“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

Pooky

That's one tight budget but I've been there and you do what you've got to do. I always used to get winter coats from bootsales/charity shops for mine when they were at school, now with the local Facebook selling pages I'd imagine you can pick up some bargains locally.

I saw someone singing the praises of the school shoe range from Sainsbury's the other day too, they have a handy measuring guide on the bottom of the shoes and seemed to be half the price of Clarke's. I could never afford Clarke's but it was always had to find sturdy shoes in some of the cheaper ranges.

Fingers crossed your PIP is sorted soon and hope the smells are all on the mend.

teafor2

Morning WB Hope the smalls aren't feeling too poorly.

I think setting realistic budgets shows you're moving forward in the right direction and are thinking more clearly about what you actually need to support your family. Having to keep dipping into the debt money must have been demoralising.

If £13 is all that's left over then that's all they can have. I know you don't like the thought of it hanging around for years but things might change. For now you've covered everything that you and the family need.

Have a lovely day. xx

warby68

You're doing so well these days, especially mentally

I think its perfectly reasonable to only make minimal debt repayments. Its fairly obvious you really should have (and need) the PIP and it will be transformational for you. So plodding along until that is reviewed and hopefully reinstated is sensible. You spend barely anything on non-essential things and having a budget which is realistic removes the stress/crisis element of having to 'fail' quite frequently on a less realistic one.

You don't need to worry about having nothing new to report either , for one its YOUR diary and secondly, nothing new is probably a good thing for you (for the most part)

Take care.

[Deleted User]

Just wanted to add that Asda school shoes are fab. I bought DS's shoes last August for £12 and they have lasted him all year with no major scuffs or anything. We'll only be replacing them because he has outgrown them now, otherwise we could well squeeze another term or two out of them. They also do PE pumps for £2.50 which are also still doing well after a whole year of usage.

I've now bought him some black mesh detail trainers from there that he uses for both PE and normal school days (he doesn't like the PE pumps much) and they were only £9 and are honestly great. They're the same quality as Sainsbury's but around 50% cheaper.

[Deleted User]

Also, Aldi have their uniform event on from this Thursday I think.

Suffolk_lass

Did you mean to say your school snacks budget was £15? - you say it is unavoidable at £1 each a week but there are only 2 weeks to go before the school holidays so only £6 before September (more for the uniforms pot to take advantage of the offers maybe?)

WannabeFree

Thank you for all the replies

I have used Asda for this past years uniform and it has lasted well so will probably do that again. PE kit and cardigan/jumpers have to have the logo. But everything else will be supermarket.

I replied about the budget as I realise it looks generous compared to before. But I think keep setting the unrealistic goals of cutting the grocery etc to less than it is now was just unrealistic and making me worry even more.

SL I don't actually receive any money in until the 25th so school will already be over. So that's the plan. The snack money/school other to cover everything needed. Uniform/shoes/PE kit and coats etc. DS will also need some bits for the residential which will come from this budget. Youngest shouldn't need shoes. She got new good quality shoes when she had her recent AFO's so providing the AFO's don't change her shoes won't need too right now. She will need a coat though.

The DLA is obviously what we need. It more than doubles the income overall (which makes me feel bad as it's benefits ) but I'm also now confident (excluding the debt) manage comfortably on what we have without the constant back steps and feeling like a failure. I know I will still worry about the debt etc but this way it's one thing to worry about rather than everything.

teafor2

If you're entitled to the benefits then you're entitled to them so I wouldn't worry about that.

If all your outgoings you've listed come to nearly £1,000 does that mean when you say your income will more than double with DLA that you'll have another £1,000 a month to play with when it comes through? Or am I not understanding that correctly. xx

WannabeFree

Yes Tea. Between the DLA and the other payments it changes its more than £1000 a month more than now.

Toni'sfriend

That's a lot of money. And if you are managing to look after yourself and three children on £1000 a month it's no wonder you're struggling. I am totally in awe of how you do it. As for being on benefits. You're entitled. That's why we have them. Don't ever feel guilty about that.