SOA/ budget

[Deleted User]

armchairexpert wrote: »

Kim, you're an inspiration and you have a lot of people behind you. There'll always be people who feel better about themselves if they can convince themselves that misfortune is a character failing. It isn't.

Totally agree, I've been following your diary and I'm in awe of you.

Pixie5740

I know you're taking you're chasing your ex-husband for child support because you believe he's hiding income from CMS but what about your youngest's father? Does the £131.10 include a contribution from him?

Smodlet

Hi Kim,

Found ya! Took me long enough. Just wanted to say to everyone on here, with one notable exception, heyyyyyyyyyy!

enthusiasticsaver

There are always going to be some judgemental people commenting from the relative anonymity of an online forum and large families seem to attract more than their fair share of it so well done for developing a thick skin Kim and I expect you get it in real life too.

I am seriously impressed you can feed 9 of you on £400. I know this is controversial but have you tried food banks? I think cutting back on the swimming lessons is a must for now until your income rises a bit when you can get back to earning when your nursery age children are older. Mystery shopping may be a possibility but difficult with 4 little ones around I know.

Lauralou79

Surely the welfare system is there for people like Kim who have previously worked and paid their way but fell on hard times. She could quite easily use the children as an excuse not to work ( many do with less kids!)

However she doesn't come across that way at all and when she can I'm sure she will be back in work doing the best she can for her family. Not that it's anyone else's business!

Keep the money saving up you are doing a fab job!

Profligate

kimplus8 wrote: »

wahhhhh what have I missed????
fatbelly and profiligate, thanks for your kind and helpful comments, I have just sent off the watersure info so hopefully that will be sorted asap.........

....I am returning to training in sept to hopefully land a job by Christmas and I am still doing voluntary work to keep my CV on trend and relevant.

You're welcome Kim. Do please ask your council about Discretionary Housing Payments too if you've not done so already - DHPs are there to help people in situations like yours (eg affected by the benefit cap)

Also, don't know if you're aware already, but just wanted to flag up that if you are able to get a job for a least 16hrs by Christmas, I think you should be entitled to Working Tax Credit and therefore exempt from the benefit cap. (Not sure though if you're in a WTC area, rather than a full Universal Credit area).

Unfortunately I still can't post links about the above, but search on Citizens Advice website for info about both DHPs and WTC

I noticed too there's nothing down on your SOA for a TV licence - is this an omission or do you not use a TV?
And nothing down for Council Tax?

Kim_13

Pixie5740 wrote: »

I know you're taking you're chasing your ex-husband for child support because you believe he's hiding income from CMS but what about your youngest's father? Does the £131.10 include a contribution from him?

There was a post last year about him and CMS where it was established that he is claiming to have separated from his wife (who he left Kim to get back with!) so as to reduce his payments. While claiming to be separated, he was also 'paying maintenance' for a step-child to further reduce his payments!

Sadly the CMS system is such that Kim would be better off if there were more fathers (once someone is assessed to pay for 3 children via CMS, any subsequent children are free for the NRP, as the percentage taken is for 3 or more children.)

Kim I hope you don't mind me filling people in; just thought it would save you having to run through everything again.

kimplus8

Kim_13 wrote: »

There was a post last year about him and CMS where it was established that he is claiming to have separated from his wife (who he left Kim to get back with!) so as to reduce his payments. While claiming to be separated, he was also 'paying maintenance' for a step-child to further reduce his payments!

Sadly the CMS system is such that Kim would be better off if there were more fathers (once someone is assessed to pay for 3 children via CMS, any subsequent children are free for the NRP, as the percentage taken is for 3 or more children.)

Kim I hope you don't mind me filling people in; just thought it would save you having to run through everything again.

of course not, great to see u kim x

Honeysucklelou2

You are doing well to feed everyone for £400. I'm feeding the same amount and really struggle to keep to that figure.

Have you tried NFU for insurance? I drive an 8 seater minibus and my insurance is about £42 a month.

Good to see you back on the boards Kim.

EssexHebridean

Well said to those who've explained to Moneyfacts how things work on DFW. While there are occasionally those on here who clearly want a free ride, Kim is so clearly not one of them that comments of that type, on this thread, are severely misplaced.

Kim - keep doing what you're doing. with determination like yours you'll get there in the end!