Appealed benefits and me living cheaply has given me huge savings but paranoid

combinedman

I had over £4000 in combined ESA and DLA backdated money 2 years ago but apart from that I live thriftily though you wouldn't know it as I have luxuries like nice tv and computer in living room and bedroom (I built pcs and tvs are a few years old)

The main reasons for me having savings is after that money came in I moved to cheaper accomodation so I have no top up, I almost never have heating on in winter so my electric bills are only about £7 a week, I have a bus pass so go to supermarket late and stock up on the reduced things so can get loaves of bread for like 9p, and ready meals for around 50p so I can get a weeks shop for under £10 I even repair faulty things than get new/second hand such as taking apart washing machine.

The rest just goes in the bank.

I have bad mental health problems though and I owe £600 in old council tax arrears (so going to use my savings for that in part) and either don't leave house for days at at time or when I do I freak out a lot but to passers by at most they think I am a strange but friendly person.

I have about £6500 saved up due to my thrift and backdated money.

So I am better off to some people than a worker but I live in a tatty council estate (the type that has many flats boarded up, or gardens covered in rubbish hence cheap rent here) meaning mental health is unable to get better but anywhere in a better area and I am not talking "posh" just normal would cost almost double what I am paying now as its 2 bedrooms (cheaper for 2 bedroom here than 1 bedroom in most towns even in poor areas) and I like that 2nd bedroom for guests that arrive about once every month for 2 nights to give me company

So I am living with reduced food, in a rough area and saving the pennies yet can afford to move somewhere nicer but part of me thinks whats the point as its just more to pay every month, similar for eating non reduced food and part of me thinks I need to get rid of cash so its a good idea to move, or buy better food so I am trying to be in the middle.

Sorry a little off topic maybe but I have a few problems now, I am over the savings threshold so need to spend the money plus I feel guilty about having money but not working.

Another thought was going on a nice holiday for a week or two but thats the similar issues, why pay £200 for a week in a caravan if I can get one in same town for £100 (though the cheaper one may be a box room and badly maintained) just like why spend £30 on a nice meal out when I can get a £9 buffet sort of thing.

So my mind is arguing with itself on spend the money but other part saying get everything cheap so I can get more things from the money and another saying well I don't want or need anything like I have a printer which doesn't print very well but I only use it for labels or letters anyway so it doesnt need to be so why pay £50 on a new one even though it would be nice.

Ahhh sorry just trying to get my head around things

Final things was thinking of buying a passport and driving licence even if unused for I.D Purposes in part and maybe a moped for driving as would get me out of the house and I am too panicky to drive a car at moment.

What should I do?

tomtontom

You don't need to spend the money. Just declare it and have a small reduction on any means tested benefits.

combinedman

How small is small though? The other reasoning for me was by not spending it I would get my money lowered so its self defeating by not doing so but didn't want to splash the cash either or in other words for living as cheaply as possible I am "rewarded" by getting less money each week so it affects my mental health more.

I was also thinking of getting private councilling but that will be expensive or helpers but I can physically do things its my mental health thats the problem.

CakeCrusader

Hi, combinedman

I think that once people have had a really tough time financially, when things get better they either spend (a lot), or they carry on scrimping because they believe that another rainy day is around the corner. There's nothing wrong with being thrifty, but don't let it stop you from buying things which will make your world a nicer place - a picture, a book, a trip out, or a CD, just something that makes you smile (I don't mean spend all of it on tat, a book from a charity shop is great). I personally think the stuff in the shops is overpriced, so I take my hat off to you (or I would if I wore one).

Having a break is a great idea, as is moving somewhere which is a bit nicer, as they all bring a boost to our self esteem and give us something to look forward to. I don't think anyone here can or should tell you what to spend your money on, this has to be your choice, and only you know what this is. Have a think about what will improve your life, and take it from there. Look at the plus points and the negative points, and write them down.

Darksparkle

DLA won't be affected by savings.

Is your ESA income or contributions based?

What other benefits do you get?

combinedman

DLA care and motability low and ESA work related income based. and then housing benefit.

CakeCrusader

combinedman wrote: »

How small is small though? The other reasoning for me was by not spending it I would get my money lowered so its self defeating by not doing so but didn't want to splash the cash either or in other words for living as cheaply as possible I am "rewarded" by getting less money each week so it affects my mental health more.

I was also thinking of getting private councilling but that will be expensive or helpers but I can physically do things its my mental health thats the problem.

Counselling is a great idea you know. If you moved house, or went on holiday, the problems that cause your ill health will still be there. It's a long term thing though, but I don't think it's too expensive. Have you had a look online? A counsellor works out at about £35-£50 per hour per week. You'd be able to move house, have a small holiday and see a counsellor by the looks of it

combinedman

Another thing is years ago I liked a night out once or twice a month but thought to myself it was expensive (like £3 a drink) so that money would be better spent elsewhere. I could in theory go for a few nights out and afford it but its wrapping my head around saying I won't overspend/splash out in either mental health ways or just not paying attention to wallet and spending like £80 in a night.

That being said theres a 90p a drink place in the city centre (most places are around £1 due to students) and £20 for taxi home still means a cheap but cheerful night.

Darksparkle

As I mentioned, DLA won't be affected.

Your means tested benefits will be affected by any savings over £6,000. They'll be reduced by £1 per week for every £250 over the £6000.

combinedman

Thats not too bad really, I know after paying the late council tax that will cover a chunk of it.

About the council tax, the main reasons I never paid it was I forgot due to my mental heath plus disability (I have aspergers) and by time I remember I get a letter in post saying as I haven't paid they have charged me extra and that stresses me out and angers me at same time, I know its my fault I forgot but I forgot due to mental health reasons rather than just not being bothered and by adding a fine on top means my health problems cost me more.

To be honest if it wasn't for the fact I get housing benefit what I would do is rent a bedsit somewhere so I can travel there at weekends like a mini holiday so maybe a weekend one week and 3 or 4 days next week as that would still be cheaper than going away and work as respite for me, its more soothing to stay in a house than a hotel due to having all mod cons even cooking and a fridge available.

tomtontom

combinedman wrote: »

Another thing is years ago I liked a night out once or twice a month but thought to myself it was expensive (like £3 a drink) so that money would be better spent elsewhere. I could in theory go for a few nights out and afford it but its wrapping my head around saying I won't overspend/splash out in either mental health ways or just not paying attention to wallet and spending like £80 in a night.

That being said theres a 90p a drink place in the city centre (most places are around £1 due to students) and £20 for taxi home still means a cheap but cheerful night.

Is this a question about your benefits entitlement or your attitude to spending money? It's coming across that it is the latter, and if so this is not the correct board.

If you do want it moving to more of a discussion board then you can ask a board guide to move it. Their details are at the bottom of the board, although I can't guarantee any are currently/ recently active.