State Pension. Can't manage.

Very helpful thread. How inventive you people are. Yes we had lodgers for several years and it was very helpful financially.
Do try to keep your car. Perhaps you could give other people lifts into town for a fee to help cover the costs.
The room to let sounds great, with an on suite !

I really sympathise with you. I am having to manage supporting 2 of us on my pension alone - it is tough.
I contacted the council and got a healthy reduction on my council tax and I believe that you might also get a reduction as they base it on your income not just that you are single. The savings limit is £6000 - so make sure you can demonstrate you do not have more than this.
There are also organisations around that can help so give the CAB a ring as they usually have the contact numbers of those that can help.

Whereas glad that things seem to be sorting themselves out for this poster, do wonder that she says that she is unable to manage on £164.00 per week (state pension). Assuming her house is paid for - then surely that is more than enough for one person to live on, including running a car.
This is what I receive (with Pension Credit), I keep a careful list of all my monthly outgoings. I do run a small car and maintain my house. My biggest monthly outgoings are fuel and BB/telephone. Okay, it does not stretch to holidays, but this has never been very important to me, still have some days out. Put something aside from this monthly amount to cover costs of replacing major household items, and also ask my children for these as birthday/xmas pressies.
I eat well and have far less financial worries than I did many years ago when my children were all at home and small and due to hubbies MS we were living (no, I mean - existing) on benefits,.

What a sad, but at the same time, heartwarming thread. " Near " poverty like this happens in many cases but sadly, while busy looking after a sick person, the situation doesn't enter your head until that person is no longer there and reality hits home re. finances.

I can't add anything more other than what has already been said though one thing is now more of a necessity and that's the car. As the years go on along with aches and pains which develop a car is invaluable. I've never driven and know what it's like when you're faced with the need to go shopping, visiting or an appointment. Pretty off-putting in bad weather.

However I applaud your forward and positive attitude as it will help you in many ways, particularly with your health which is important. It's also good that you have a thoughtful and considerate daughter, which I may say I have one the same who wouldn't see me without anything. It makes all the difference.

Best of luck for this New Year and I hope that whatever you do it reaps rewards for you bringing a worry-free time.

I have had lodgers in the past and never had a bad experience, (no I tell a lie one young lady was a bit of a diva)
I contacted my local college and had a lot of professionals mostly men who were on short courses I had a lot of overseas lodgers too and without exception they were a delight and opened up my life, some were very private and just went to their rooms others wanted to join in a more family setting it’s really up to you as to how you want it to go but it’s not for everyone
Good luck in whatever you decide (I ve been down the cleaner route too) ?

I was advised that when I had £10 000 in savings left and lived in a one bedroomed property the state benefits help will kick in...

I would still check with CAB.

One more suggestion Cathy - if you have a child who owns a house with a garden, you can buy granny annexes which are designed and built to your requirements, for far less than the cost of your home, which would leave you some capital left over. This may not suit everyone, but it is an idea. Link attached.
www.grannyannexe.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1rWd6bGV3gIVTLDtCh3H6QVoEAAYAiAAEgKNc_D_BwE

A friend of mine was left with nothing, no house, no savings, not due to bereavement but other circumstances. She was lucky enough to get a one bedroomed Council bungalow, designed for older people. It is very small but she loves it. She is in a village but on a regular bus route.
I do know of others who did own property but were awarded these small bungalows and it could be worth considering at some later stage, although you do sound as if you have positive plans for the foreseeable future.

Well done and wishing you the best of luck Cathy

I admire your attitude Cathy. Well done, and I'm really glad you are keeping the car and have talked to your daughter.

It sounds like you are situated in quite a rural area like me. We do have an agricultural college, a music academy and a RSPB reserve quite near. Just wondered if you have anything similar, as they may know of or have visitors/tutors etc, who may want to rent a nice room.

Love your positive attitude! My friend is what she calls a ‘personal concierge’. She waits in people’s houses for deliveries, repairmen, etc, goes shopping for various items ( though Amazon & online deliveries have done for that one), and just generally does whatever people want her to ( within reason, I presume!)
Good luck !

Cathy04 - just been reading your post and I admire your tenacity so much. Good for you. It must be very difficult having to deal with all the changes you have had flung at you but by the sounds of things you are determined to make your life as happy as you can. I don't know if I could do what you have done to enable a move forward with everything but your example has shown me if you focus on what you have to do to maintain a fair standard of life so be it. I wish you all the success in your new job and changes in your lifestyle. I hope you find lots more energy to take you on your way forward. Well done!

The same good wishes and message goes to you Maw.

Well done Cathy it is good to hear you brighter and more positive.
I hope your anniversaries were times when you could look back on happy times with some fond memories and only a little sadness.
Onwards and upwards now.

Thank you Maw, so are you (((hug)))

You are doing brilliantly Cathy -good luck with it all!

Hello.

Just an update for those who have kindly replied.

The cleaning job hasn't started yet due to issues with the person's work patterns but it will be sorted out.

I have insured my car, It's not a frivolous use of the savings and DD said she thinks it would be a mistake not to.

Decided to sort out the room with the en-suite with a view to letting it. I have had new carpet and bed. Changed round furniture and bought new towels. Been doing some research and son is an avid airb&b user has been a help.

I came to a stop this week as it had been my husband's Birthday and our Wedding Anniversary this weekend so not been in a good place as they say.
Hope to get my energy back next week.

Cathy x

Good to hear things seem more positive now Cathy a trouble shared is a trouble halved as they say, your daughter is a real support.
As Nannarose said one job often leads to another so who knows what's next for you.
Good luck.

Cathy, even if you do not qualify for Pension Credit, you could still qualify for some help with your Council tax. If you rent (and I think you said you owned your house) you could also qualify for some help through Housing Benefit.

This is such a helpful post. Cathy04 has taken on board some suggestions and seems to be a much better frame of mind.
GN at its best.??

Yes, it is an amazing list! It was a nice day so a lot of people were out and about.
The dry cleaner just asked me if I would do some repairs for him. I turned it down for various reasons, but thought "there's another little earner for someone".
I wonder how OP is getting on?

Cathy since you were focussed on your husbands health, have you thought about your own health. Caring will have affected you. Do you have difficulty with any of your personal care? If so you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance (or PIP if you are under 65). In addition to the extra cash from AA/PIP, the rules for Pension Credit are more generous. Think about it.

nanarose that's an amazing list.

I taught the basics of knitting yesterday to a teenager so that she can earn the Skills Badge (or whatever it is called) for s project that she is involved in this winter. Her mother insisted on paying me, and has booked me again for a further afternoon.

A friend answered an advert locally to write blog posts that are basically summaries of articles for trade websites, and she got the job as "Freelance Copywriter".

Good luck, Cathy.

I am so glad that you have shared your problems with your DD. She deserves to be involved and to be given the opportunity to support you. Good luck with your job idea and with pursuing all the other options!

I like your attitude and drive Cathy and openness to ideas x