NST December: Debt Destruction December

Fmess

I’ve also been loving the strongmen on TV tonight Apple,it’s definitely Christmas now!

One more get up

laurenh1

thrifty I wonder of some of that is childcare? If you dont earm much they pick up 90% of bill. If 3 kids were under 3 or even two her bill will be astronomical. I pay 100 pound a day to send mine (2 kids). Meant to get 20% back via tax free childcare. I think the system is mental, some get too much some get left without food in the fridge, madness.

Had an amazing time in Edinburgh, stuck to budget hurrah:) & got a free breakfast as card machine down - yay. Saved what I would have spent.

Thank you to who ever recommended the dome, popped in for a coffee- what a place!

Will update budget after ive been shopping wed. Think kids might need new shoes & still waiting on tax free childcare payment.

Greatful for- my parents having the boys, & spending some time with my hub, my hub buying me the loveliest charm for my bracelet which says "family forever" , new traditions, and for a bed to sleep in. Alarmed by the homelessness in Edinburgh and cannot help but count my blessings xx

Kerry_Woman

Day 18
Today was a spend day. Spends put into notebook.
Did manage only a tiny bit of decluttering and a tiny bit of housework.
Grateful for:
Sorting out a few more bits for Mummy's funeral.
Dinner around a friend's house.
Went to bingo with friend.
Did some self care.

mothernerd

thriftylass wrote: »

Hello,

usually don't post this month but this one left me perplexed (just wondering if I have a jealous overreaction ):


Someone else's diary (lovely lady, working, that wants to tackle her debt, so not a dig on her):

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 6
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 900
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 3527.64
Other income............................ 975
Total monthly income.................... 5402.64

Really!!! That is a post tax income £64824. We're fortunate to earn 30 and 40k respectively and get together less than 4k a month after tax and childcare vouchers and including child benefit? She seemed like a lovely lady, working etc. It's more the system I think is wrong.

Sorry just can't believe it. Is that the norm?

I know you aren't having a go at the OP, Thrifty, but I felt the need to comment/ offer some points to defend this amount. Her rent is £1200 pcm, childcare is £1000 (so it may well be , as f0xh0les suggests, that the extra income is the repayment/ refund on childcare expenses).

Two of the children are in nappies and at nursery - her childcare costs are higher than her income (which is why one parent often drops out of work when the second child comes along, as in the short term, it's economically unviable). Said parent (usually but not necessarily, the mother) is then missing from the workforce at a time when rapid promotions are possible and may have problems rejoining the workforce or finding employment at anything like their former level. This has an enormous effect on future earnings and final pensions.

The car costs over £500 per month to keep on the road (it's only worth £500 as an asset) but might be something of a necessity to get 6 young children/ babies around.

I also noticed that only 4 of the children are hers, so maybe she's fostering (another possible source of the extra income) or has taken on children of a relative or her ex-partner's from a previous relationship.

So a lot of that 'income' isn't actually 'hers' but is allocated to other people (she will be being paid 'in arrears' so she is getting back money she had to pay out 4-6 weeks ago.

To answer your question NO this isn't the norm. The majority of people on benefits who are single claimants get around £50 per week or less. They may get housing costs too (again now paid 6 weeks in arrears). If they are married or co-habiting their partner is expected to support them and if they have children they both have to work to get 'in work' benefits.

Very few people have 6 children. Last years budget proposals planned to stop CTC after the first 2 children. It is very easy to see the effect this would have on this claimant - a hard working woman who would be plunged into poverty with no chance of escape. This proposal was not cancelled, only postponed. It will be re-introduced at some stage if this government stays in power.

The woman doesn't have a mortgage, her only asset is an old banger of a car, she isn't living extravagantly. She is quite lucky that her skills can be utilised to earn a reasonable income around the children and that she will be able to increase this income as the children grow.

It's easy to look at these figures and be envious but when you examine them, it's a short-term situation. The high childcare cost period will end soon and her other benefits will reduce as her income grows. In the long term your 2 earner, home owning family will be better off.

