Could you live on approx £95/week?

[Acehood]

There is no rent to pay but you have to buy your own food and pay a couple of bills (£90/month and £20/month) plus run your car (£50month insurance, MOT/Tax/servicing obviously aren't monthly).

I'm just asking because I'm in this situation and really struggling. I'm too ill to work (cancer - having chemo at the moment) and all I'm entitled to is £95/week employment support allowance. Luckily I'm living with my mother which means I don't have to pay rent but she's not exactly flush with cash either so can't fully support me.

I get something like £183 paid into my account every 2 weeks. So that's £366/month, minus £206 - leaves me with roughly £160 to buy my food and anything else I need must come out of this money aswell. Even things like shower gel and toothpaste, it all adds up. £3 here, £2.50 there, £20 petrol, etc etc. I'm consistently overdrawn. Due to the way it's paid every 2 weeks and things coming out at random times of the month it seems like I never actually have any capital.

Before you say get rid of the car, I need it to get to hospital and anywhere else that I need to be - living in a village means public transport isn't an option and getting a lift isn't always an option either. Not sure how I'm going to fork out the 200 odd quid for tax later in the year?!

Any ideas on how I can manage my money better? Is there anything else I'm entitled to claim that I've neglected? I'm pretty sure I've cut down on luxuries compared to when I was working and earning well over £1200 a month. Half the time I'm in bed asleep because I'm so knackered from chemo, I rarely get out to see my mates anymore because I simply can't afford it.

[Wacky Racer]

Obviously it must be very hard, I wish you a full and speedy recovery....

[tuglet]

Have a look here: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/coping-with-cancer/co...

You may be able to get some additional financial or other practical help.

[Jasandjules]

Can you not get something like income support or something relating to ill health? Disability allowance or something?

Also, might be a long shot, but did you have any insurance policies or somesuch for mortgage protection?

ETA - And where you at work? Just thinking that IIRC Cancer is deemed a disability upon diagnosis so your employer/ex-employer would be required to look into reasonable adjustments.

And might I wish you all the best for a speedy and full recovery.

Edited by Jasandjules on Monday 31st May 20:25

[Acehood]

Jasandjules said:

Can you not get something like income support or something relating to ill health? Disability allowance or something?

Nope. Because I'm not classed as 'disabled' (ie; I don't need a carer, I can walk about and do stuff by myself) I don't seem to be able to claim any more money!

For example disablity allowance says;

[quote]To qualify, you may need help getting washed, going to the toilet, getting dressed or have difficulties walking. You will have to have needed this help for at least 3 months and expect to need it for at least 6 months more.

That link which was posted is something I've looked at before (and again just now), the only one I'm entitled to is Employment support allowance, which I'm already getting.

[AMLK]

Is there a Maggies centre or a Macmillan centre at your local hospital? They should be able to give you some financial help that you may not be aware of. I believe Macmillan give grants of £200 towards transportation costs to your hospital appointments. A reluctant suggestion is to give up your car and rely on hospital transport to get to your appointments. Have a look at this link see if there is any info there that may help: http://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/s-198-financial-supp...

Hope chemo goes well, and you get on the road to recovery soon.

[Famous Graham]

Yep, I was living on 65 quid a week. Well, less actually, as my housing benefit (which took care of the rent) didn't include Council tax (£50) or bills (£30).

So £180 a month = £45 a week.

I discovered Lidl's

No car to run, mind.

[OnTheOverrun]

First of all, my sympathies are with you for your plight and the chemo - my business partner has had to have it several times and he's effectively 'dead' for the two or three days after. His advice - keep fighting, never stop for a second.

Now, practicalities. What is the car worth and do you owe anything on it?

[Mobile Chicane]

Sorry to hear this. It sounds as though you've got the stty end end of a very stty stick.

As said, could the 'hospital transport' options be investigated? Also, could you shop around to get better deals on the bills you're paying?

The one thing you don't want to do in your condition is skimp on the food items you need to provide a nutritious and balanced diet.

