working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

"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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Houseshare ?

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Try the Tesco own brand beans instead of Heinz :)

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

;)

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

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.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

It is very hard, but you have to look at the essentials.....Rent, utility bills and food......they have to be top priorities........anything else has to looked at ruthlessly and wieghed against its worth.
Buy clothes from the charity shops.......buy the 'value' brands in the supermarkets. Look for the 'whoops' offers.
Put money away when you can....even if it is only the loose change in your purse....it mounts up.
Choose your 'treats' carefully.......and enjoy them to the max when you do manage to afford them.
Don't buy takeaways......cook your own food......use up leftovers.
We have all been there.......you have little option but to battle on.
I have been poor....and it teaches you the true value of everything.

I'm on a pension so I do know what it is like to have a fixed and limited income.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Paying £123 council tax per month seems high, do you live in a band D or E house? Have you applied for single persons rebate. Also the council send a bill at the begining of the tax year so you know what you have to pay each month, so you should have known what you ate going to pay in advance.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

You can also elect to pay your Council Tax over 12 monthly debits rather than the 10 they prefer to make, which can help a little too!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: working for nothing!!
 

I have a feeling I have been had.

Lancashire Lass has posted thes following recently:

Thread: Urgeny help needed with washer!
Thread: Re: TESCO - new site in Accrington.
And Thread: National Minimum Wage?

And we get told she has no Money.....

Re: working for nothing!!
 

so she can afford to go out on the last,well done i spent xmas and new year stopping in as i could,nt afford to go out,i have a pre pay meter,but have a convenction wall heater and i dare,nt even put it on,as it uses nearly 1 pound per hour,i dont have double glazing,i buy cheepo foodsie tesco, aldi, lidle, i dont smoke and after all my bills are paid,tv licence,rent top-up,dwp overpayment it leaves me with 25 pounds per week oh yes i have a luxury its called a free sat box,i dare not even put my immersion heater on,so sge feels hard up WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD LOVE,try living in cheaper accomadation,or flat share,thats life and there are people worse off than me,this government is bringing this country to its knee,s

Re: working for nothing!!
 

I expect the phone is required for her job.

I think she is doing well, a young lady with a job and living on her own.
Well done to you I say. At least she is not a burden on the Country like so many others are.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Ya Neil all well and good, but don't post a sob story then in a few days following make posts highlighted by BG Oh and didn't she say she was living with a member of the Travelling community:rolleyes:

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Yes well done, I think she is learning that just like the rest of us, she always as plenty of month left after she has spent her wages.
:D

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Thread gypsies, post 148 in actual fact. Thing is though Jay there are different types of Gypsy, my friends Daughter has recently had a Baby with one of the Sinti gypsies, we were invited to a party to celebrate their moving in together & their future plans. The lad is quite likeable & we were introduced to the whole family (too much to quickly & we were struggling taking everything in i.e. who's who & what relation to each other they held).

By the by, due to their culture the Parents (our friends) asked us to avoid the subject of their Daughters employment/apprenticeship (which she gave up for her Fella) as the Sinti culture places the Woman at home raising Children & keeping house ! So Women earning & being independent is a no go in their eyes, maybe it's the same in this instance ? Who knows ?

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Dave I just mentioned it because some posters had intimated that she lived alone whereas she said she lived with a gypsy, that's all

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Jay she said she lives alone, look at the first post mate. :) As to her partner, no mention of living together just a statement of their being together, which brings me back to the culture aspect.

well since my partner is a traveller I dont think I will change my mind actually. (from thread Gypsys)

Re: working for nothing!!
 

To be honest I think it's a case of the Mid January blues ! I don't think she's alone in this there are probably quite a few other folk out there feeling the pinch, especially at this time of year with all the bills coming in & the hikes in prices affecting most things ! The problem is the cost of living is rising for everyone but the rate of pay isn't thereby leaving Folk with a shortfall that they're struggling to try & make up.

Unfortunately it is those who play by the rules who are placed under the most pressure. The unemployed (either through misfortune or choice) are covered, no matter what happens there costs are met. Those raking it in aren't overly bothered a little annoyed perhaps, but it doesn't really affect them. The low earners & Mr & Mrs Joe average however have to count every penny twice & they are the ones feeling it most especially when you're wondering how secure your future is.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

Who cares if its mid January blues or she just felt like having a rant. Do we need to analyse everything she said to the nth degree.

I might start a rant thread so we can blow off steam without being pulled to bits.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

I trust that her Council tax Bill includes single person discount? It's higher than mine though it maybe the property band. I am a single mum, working full time and don't expect handouts, although I do get tax credits and child benefits, no point applying for Housing benefit as my wages fluctuate if I do overtime. And my current gas/elec is £130 a month. ( fixed rate Scottish Power, I know it's a lot but I can't see the point in being cold and we usually knock it down to bear minimum during the cricket season!)

Costs me £12.50 a week to get to work and £15 bus fares for the child to school, I certainly couldn't afford to run a car.
Life's tough sometimes, and it would be easier if there was a partner to share the bills but hey ho!!:mosher:

Re: working for nothing!!
 

i know! its hard work! the iphones been sold aready lol - no need.

and i dont bother with lushious extras they cant be afforded!!

and I cant do a house share as my fellas moving in in a few months.

want to do my driving lessons but there gonna have to wait.

dreading pay day.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

the council tax bll was issued in dec for dec- end feb but not recieved till jan so only two months to pay the thing hence the higher price. :(

Re: working for nothing!!
 

haha thanks neil yes i think i rather did fancy a rant on that day lol - was in a mood i wish i was a wag and could go shopping lmao xxx

Re: working for nothing!!
 

hey cheeky!! no need for that!

wicked wednesdays is the evening my lovely partner treats me so if=s of no financial cost to me!!

the new washer I have bought from a friend for £75 instead of buying a brand new one.

the £4 at tescos - i had been ill for 4 days and it was my 1st day out of bed - i would have given you all my money to just go home & get back in bed i was so run down i felt so crap - let alone queue for an hour in a busy place at tesco customers service - i didnt have the energy.

no need to nit pick!!

Re: working for nothing!!
 

no i didnt say i was living with a traveller. he is my partner but you dont live together before marriage!!

Re: working for nothing!!
 

fyi my partner lives at home with his mam and dad and the rest of his family

Re: working for nothing!!
 

I know that now because I watched the program on telly about it.

Will you be having a really really really really big dress?

Re: working for nothing!!
 

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Re: working for nothing!!
 

You can ring them up and ask them to spread the cost out over more months.

Re: working for nothing!!
 

haha no neil i will not be wearing a really big dress lol xxx

Re: working for nothing!!
 

if i do that its piling over the other months bills so just gotta get it out the way

Re: working for nothing!!
 

You say you've no money, driving lessons themselves are a luxury and expensive, but when you have passed your test after spending hundreds of pounds on lessons, you then buy a car? insurance, tax, petrol, maintenance, mot etc etc, so who you kidding that you have no money left after paying your bills, you must have plenty left over to pay for the above mentioned items, get a life, most of us are in the same boat whining about it wont change owt, if your that deparate either try and find another job that pays more, or get a 2nd job like a lot of others (including myself) have had to do in the past to make ends meet, rant over with !! :eek: