How do I stop myself from drowning???

pippamannequin

I've posted a few times on here with sometimes advice and sometimes asking for help, I've been through quite a lot and tried my best to cope, get by, stand on my own two feet and believe me there's been times when i've been desperate, but they've come and gone and in my heart i knew they would.

Now I'm in a fairly good place, I split with my husband last year, we had been evicted due to our landlady passing away, it was an awful time and i felt desperate then. But i coped, somehow, a lot of the times pulling strength from reading other mse'rs post and threads.

But here I am today struggling in the long term and i know im going to drown.

Every month the outgoing are more than the incomings, i try my best, im really careful, i follow every single last bit of advice on here, but my money still doesnt work so i can afford my basics, and i just dont know what else i can cut back on before i sink

If i try and give you an idea of what i have coming in maybe there be something i could tweak?

incomings p/w
child benefit 30.20
working tax credits /c tax credits 152.90
wages (self employed ) £20 (on a good week)
housing benefit £ 42.00
maintenance £80.00
Total £325.10

outgoings

rent £196.15
c.tax £24.90
elec £8.46
Gas £13.46
water £5
internet £3.50
telephone £2.50
t.v £2.70
House insurance £4
car insurance £6
Kids train fares £20
shopping/food £40.00

Total £326.67

ok so as you see i dont pay extortionate amounts for anything, this is without petrol for my car, which i need from time to time but just cant afford, i know i can make money working but just dont have the money for materials/advertising etc and i know it will take a couple of years being self employed before i start to make anything significant truly, so i am SO actively looking for employment like you wouldn't believe so i dont have to break my neck just to afford to give the kids pocket money, which i was once able to do but now cant.. i just feel like im going to drown any help will be so appreciated

skint_spice

Sorry, I've not much helpful to offer but could you move somewhere cheaper - seems most of your income is spent on the rent? would you get more in housing benefit if you moved?

Merlot

Surely you are entitled to more help with the rent?

Off to find a link entitled to.com.

Merlot.x.

gallygirl

Changing your job seems an obvious one, it doesn't affect your credits like for like I believe?

pippamannequin

Thankyou, i get the maximum hb as it is so id get the same if i did move somewhere cheaper, HOWEVER thats impossible as i was evicted and have really poor credit rating and desperate when i found this house, my eldest boy had moved through 7 schools by the time he was 13, and i finally found this house and they took me without any credit checks so i grabbed it..however it isnt any more than local rents to be honest, the best i could do is maybe save £75.00 a month? But am tied into a 3 year contract, which in all honesty, my kids needed.

pippamannequin

ali007 wrote: »

Changing your job seems an obvious one, it doesn't affect your credits like for like I believe?

Thankyou as i said i'm looking so hard, believe me, only last week i was desperate to apply for a couple that i could only apply through on ms word docx through internet sites and came on this forum to get help to open them am trying, unfortunately i live in one of the worst places in the country for pay and steady employment The problem is i cant rely on 'if i get a job' im sinking now, on what i have coming in and going out

Merlot

What type of job are you looking for? Does it have to fit in with school hours? Could you be a cleaner/mid day assistant, I know its not glam, but its a start, and they say its easier to get a job when your in a job.

Have a look at the local school websites for any vacancies, or your local council website.

Merlot.x.

Merlot

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/ Heres the link for you, sorry it took so long, I am on the laptop and I useless with this touchpad thingy.

novagirl

Any way that you can reduce your food bill? Try using money off coupons when you go shopping as even a small reduction in places can help until that job comes along.

pippamannequin

novagirl wrote: »

Any way that you can reduce your food bill? Try using money off coupons when you go shopping as even a small reduction in places can help until that job comes along.

I really do everything i possibly can do here, the food bill covers me, my two sons aged 12 and 15, 3 cats including packed lunches, however the eldest takes £5 a week in lou of packed lunches as he was virtually starving himself ( a bit like me ) the cats, i buy value mince and lasts them a week, so they cost me about a pound (maybe a tiny bit more) a week, with a big box of biscuits, so no one please dont suggest i get rid of them

bestmumof3

Is there a Credit Union near where you live.

I know, obviously, you dont want to borrow just to live, but even if you could open an account with, say, a few pounds. They could give you a short-term loan until you increase your employment.