[Caruso]

Ditching the car and getting a scooter instead would save a lot, but not sure if your condition would preclude that?

[Acehood]

AMLK said:

Is there a Maggies centre or a Macmillan centre at your local hospital? They should be able to give you some financial help that you may not be aware of. I believe Macmillan give grants of £200 towards transportation costs to your hospital appointments. A reluctant suggestion is to give up your car and rely on hospital transport to get to your appointments. Have a look at this link see if there is any info there that may help: http://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/s-198-financial-supp...

Hope chemo goes well, and you get on the road to recovery soon.

I spoke to the Macmillan nurses at the hospital and they weren't able to offer me any further financial support apparently. I did check out that hospital transport thing but it's not regular enough in my area to make it worthwhile. I'm at the hospital at least twice a week at the moment and the appointment times are all over the place. Plus it won't take me to the supermarket to get my weekly shopping.

Famous Graham said:

Yep, I was living on 65 quid a week. Well, less actually, as my housing benefit (which took care of the rent) didn't include Council tax (£50) or bills (£30).

So £180 a month = £45 a week.

I discovered Lidl's

No car to run, mind.

How? What if you needed to buy anything that cost more than a few quid? Anything that's more than about £20 really messes me up for at least a couple of weeks. I guess I should be grateful that I have a roof over my head and all that but it's not my fault that I can't be out there earning some money. For all I know I could be dead within 5 years (quite high mortality rates with my cancer over the longer term apparently) and I don't want to waste my time struggling on a paltry sum of money.

[AMLK]

Are you claiming IB - incapacity benefit - if you are unable to work due to the treatment?
My best advice is to speak to someone when you go to your next appointment. Your hospital SHOULD have someone there to advise you on all the benefit you should be able to claim. As I mentioned before Maggies centres and Macmillan centres are good for this.

Good luck.

[Robert Burns]

Just what i was going to say,

£45 a week when an apprentice,

Instead of a car i got myself a like scooter, got me to college and work. perfect, still bought all my own food and payed phone and saved for my polo once my wages got alot better.

[AMLK]

Acehood said:

I spoke to the Macmillan nurses at the hospital and they weren't able to offer me any further financial support apparently. I did check out that hospital transport thing but it's not regular enough in my area to make it worthwhile. I'm at the hospital at least twice a week at the moment and the appointment times are all over the place. Plus it won't take me to the supermarket to get my weekly shopping.

I am really sorry to hear that, and quite annoyed really. The majority of cancer sufferers do not claim everything that is entitiled to them because they are not aware of it. It is the job of the hospital to help you in that respect.

I will ask when I am next at work (not til next week I am afraid), and see if I can find out anything more from our Maggies centre if you like.

[Acehood]

OnTheOverrun said:

First of all, my sympathies are with you for your plight and the chemo - my business partner has had to have it several times and he's effectively 'dead' for the two or three days after. His advice - keep fighting, never stop for a second.

Now, practicalities. What is the car worth and do you owe anything on it?

Thanks, it's tough but I do have age on my side being 23 years old. It does effectively kill me for a while though and my white cell count is really low so I have to avoid anywhere/anyone who may have any kind of infection.

The car is paid for and is worth maybe just over £1k to the right buyer I guess.

Mobile Chicane said:

Sorry to hear this. It sounds as though you've got the stty end end of a very stty stick.

As said, could the 'hospital transport' options be investigated? Also, could you shop around to get better deals on the bills you're paying?

The one thing you don't want to do in your condition is skimp on the food items you need to provide a nutritious and balanced diet.

See above re; hospital transport. My bills are my debts which I've managed to negotiate down to £90/month and really can't get them any lower. It's not a bad deal for the amount of money I owe from being stupid when I was younger. I obviously hadn't expected to become ill at this age..

The other £20 is for my internet - if I changed it to anyone else I'd have to get a phone line and that's another £11 a month I can't afford. It may be a luxury but I see it as essential.