Some people might think £62 per week is a lot to pay me for looking after my mother, something I would do anyway. That is until you consider that her partner's care home costs him £3000 per month. Anything involving personal care has high costs. When I first worked as a (volunteer) welfare rights worker (did get paid for a while later) parents of disabled children under 5 were not entitled to help because the argument was that any under five would need constant care.

Oh dear I am going on again. I did not mean to lecture and I am not having a go at you thrifty. It's more that we need to stop and look at the true situation (don't judge until you've walked a mile in their shoes).

I only came on to update my signature. Finally made it to the doctor's this morning. Had no choice about who I saw but was lucky enough to get the lovely doctor (maybe he is tired of working through a packed list whilst nasty doctor sits in splendid isolation).

Depression review score has come down - I'm now stable, so only have to review it in 6 months and can get the tablets on repeat prscription. He could increase the dosage (it's already quite high) but runs the risk of more side effects - the dizziness and the hand tremors are quite bad enough now. Will continue CBT - may need to go to the 3rd level follow on course.

Had a swab for on eminor problem and a couple of meds to try. Anti-inflammatory gel for my shoulder and try to keep it moving. Also managed to cancel another of mum's pills (we have enough in the drawer to last into 2019).

Went for the prescription then to the 'friends' shop for one of their excellent baked potatoes (getting to the doctor's meant no bath or breakfast). Also tried to cook stew and soup last night but no matches - bought a large box last week but they have disappeared. Just time to eat then off out to chair based exercise class.

Mum wanted me to withdraw some money for her. Mini Christmas trees on sale outside the shop, down to £1.50 from £3.50. Could normally spend £2.50 - £3.75 on grave pots (used to make my own but the new holly bushes are not very big yet). Bought 5 mini trees, total cost £7.50 but they are also in mini buckets - copper colour and was considering buying something similar to hold pens. So spent less than expected and had extra value/ free items on top.

Went out again at about 4.30 pm to tackle some of the multi-headed list. I have adjusted my signature to reflect my spending.Two bags worth for mum (+ letting her have some of my toilet roll mountain), a couple of festive bits - choc biscuits, necessaries like replacement light bulbs and bin bags and a large flffy ball of multi coloured wool for me (Christmas present money).

Still need at least one SM dash but taxi will cost less than the remaining home delivery slots and may pick up a few ys bits as well.

Today I am grateful for not getting carried away by things I don't need, for making some progress on clearing my room (thinking about moving furniture again), for a slightly weird couple at the doctor's being quite amenable in the end (I played the granny card) and for getting quite a lot of boring shopping done when the shops were quiet.

Fmess

Took proactive steps at the weekend and started selling on eBay again. Started with items I bought at that make up sale with my friend, first one sold in 24 hours, I paid £5 for it, they paid me £15 for it plus pp which I covered with stamps that o already had a recycled Jiffy bag. I’m going to start tonight and list as much as I possibly can.

Have a good day all

apple_muncher

Good move, fmess!

greent

Great stuff, Fmess x

Today will involve spends - OH, DD, DS2 and DD's bf have gone off to HPotter Studio Tour. DD & DS2 still need some more bits for Xmas/ DS2's Jan bday, so have a budget they can spend for that in the shop. Other spends are to be from their own money They have gone off with drinks for the car and a packed lunch (with some snacky treats too). I'm anticipating a possible McD's or similar on the way home, as I know it will be a long day and possibly too late to leave it to eat when you then add the drive home in.

That leaves me at home with DS3 (8) and DS1 (17) DS1 is still in bed - he was out with friends yesterday from around 2- 10pm and has his cadets Xmas meal out tonight (usually around a midnight finish) so I'm happy to leave him in bed for a while longer. I have a huge to-do list, which involves a trip to Sains (have a £12 off £60 coupon and have a list) I am then hoping that one more quick trip to either Tesc0 or A1di (both v local) before the weekend should see us done for Xmas - I'll stock up on milk then and get the last of the veggies. I'm not into shopping for reduced bargains on Xmas Eve/ Boxing Day - I'd rather stay away from the crowds and spend the time at home with the children

My breakfast today was 2 YS croissants (cost for the 2 was 5p ) and lunch is leftovers of last night's dinner. One of my jobs is a tidy/ sort/ clean of the fridge before the Sains trip

