I earn more than 12k but i'm finding it hard to understand how i'll be able to afford living in my own home with a £500 mortgage. I kind of reckon on needing about £1.5k a month minimum excluding a social life, eating out, xmas etc. Mortgage £500.00 Council Tax £100.00 Water £20.00 Electricity £40.00 Gas £30.00 Phone/Internet £35.00 TV Licence £12.00 Home Insurance £30.00 Car £315.00 Car Running Cost £60.00 Car Insurance £50.00 Petrol £100.00 Vision Express £14.95 Mobile £30.00 Grocaries £150.00 Love Film £3.99 £1,491.21