FED UP
I’m a 31-year-old mum on Universal Credit top-up but can barely afford to live, I’ll be in debt forever & I’m sick of it
Scroll down to read some helpful hints about Universal Credit
A FRUSTRATED mum has begged the internet for transparency as she struggles with the cost of living and says she can't be the only one.
Lauren Bische, 31, took to TikTok for her brutally honest confession, posting a video to her account .
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In her emotional clip, Lauren sits cross-legged in front of her camera and vents her frustration about her current financial situation.
She captioned her post: "I know I’m not the only one like this… but any tips or advice would be appreciated!"
Lauren explained that she'd moved out of her mum's house aged 18 and later become a parent herself aged 21.
She's been renting privately since 2020 and depends on a Universal Credit top-up to help make ends meet.
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Despite receiving the government-backed financial support, the desperate mum confessed she's still struggling to put any money towards savings, and she's sure others are facing the same problem.
Lauren fretted she'll never be in a position to afford her own home and because of this says she will never feel "secure" in a house that she doesn't own.
She said that the house she is currently renting is "broken beyond measure" and as a "very creative person" she would love to renovate a house herself from scratch.
"At this point I don't even think it's ever going to be possible for me to get out of debt, like, I think I'm going to live in debt forever because the cost of living is outrageous," she said.
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With an impressive 25,000 followers on TikTok, Lauren is trying to turn her social media presence into a side hustle.
But she admits she hasn't been declaring her earnings as she says: "the second you do the government will tax you on it."
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And she feels more and more people are turning to content creation as a career just to get by - a lucrative industry where a single online workshop could earn you £2,000.
But until she gets her big break online, Lauren says this isn't the way she saw her life turning out at 31.
She said she's unable to afford a holiday, pay her credit card off or escape from her overdraft - let alone get her foot on the property ladder.
And she hoped other TikTok users would be honest about their money woes and offer real advice on how to improve their finances.
"I know that I'm not the only person, but I just also just don't feel like people are really talking about it or being really open about it.
"And if you are able to save, how are you doing that? Because I need to know, like I [don't] want to live like this anymore, I'm actually sick of it."
TikTok users react
Supportive viewers responded in the comments.
One person wrote: "I'm 30 and still at home with my mum and sister… me and my partner want to move out but even the price in rentals has increased dramatically! It’s absolutely crazy!"
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A second user commented: "I’m 34 this month, one child, one husband, both of us have full time jobs and we’re up to our eyeballs in debt. We’re in debt because of basic needs. We don't have takeaways, holidays, luxuries."
While somebody else commented: "This is so true and refreshing to hear tbh. I feel exactly the same, there’s no way I could save anything without turning my life into a completely miserable existence! Wish more people spoke about it."
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover costs, here are your options:
- Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payout.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements - If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
- Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the Government for emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
- Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax by applying for a Council Tax Reduction. Alternatively, you might be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments to help cover your rent.
- Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
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