We have no money after paying our mortgage and utility bills

[Guest]

Hi. I am looking for some advise please.

I am married, with mortgage. I am currently on maternity leave ( baby 3 months old ). Now my statutory maternity pay has kicked in, our outgoings are more than what our income is.

We was going to be financially OK, but since the inflation on everything, it's made things a real struggle. The inflation on our bills and mortgage combined totals to  £600, this kicked in just a few weeks prior to my maternity leave, which has now really made us struggle. We have cancelled all unessesery bills such as Sky, Netflix, changed broadband and got cheaper phone contracts ect, we have done everything to save as much money as possible but there isn't anything else we can cut back on or cancel that we haven't done already.

Is there anywhere I can get some support or anywhere I could go to find out if I'm entitled to anything? I really don't know what I'm suppose to do as we have no money after paying our mortgage and utility bills.

Any advice welcome. Thank you for reading..

[Jo Gentry]

I don't know if it will help but I'm on maternity and vinted has literally saved our butts. I went through the house and any unwanted or outgrown baby stuff and flogged the lot. Made enough to help pay for last Christmas and still selling. It's been a massive help. Take a look xx

[Victoria]

If you contact your mortgage provider they may be able to give you a mortgage break for a few months, if you're in credit on your mortgage even better as you'll have something to draw down against.

It's why I used to overpay by £30 a month so that if anything happens I'd got something so first line of calls is to them to see what can be done.

It may make your mortgage a tiny bit more expensive but not by much.

Olio or ask at local churches for food, baby items, etc. Theres a lot of resources out there.

[Christine]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all this stress. I had the same in the 90’s and I hate whenever I see people of my age saying “the mortgage rate was higher, we had to manage, we didn’t have luxuries etc etc” the world is different now. And you should hope it be easier for the next generation not waste time point scoring I had to go back to work when my middle child was 9 days old - 9 days after a C-section. HAD to and it was hell, I was beyond tired and stressed. Yes the kids are all well rounded adults with their own kids, homes, jobs so it didn’t affect them but it was a horrible time and makes me both sad and angry that people are still faced with having to do whatever it takes to keep a roof over their heads. No I did it so it can be done here - just sympathy. I hope you find your way through, take care x

[Heather]

Im so sorry life is so hard for you. Great suggestions on here from others. Defo cgeck out Olio, amazing for food and non food items. See if theres a community fridge near you. Check out Jack Munro cooking on a bootstrap for jawdroppingly brilliant meal ideas. Developing someone elses idea further please also look at using up all cleaning and toiletry products before buying more. Body lotion is gorgeous used as a shower gel substitute. I use washing up liquid and white vinegar for most of my household cleaning. Consider utility use too ... think electricity, water, gas. For example I have a jug in my shower to catch run off water to flush my loo. Another in my kitchen sink to catch run off I use to soak washing up/fill the kettle/fill the dog bowl. Cooking water i use for gravy, stock, soup, the dog, or to water plants. Good luck xx

[Kim]

It’s really not what you want to hear but you might need to go to work earlier than planned.

[Jenney]

Unfortunately, you may have to return back to work sooner than planned.
I had to for exactly the same reason. My pay only covered the mortgage and I was on my own so at 3 months old my son went to a childminder and I returned to work

[Anne]

Mortgage holiday might help? Possibly would extend the term of your mortgage but could help your situation right now. Speak to your lender, if you don't ask you'll never know!

[Chrissie]

I too work and in the same predicament only just managing to pay day every month , what sad times we are living in when hard working people are struggling let's hope this government gets its head out of it arse and starts helping people.

[Janet]

I’m in the US so don’t have any knowledge of what you can do or apply for in UK but could you do something from home or babysit for another baby to bring in a little extra. Maybe someone else you know is in your same position and you could watch her baby for less than she’d pay for daycare?