

The old style board is full of fantastic hints and tips...

carrielovesfanta

Hi Kitten,

Have a look at the "up your income" board too - there's lots of little pockets of money to be made doing surveys online and other things like that. You do have to dedicate some time to it but you can make a fair bit. My dad probably clears about £160 a year from OnePoll alone!

It sounds like you are doing really well so far but it might be worth you filling in an SOA for yourself so that you can identify any "forgotten" outgoings (I used to ignore certain expenditures and then spend a skint month back in the non-budget days).

Good luck with your journey

clf

rockm87

Hi , you could post a SOA and see if people on here have any more advice for you.

Have you checked you are on all the correct benefits? I think there is a benefits checker online.

Kitten868

Thank you all for your responses. I've been feeling silly as it feels like all the posts I read on here are from people with three times my income and there's nothing jobwise I can do to boost this.
Not really sure about how to complete an SOA as we pay bills jointly but operate our finances seperately and Ive already tackled that side of things. Up to date on benefits. Haven't spent frivolously in about 3 years but it still got bigger so now I'm tackling it. X

rockm87

Just put together a SOA for everything you DO pay for.

Have a look at the 'boost income' board to see what else you can do.

There are people in here with all sorts of income and all sorts of problems, there is nothing that cannot be tackled!

dont worry!