It's difficult to buy decent food but I try my best to eat well! I know how important it is.

Caruso said:

Ditching the car and getting a scooter instead would save a lot, but not sure if your condition would preclude that?

My pride would preclude it aswell! I'd rather get a Daewoo Matiz or something than a Scooter.

[Famous Graham]

Acehood said:

Famous Graham said:

Yep, I was living on 65 quid a week. Well, less actually, as my housing benefit (which took care of the rent) didn't include Council tax (£50) or bills (£30).

So £180 a month = £45 a week.

I discovered Lidl's

No car to run, mind.

How? What if you needed to buy anything that cost more than a few quid?

Simple - I didn't. Sounds trite, I know, but it's true. I got a month's shop at Lidl's down to about 40 quid. Not exactly the most flamboyant menus for my meals, obviously, but it sufficed (although I did get more of an appreciation of vegetables ).

Other little things I did was stick to soap, rather than shower gel (lasts a hell of a lot longer), didn't shave unless I had an interview (I'm bald, so no need to worry about shampoo), that kind of thing.

It certainly wouldn't have been possible if I didn't live in the centre of town, and am able to walk everywhere, mind.

ETA - don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it wasn't difficult. But it was possible. And very boring.

Edited by Famous Graham on Monday 31st May 20:50

[Nickyboy]

If you want to try it you can write to the manufacturers of things you need everyday that are a bit pricey, toothpaste, deodrant etc. I wrote to the maunfacturers of the toothpaste i use as it did wonders ofr my sensitive teeth and they sent me 3 free tubes. Best part of 6 months worth and about £3.50 a tube. Did the same for the people who make the cat food i buy, they sent 2 free boxes.

Cost of a stamp it may be worth it.

[Wing Commander]

Add up what the car costs you, roughly. Be ruthless with it and then work out if a taxi ride to hospital (when friends and family can't help out) would be cheaper than the collective monthly bill of fuel, insurance, tax etc.

If I had a friend in your situation, I would throw help at them any way I could. Everyone I know would too. Don't feel bad in any way asking friends and family for lifts etc.

For shopping, can you combine your shop with your mum? Does she drive? If so, go with her. If not, share the £5 for tesco delivery.

Shower gel - a tip. Keep an old bottle that is now empty, share a new bottle into this one so half is in each. Top both up with water. Bingo - 2 for the price of 1.

Have a look on money saving expert. Not sure on which forums are best on there but I remember reading lots of these tips on there, as well as having lots of helpful people on there.

I wish you all the best - where in the country are you? Anything the PH collective can do to help??

[OnTheOverrun]

Acehood said:

The car is paid for and is worth maybe just over £1k to the right buyer I guess.

OK - first thing to do is sell your car - I'm afraid you can't afford any pride at the moment. Now either buy a £100 snotter or better still put an ad in freecycle explaining your plight and asking if anyone has a legal car you can have for nothing with the promise that when you are better the car will be sold or auctioned and the proceeds given to a cancer charity. Now if you are lucky you have at least £900 left. I would use this to start an internet business on ebay or the like buying and selling something you know about on the days you feel better to start generating some income.

Good luck!

[5unny]

Acehood said:

See above re; hospital transport. My bills are my debts which I've managed to negotiate down to £90/month and really can't get them any lower. It's not a bad deal for the amount of money I owe from being stupid when I was younger. I obviously hadn't expected to become ill at this age..

The other £20 is for my internet - if I changed it to anyone else I'd have to get a phone line and that's another £11 a month I can't afford. It may be a luxury but I see it as essential.

It's difficult to buy decent food but I try my best to eat well! I know how important it is.

Is there no way at all you can get you debt payments down to say 20-30/month?

Have you considered an IVA? http://www.iva.org.uk/

Yes it will screw with your credit rating but the extra 40/50 a month would be invaluable. And if these debts are all unsecured there is nothing creditors can do anyway. As long as you make a token payment each month (even a couple of quid), they will not take you to the county court.