Its a fact of life Piers ..no its not helpful ..Its damn hard and practically impossible .BUT THE MONEY YOU GET IS for basic needs .It can be done .You have to put aside what is NEEDED to pay for heating and cooking .WaterRates .Cut down on heat by putting more clothes on and even washing clothes less often until you have enought for a full load .Shop for food in cheaper shops ,and sometimes that means walking a further distance to maybe save 5opence .Live within a budget ,fresh veg is cheaper than frozen .No alcohol,no cigs no car No takeaways .It s not for luxuries its for basic needs .Thats a fact of life .No it isnt right but what is .Theres nothing you can do ,perhaps work from home doing something ? .Millions of pensioners live in poverty ..LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR OLD AGE ..Life is tough . Make sure you are not entitled to other benefits .It could bump it up a bit . Its no good taking it out on this site .just because you dont get the answers you want .Sometimes you just have to make the best of it and get on with it . Sue