Difference between necessity and luxury?

steve808

Is it just me that thinks £60 a month for water rates is a lot? I've never paid more than £25 a month and a quick google search shows the average for a UK household is £34.58 per month.

mcpitman

richardc316 said:

Is it just me that thinks £60 a month for water rates is a lot? I've never paid more than £25 a month and a quick google search shows the average for a UK household is £34.58 per month.

We pay about £57 a month, over 8 months of the year, so equivalent of £38 p/m

Family of 4 in a 3 bed house, no meter (and don't believe it would be any cheaper if we were).

enthusiasticsaver

mcpitman said:

richardc316 said:

Is it just me that thinks £60 a month for water rates is a lot? I've never paid more than £25 a month and a quick google search shows the average for a UK household is £34.58 per month.

We pay about £57 a month, over 8 months of the year, so equivalent of £38 p/m

Family of 4 in a 3 bed house, no meter (and don't believe it would be any cheaper if we were).

If OP lives in the South West that is probably the most expensive area in the country (due to having to look after beaches). We are in Cornwall and pay £44.50 per month and that is just for 2 of us.  We are on a meter. 

mcpitman

enthusiasticsaver said:

mcpitman said:

richardc316 said:

Is it just me that thinks £60 a month for water rates is a lot? I've never paid more than £25 a month and a quick google search shows the average for a UK household is £34.58 per month.

We pay about £57 a month, over 8 months of the year, so equivalent of £38 p/m

Family of 4 in a 3 bed house, no meter (and don't believe it would be any cheaper if we were).

If OP lives in the South West that is probably the most expensive area in the country (due to having to look after beaches). We are in Cornwall and pay £44.50 per month and that is just for 2 of us.  We are on a meter. 

Seems i'm on a fair deal then... i'm in the midlands.

Fireflyaway

Your grocery bill looks high for 2 people, I think you could cut that down. I think curtains are definitely a necessity for privacy and keeping out drafts and the light when we get long summer evening's. Places like B&M do good but well priced ones. Clothes and shoes. You don't need much. I only have 1 pair of shoes. 
Maybe write a list of all the things you would like / need and research some prices online and then decide each month which items you will purchase. 
I agree with the posters that said both you and your partner need to agree how to handle money. You need to put the child before your own wants so for your partner it may mean fewer trips to the shop!  Main thing is try to remember it will get better. Being young on a low income with a baby can be tough and you will probably have to make sacrifices but work hard and make good choices and it will improve. Normally I'd say there should be no secrets in a relationship but if hiding some money away is the only way to keep some cash saved I'd do it. After 17 years of marriage my husband had a mental health episode and moved out! I never thought that would happen. It's made me realize the only person I can truly depend on is myself! I earn the same each month as you but my rent is £1150 a month. It's very very tight financially but I'm still putting a little aside. It's not my child's fault this happened and I want to be able to get the odd treat and replace shoes or buy birthday gifts etc. Don't put yourself and your child in a vulnerable position.