Can you live off £300 a month including bills?

Hailey1998

So my rent has just gone up so I’m going to be left with about £300 a month which has to cover everything else. I think my council tax is about £100 a month, the WiFi is £35 a month and my phone is in contract for £30 a month. I don’t know the exact amount of the other bills but I have water, gas, electricity and insurance.
How can I reduce any of these bills and can I live off that £300 a month? Thank you!

Reply 1

Callicious

22

You can probably claim low income council tax reduction if you're left on that much per month, just contact your local council. That'll sort out the £100 problem.

For WiFi/Internet, a possible option is to just not bother with the WiFi and get an unlimited data phone plan. I do that, it provides my internet, costs £27 a month, and surprisingly isn't that bad. Depends on where you live though, since coverage may vary.

If you sort out the council tax, it'll be doable.

Reply 2

Hailey1998

OP

2

That’s a good idea about the WiFi. I’m in contract for another 7 months but after that I will probably cancel it. I’m pretty sure I can’t get any tax reduction because I spoke to someone not that long ago and they said that if I don’t have kids they don’t offer any reductions.

Original post by Callicious

You can probably claim low income council tax reduction if you're left on that much per month, just contact your local council. That'll sort out the £100 problem.

For WiFi/Internet, a possible option is to just not bother with the WiFi and get an unlimited data phone plan. I do that, it provides my internet, costs £27 a month, and surprisingly isn't that bad. Depends on where you live though, since coverage may vary.

If you sort out the council tax, it'll be doable.

Reply 3

username4454836

20

How much has your rent gone up by?!

Reply 4

Hailey1998

OP

2

£250 from £750 to £1000

Original post by Decahedron

How much has your rent gone up by?!

Reply 5

Hailey1998

OP

2

The £300 has to include food.

Reply 6

AzureCeleste

20

So basically you have about 135 to cover the electricity, water etc. and food???

Reply 7

Hailey1998

OP

2

Yes. I looked up the water bill and it is £55 a month.

Original post by AzureCeleste

So basically you have about 135 to cover the electricity, water etc. and food???

Reply 8

username4454836

20

Original post by Hailey1998

£250 from £750 to £1000

Damn!

How long have you got on your lease?

Reply 9

Coffee Queen

3

Hi,There is a website called entitledto which you can input your details/circumstances into and it will advise if you are entitled to apply for any support.Your rent increase (without knowing your circumstances) seems astonishing have you been served correct notices for increase etc? Can you look at finding cheaper accommodation? For information regarding this look at the house buying and renting subsection of money saving expert (or shelter, if you don’t want to use a forum) Are there any opportunities to increase your income? Second job etc.^just a few random thoughts

Reply 10

Hailey1998

OP

2

8 months but I’m not sure if there is anything much cheaper tbh

Original post by Decahedron

Damn!

How long have you got on your lease?

Reply 11

Hailey1998

OP

2

I’ve got eight months left on my lease but where I live it is still quite cheap.
I will look into that website but I did ring the council not that long ago but they said they can’t help because I don’t have kids.
I do work about 50 hours a week in total but I’m on nearly minimum wage.

Original post by Coffee Queen

Hi,There is a website called entitledto which you can input your details/circumstances into and it will advise if you are entitled to apply for any support.Your rent increase (without knowing your circumstances) seems astonishing have you been served correct notices for increase etc? Can you look at finding cheaper accommodation? For information regarding this look at the house buying and renting subsection of money saving expert (or shelter, if you don’t want to use a forum) Are there any opportunities to increase your income? Second job etc.^just a few random thoughts

Reply 12

AzureCeleste

20

Original post by Hailey1998

Yes. I looked up the water bill and it is £55 a month.

Damn
You will struggle a bit, although saying that students can live on 10 pound a week so if you budget properly you will only need 40 a month for food
Maybe look for a better paying job?

Reply 13

Coffee Queen

3

I am assuming that you are in England but I really would check that you have been served the correct notices for increasing rent, some landlords don’t follow procedures correctly etc. There are landlords and advocates who know all the ins and outs on the forum I mentioned.

Reply 14

kate45678

1

where do you live? theres places to eat for free in most cities, or make a small donation, I know one in London if thats where you are

Reply 15

Scienceisgood

21

I think it might be worth investing in a different phone contract?

My phone bill is £9 a month (with Virgin) and I get the following;

5Gb a month
1,500 mins (typically talk through Whatsapp though)
Unlimited texts

So, while I'll admit the minutes are rather low, I would consider downloading Whatsapp and talking through the WiFi. =l
Should save you a couple hundred quid a year.

Reply 16

Hailey1998

OP

2

I’m still in contract

Original post by Scienceisgood

I think it might be worth investing in a different phone contract?

My phone bill is £9 a month (with Virgin) and I get the following;

5Gb a month
1,500 mins (typically talk through Whatsapp though)
Unlimited texts

So, while I'll admit the minutes are rather low, I would consider downloading Whatsapp and talking through the WiFi. =l
Should save you a couple hundred quid a year.