On that note - I really should get a move on.....
x

thriftylass

laurenh1 wrote: »

thrifty I wonder of some of that is childcare? If you dont earm much they pick up 90% of bill. If 3 kids were under 3 or even two her bill will be astronomical. I pay 100 pound a day to send mine (2 kids). Meant to get 20% back via tax free childcare. I think the system is mental, some get too much some get left without food in the fridge, madness.

mothernerd wrote: »

I know you aren't having a go at the OP, Thrifty, but I felt the need to comment/ offer some points to defend this amount. Her rent is £1200 pcm, childcare is £1000 (so it may well be , as f0xh0les suggests, that the extra income is the repayment/ refund on childcare expenses).

Two of the children are in nappies and at nursery - her childcare costs are higher than her income (which is why one parent often drops out of work when the second child comes along, as in the short term, it's economically unviable). Said parent (usually but not necessarily, the mother) is then missing from the workforce at a time when rapid promotions are possible and may have problems rejoining the workforce or finding employment at anything like their former level. This has an enormous effect on future earnings and final pensions.

So a lot of that 'income' isn't actually 'hers' but is allocated to other people (she will be being paid 'in arrears' so she is getting back money she had to pay out 4-6 weeks ago.

To answer your question NO this isn't the norm. The majority of people on benefits who are single claimants get around £50 per week or less. They may get housing costs too (again now paid 6 weeks in arrears). If they are married or co-habiting their partner is expected to support them and if they have children they both have to work to get 'in work' benefits.

Very few people have 6 children. Last years budget proposals planned to stop CTC after the first 2 children. It is very easy to see the effect this would have on this claimant - a hard working woman who would be plunged into poverty with no chance of escape. This proposal was not cancelled, only postponed. It will be re-introduced at some stage if this government stays in power.

The woman doesn't have a mortgage, her only asset is an old banger of a car, she isn't living extravagantly. She is quite lucky that her skills can be utilised to earn a reasonable income around the children and that she will be able to increase this income as the children grow.

It's easy to look at these figures and be envious but when you examine them, it's a short-term situation. The high childcare cost period will end soon and her other benefits will reduce as her income grows. In the long term your 2 earner, home owning family will be better off.

Oh dear I am going on again. I did not mean to lecture and I am not having a go at you thrifty. It's more that we need to stop and look at the true situation (don't judge until you've walked a mile in their shoes).

Thank you guys, that's exactly why I asked. To get some inside info on the system and look beyond the numbers.

It explains a lot but also highlights inequalities as you say. Like I couldn't and didn't have 4 or even just 3 kids as I couldn't afford to work and wouldn't get any help if I did with childcare. In her case she gets to keep her income and gets childcare paid. All of mine had to go on childcare and I didn't have a penny in my name. But as you also rightly say other aspects are affected like pension, housing prospects etc. It must be hard to make the system fair as there are so many factors to consider.

Same as I think that the £65 you get to look after your mum, mothernerd are a pittance.

dolly84

mothernerd - I think you and I would have completely opposing political views, I think if you decide to have several children you should be able to support them, it is your choice to have them.

Today will be a NSD I hope. Yesterday was not a good day really, things kept going wrong.

Kids had a great time at their school fair yesterday and came home buzzing. I thing DH gets paid today but I take it out of the current account and then put it back in on his normal pay day so we don't have that long wait till the next payday.

DH came home with another bottle of wine yesterday from a customer (isn't it supposed to be the other way around?), we have run out of space in the wine rack now but we'll cope.

I am hoping the petrol I have in my car lasts this week out, I take the kids to school and pick them up which is 20 miles a day in total, doing this is much cheaper than the bus for two of them though and gives me peace of mind that they are safe.

Need to complete my grocery shop for delivery tomorrow but will all still be within budget.

thriftylass

dolly84 wrote: »

mothernerd - I think you and I would have completely opposing political views, I think if you decide to have several children you should be able to support them, it is your choice to have them.

I do agree to a certain point. But there need to be measures in place for certain circumtances. What if they were able to afford the 4 kids but then the husband/breadwinner died/ran off/isn't paying support. Impossible to discriminate between a mother like that and one that like you say maybe should've stopped at two because they didn't have the means in the first place. It's minefield