very first soa (eeek)

Floxxie

alfiemama,

I don't know why you want to go down a 'plan' route?

How long have you got left on the things you are contracted to?
Get cheaper quotes on the things that you can e.g. life insurance, telephone
Find out when your gas and electric arrears will be paid off - what difference will that make to the figures?
Reduce child related expenses, emergency funds

What extra do you now have? What extra has your OH bought in for the month? What extra can you make from 'work from home' ideas?
What difference would it make if you sold the caravan now - you would only have x number of months paying £104 rather than almost 3 years for something that is depreciating anyway.

You need to get your OH on board with this as well. It is perfectly possible to get rid of this debt. There are many people on these boards who have demonstrated this. I don't see you being in a sinking ship - one that is a little wobbly perhaps, but with a little creativity you can improve your situation.

Floxxie

Floxxie

Forgot to say that if you detail what items you are not in contract for, lots of lovely people will tell you how to get the best deal and cashback as well :T

Floxxie

alfiemama

My only prob is hubby works lots of hours and so we rarely see each other so for me to then go off to work at weekend, when we hardly see each other.

Also now you are all going to call me old fashioned here, but he has a stressful job and is the main breadwinner and I feel I have to be on top form with everything (juggling lots of balls) (whilst he just juggles one, lol) so that he doesnt have to do anything and concentrate on bringing in the money.

Like I said before dont get me wrong I have done my fair share of work and if something could fit nicely around my family I will do it as I am even though a mother very entreprenarial.

If I could put little one into nursery for a few days (the other one will be at school) and go off to work, but just dont think I would be able to earn enough to pay the high nursery fees and make an impact on the bills.

Floxxie

Forget about going out to work - it's not an option. I know as I am in the same boat and my OH works long hours and in a stressful job as well. However there is no reason for you not to 'work from home' even with two children in tow.

If you need some suggestions, then just ask. Several of the posters are old hands at making money!

Floxxie

alfiemama

Hi Floxie
I suppose I just wanted to alleviate the stress for a while whilst we got back on our feet, sometimes you just sit and go oh my god sometimes

alfiemama

Floxie, here goes Im asking.
I have done Ebay and like Merlot said not the same as used to be.
I worked for a charity fundraising from home which I enjoyed as giving something back but the hours just werent suitable.
I have done the research sites but find they pay peanuts, oh and I also worked as a travel agent from home but again too many hours should have been 20 more like 40!!!!!
Making things? I find that people just havent got the pennies anymore, sales calls no good as I have the kids with me so not professional enough.
So you can see I have really have had a go at everything.

Floxxie

We have all been there at some point! The difference is is that once you have signed up to this forum people will do everything they can to help you not fall into the black hole. There are a lot of really inspirational stories of people who have been in debt, come out of it, gone back in it again (!).

I'm aiming to pay off £20k of debt this year - I have paid off just under £15k and as I mentioned in my first post, the only differences between us is that I get an extra child benefit and don't run a car (although we do have to pay for diesel).

My children think I am a workaholic but that's not so bad is it when I can be at home with them? :rotfl:

Take a few days to look around this site. Ask plenty of questions. People really will help.
Floxxie

alfiemama

dare I ask what do you do Floxie, or are you not allowed to say

Floxxie

alfiemama wrote: »

Floxie, here goes Im asking.
I have done Ebay and like Merlot said not the same as used to be.
I worked for a charity fundraising from home which I enjoyed as giving something back but the hours just werent suitable.
I have done the research sites but find they pay peanuts, oh and I also worked as a travel agent from home but again too many hours should have been 20 more like 40!!!!!
Making things? I find that people just havent got the pennies anymore, sales calls no good as I have the kids with me so not professional enough.
So you can see I have really have had a go at everything.

Yep you sure have done everything! Would you like to have a go at things that don't require set hours or for you to do them everyday? (God I'm starting to sound as if I am about to sell you some get rich quick scheme!)

This is what I have done in the past month (I'm sure others will be along to add what they have been doing)
eBay - yes I hate it and it is not as good as it used to be BUT it gets rid of my clutter, and with free space I can think clearer (honestly).
Amazon - books especially hardbacks. I collected lots in my past and have been given lots now so I have a constant supply. Some months are very busy.
GreenMetropolis.com - sell your books for £3 (inc. postage) - slow but steady.
Cashback sites - there are several and you can earn money by doing daily clicks (very boring but cash), signing up to newsletters, or purchasing things you were going to anyway (e.g. life insurance)
Surveys - you have already mentioned but I use ones that give me vouchers to use for eating out etc.
Bingo - play bingo for free and hopefully win some money (some of these you can get cashback for as well although it will cost you £10 but then £25 C/B for example)
Match Betting - actually I'm lying here as I am meant to have started this and I still haven't - it is a risk-free way of making money from betting (whole board devoted to it)
Mystery Shopping - yet another board devoted to this. I do quite a bit and there are more telephone ones now.
Freebies and competitions - there are two boards for this - sign up for freebies and either use in home to reduce expenditure or sell on. Comps - hope that you win to sell or use.
Other - inc. signing up to Pl*yb*y Casino and getting free money for playing a penny (honest), signing up to a Natwest savings ac (should be £50 at the end of the year), depositing £1 in ING (£25 from a referral code)

I'm sure there is plenty of other things that I have been doing..this is as well as meal planning, changing providers, reducing expenditure, using Tesco codes for shopping, cashback sites for purchasing, asking questions on this forum.

Anyway I have gone on and on; I think you'll get the gist of it!

Floxxie

Floxxie

alfiemama wrote: »

dare I ask what do you do Floxie, or are you not allowed to say

On top of this, I also do database building for my friend - very ad hoc but can be done in the middle of the night and I undertake family research for people.

But I am a mere beginner compared to some people on here :rotfl:

Floxxie