Can I afford to live alone? Advise need please

Alice_Walker

Evangeline1971 wrote: »

Tacpot I'm sure you mean well but I'd never consider rehoming my dog. There's nobody in this world who means more to me than him and he's the only reason I haven't ended my miserable existence as there's nothing else worth living for. At present I have means of borrowing money if needed for vet care but if I left this wouldn't be an option. However I would be entitled to PDSA treatment which only costs a £5 donation which I know my mum would help out with. It's all irrelevant anyway though as even without my dog it still seems unaffordable.

PDSA treatment does not cost a £5 donation, if everyone took that attitude there would be no PDSA at all. They ask that you pay what you can afford, and in the surgery they will detail how much each treatment costs them. If your dog requires surgery, medication etc your donation should reflect that - it's still going to cost far less than a commercial vet, and it shows you are taking responsibility for your animal.

sangie595

I'm not clear whether your partner is abusive, but you seem to indicate this is the case. Abuse does not mean physically violent only, although it may include it. It may mean verbal or emotional abuse. But if toy had to leave due to domestic abuse, the Dogs Trust have a fostering scheme in parts of the country where your dog will be looked after until you are able to find a home that is suitable for you. It doesn't help with the bills, but it removes one worry. You should also look into cheaper hypoallergenic diet food. There's a lot more on the market than the ones at the vets and the pet shops. Try eBay - they have many versions that are cheaper in cost but not quality. Many do sample packs so you can try them out for a minimal cost. Some of these are even the same stuff you buy in the expensive bags, but unlabeled and packed in plastic bags!

Evangeline1971

Alice_Walker wrote: »

PDSA treatment does not cost a £5 donation, if everyone took that attitude there would be no PDSA at all. They ask that you pay what you can afford, and in the surgery they will detail how much each treatment costs them. If your dog requires surgery, medication etc your donation should reflect that - it's still going to cost far less than a commercial vet, and it shows you are taking responsibility for your animal.

I meant that the cost to the public is £5, although even that isn't compulsory. I was told when I went for a job interview for the PDSA that many people don't make a donation and that if everyone would donate £5 each time they visit there would be enough money. It doesn't run purely on visitor donations, they also receive money from wills and fundraising activity. I would always donate what I can afford, I do take responsibility.

sangie595 wrote: »

I'm not clear whether your partner is abusive, but you seem to indicate this is the case. Abuse does not mean physically violent only, although it may include it. It may mean verbal or emotional abuse. But if toy had to leave due to domestic abuse, the Dogs Trust have a fostering scheme in parts of the country where your dog will be looked after until you are able to find a home that is suitable for you. It doesn't help with the bills, but it removes one worry. You should also look into cheaper hypoallergenic diet food. There's a lot more on the market than the ones at the vets and the pet shops. Try eBay - they have many versions that are cheaper in cost but not quality. Many do sample packs so you can try them out for a minimal cost. Some of these are even the same stuff you buy in the expensive bags, but unlabeled and packed in plastic bags!

Thank you Sangie. He's not abusive but he doesn't understand how much I struggle with day to day stuff that isn't a problem for most people. We argue a lot and when I'm upset I become very dysfunctional so the house gets messy so we argue because of that. Its a vicious circle that I've been trying and failing to break for years.

I don't want to change anything with my dog as he's settled on his food now. I'm currently feeding him a mixture of Eden dry food and Forthglade wet food. The Forthglade is more expensive but he loves it and I feel its a bit mean to only feed dry food. These are the cheapest foods available of this quality and because he had problems previously with other foods I'd be scared to change. Rocco means the world to me and I care about him more than I care about myself. I just couldn't bear to be parted from him, even if it means staying in my current situation. I'm going to apply for social housing to keep my options open and in the meantime sit tight and try to get though as best I can.

Thank you again for all your advice

KxMx

Even in social housing it may be a struggle financially.

Unless OP is over 35 she would still have to top up rent (LHA & HB are being aligned, this means the age to qualify for full HB in SH is now 35 for new tenants not 25 as previously) and most councils only offer full Council Tax Relief to pensioners so that'd have to be topped up too.

The rent top up may be cheaper but that doesn't mean afordable for someone just getting ESA.

For budgeting there would need to be: rent & CT top up, water, electric, gas, telephone & internet, mobile, TV licence, food, toiletries, travel costs, cleaning products, clothes & shoes, savings for when the washing machine needs replacing, pet expenses, furniture, carpets those things all wear out eventually.

Ames

Evangeline and Bananas, you seem to be guessing at living costs without really having anything to base them on (apologies if I'm wrong)?

If you look on the Debt Free Wannabe board and read a few threads there are always people posting up their budgets and others explaining how much they can lower their outgoings. That would give you a much more realistic idea of costs.

Kayalana99

It's not ideal but some sharing places are about £300 a month including bills in my area. You'd struggle to get one that accepts a dog but I bet not impossible.... would it be better then where you are now?

Lamentation

KxMx wrote: »

Even in social housing it may be a struggle financially.

Unless OP is over 35 she would still have to top up rent (LHA & HB are being aligned, this means the age to qualify for full HB in SH is now 35 for new tenants not 25 as previously) and most councils only offer full Council Tax Relief to pensioners so that'd have to be topped up too.

.

Thanks. I wasn't aware of the changes in social housing and housing benefit for the Under 35s to the shared room rate until you mentioned it.

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/under-35-on-housing-benefit-and-impossible-to-house/7015513.article

Topcat1982

Your mum probably means £200 per quarter.

Why will she not let you live with her?