working for nothing!!

Lancashire Lassie · 06-01-2011, 15:10

Ya know I really dont understand how the governement expect us to survive these days I really dont!!!

I live on my own and have done since school. Always been proud to stand on my own two feet but how I've done it without parental handouts I dont know!!

Holding down a full time job 5 years ago was fine. under 18 I was exempt from coucil tax and bills were affordable.

Now its a joke!!

How am I seriously supposed to live. I work to put a roof over my head. But thats it!

How can I get on the property ladder or do my driving lessons when I can only just afford to live!!

at the age of 23 I work full time and live alone so am responsible for all the outgoings. just got a nice counncil tax bill for £132 i have to pay this month and same next month covering me from dec to end of feb. would help if i knew this on dec 1st and not jan 1st!

rent £400
tax £132
water £18
tv licence £26
food £100
travel to work £50
electric and gas roughly £80+

that comes to £806... my monthly wage after tax isnt much more.

how are we expected to live these days!

and because Im not a single mother or over the age of 25 Im not entitled to any help.

pople say 'living beyond your means' how do you live within your means nowadays!!

JOKE JOKE JOKE!

Rant over

lol suggestions welcome.

pipinfort · 06-01-2011, 15:16

I`d check the TV licence , a colour tv licence costs just over £12 a month, £145.50 a year......

Lancashire Lassie · 06-01-2011, 15:19

i know hun i just moved and didnt hav one at my last house :0

for the next 6 months its £26 and then after that its £12 again

they pro rata it for the year or something.

MargaretR · 06-01-2011, 15:31

"electric and gas roughly £80+"
..that looks a bit too much.... if you are out a lot working full time.
It sounds as though you are one of those 'costa plenty' prepayment meters.

SamF · 06-01-2011, 15:34

Houseshare ?

Ken Moss · 06-01-2011, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

"electric and gas roughly £80+"
..that looks a bit too much.... if you are out a lot working full time.
It sounds as though you are one of those 'costa plenty' prepayment meters.

I'm afraid not Margaret. Even terraced house are remarkably expensive on the fuel front as I found out two years ago when my monthly bills went up to £130. Following a fairly hefty rebate 12 months later they dropped my payments considerably but it was still £85 for some time.

I'm pleased to say that my stove has given Scottish Power the best kick in the nuts that I could have wished for as even during the coldest weather my heating bill is suddenly down to about £10 per week.

lancsdave · 06-01-2011, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lassie

Ya know I really dont understand how the governement expect us to survive these days I really dont!!!

food £100

Try the Tesco own brand beans instead of Heinz

MargaretR · 06-01-2011, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I'm afraid not Margaret. Even terraced house are remarkably expensive on the fuel front as I found out two years ago when my monthly bills went up to £130. Following a fairly hefty rebate 12 months later they dropped my payments considerably but it was still £85 for some time.

I'm pleased to say that my stove has given Scottish Power the best kick in the nuts that I could have wished for as even during the coldest weather my heating bill is suddenly down to about £10 per week.

I have heating on 24/7 and maintain a temp of 24C year round
My dual fuel costs have recently been recalculated as £53 per month,
I am in a 1st floor flat with low ceilings, but I do not gain heat from the flat below because the man who lives there only comes home to sleep, and doesn't use his central heating.

I have gone overboard on insulation more than most people do (blinds+lined long curtains, draught exclusion, thermilate paint additive) - I think it really does make a difference.

garinda · 06-01-2011, 17:32

It's the same the whole world over,
It's the poor what gets the blame.
It's the rich what gets the pleasure.
Ain't it all a bleedin' shame?

Just keep your head down, keep a hand on yer tuppence, and carry on as you are, and you won't go far wrong in life.

***Mr D*** · 06-01-2011, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lassie

rent £400
tax £132
water £18
tv licence £26
food £100
travel to work £50
electric and gas roughly £80+

that comes to £806... my monthly wage after tax isnt much more.

how are we expected to live these days!

and because Im not a single mother or over the age of 25 Im not entitled to any help.

I feel your pain. its hard.

Add to that list.

Car Running Cost
Car / House / Pet Insurance
Pet food
SKY TV
Internet
Mobile Phone
Previous Debt Repayments

Probably a few more I have missed.

I also find it hard being the only earner in my family 2 Adults / 2 Kids.

My Gas Bill is at the moment £77 Per Month. And Im still Freezing.

Best advise I can give is dont let it get you down, I went through a stage where money worries where getting me down. Now I dont worry as something allways seems to happen and you get through it.

I (Unless for some good luck) can see myself being able to own a property without getting into some serious (Risky) debt.

Barrie Yates · 06-01-2011, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

keep a hand on yer tuppence,

Cost of living has risen a great deal - sure it used to be a ha'penny

entwisi · 07-01-2011, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I'm pleased to say that my stove has given Scottish Power the best kick in the nuts that I could have wished for as even during the coldest weather my heating bill is suddenly down to about £10 per week.

Is this a wood burner or something? I reckon I could get enough wood etc for nowt to provide heating but always wondered about the cleaning/hassle/hot water aspect of it.

spex357 · 07-01-2011, 07:38

It wasn't that long ago Charabang rides to Whalley Abbey where the highlight of the year and we all used to crap down a hole in a shed down the street. As soon as that shed went crapping became much easier but look at how much more it costs.

Ken Moss · 07-01-2011, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

Is this a wood burner or something? I reckon I could get enough wood etc for nowt to provide heating but always wondered about the cleaning/hassle/hot water aspect of it.

Yes it is and getting hold of wood is no problem but coal isn't terribly expensive and throws out a lot more heat when combined with logs. You simply sweep the hearth and empty the ash pan once a day, not really much of a problem. Mine doesn't have a back boiler so we still use the combi boiler for hot water but it's comfortably reduced the amount that we use the heating system by at least 75% and looks great too.

The initial installation is fairly expensive but you'll easily have your money back within two years.

Boeing Guy · 07-01-2011, 08:02

Sorry to hear about your predicament Lancashire Lassie,
Do you budget? it helps no end.
Get rid of any unnecessary extra's, Sky TV may be nice, but dammed expensive, if you smoke, try to quit, think about selling the Iphone, eat less takeaways, don't go out as much, try not to drink too much alcohol, get pet insurance for your pets.
I take it you cook your own food and don't buy ready cooked stuff.
As Rindi said, just keep going, things may be tough at the moment, but they will get better.