Need Some Reassurance Please

System

tigger115 wrote:

water rates - this is paid up to date - although may look into getting a water meter. Do you know if you have to pay to have this installed?

There may be a charge for installing a water meter - this would depend on your property. You would have someone from the Water Company make an assessment of this prior to any work being done - they'd let you know if you'd have to pay anything.

As a separate note, as your water rates are fairly low anyhow, a water meter may not save you that much money. Obviously you're the best judge for how much water you use.

Dumbledore55

Hi Tigger

Another single mum here, I too found myself in your position and I'm slowly sorting my finances out now. E-baying is a good way of getting some money. I've made over £400 profit since I started selling in May. My son has also sold off loads of toys and games he no longer uses and is saving up to buy himself a PSP.

Your water rates do look low so a meter may not work out for you, your water company should have a way of calculating if its worth it for you to swap by telling them how many times a week you use your dishwasher, washing machine etc.

If you've been refused loans or credit cards etc its often best waiting a couple of months before trying again. It may be worth you looking at your credit record by applying for a free trial with Experian or Equifax - you may find their records are wrong and you can get them corrected.

Good luck and just ask if you need help, there's always someone on the site to assist.

trencherpilot

Why don't you see if your employer will do the nursery voucher scheme, that'll save you some money each month. Sorry, can't remember which email from Martin it was on, but we worked out it could save us about 1000 a year! if we both do it.

southernscouser

tigger115 wrote:

Incomings:

1250 - salary
264 - tax credits
100 - maintenance

1614 - total

Outgoings:

415 - mortgage (am on a fairly new deal with this)
54 - council tax
15 - water
27 - gas (just been increased from £17)
15 - elec
37 - car insurance (high because of area i live in)
336 - nursery fees
20 - ntl phone (+ broadband) & 1899 calls
100 - food

254 - barclays bank loan -£12,600 - 10.9% - 48 months left
105 - halifax loan - 12.9% - £5,000- 50 months left
94 - Egg c/card - 15.9% - £4747
100 - Cap 1 - 6.9% for the life - £4600
55 - Virgin - 3100 - 15.9% (recently reduced from 22.9%)

1627 - total outgoings

hope there are no mistakes here as i'm doing this at work. Although the APR's are high its the best I can get at the moment as I have been refused a few times for the 0% (think its because I have too much credit at the moment as i always make payments on time).

Look forward to hearing from someone who can may be help with the above. Thank you!

Hi tigger,

Just a couple of things I've notcied. Firstly have you been over to the oldstyle boards, they maybe able to cut down your monthly food bill. I honestly don't know how much it costs to feed an adult and little'un but even if they save you a fiver it will be worth it!

Secondy, you haven't included petrol. Do you use the car much? Is it possible to get a cheaper running one?!

Keep the sepndin diary going though. Just completed my first full months and found out last month I spent over £30 in the sodding drink and snack machines at work! That would pay the minimum payments and a bit more of 2 of my CC's!

The only other thing I would suggest is to keep an eye open for coupons and that sort of thing. Have a look around the boards for the correct thread! Forget now!

Also have a look at the link below. It tells you what deals are on what prodcuts and where which could save you a few quid. Just remember not to buy stuff you wouldn't normally just because it''s bogof!

http://www.fixtureferrets.co.uk/

tigger115

Hello everyone and thank you very much for all your replies.

My debts are still the same as last week but am feeling so much more positive this week due to all you helpful people. I will take everything on board and let you know. I was really down last week and couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Its amazing what a few changes can do and I feel more in control than ever before so thank you all once again. This site is brilliant!!! xx

tigger115

Hello again

Just have another question re the snowballing. I apologise if I sound silly but when you snowball for your full actual figures do you keep doing this every time you make a payment each month or do you just keep a written note?

Thanks

skintchick

If you put in what you owe now, and what you can afford to pay as per the calculator's prompts, then you can just print that out and hold onto it - no need to do a new one unless your circumstances change, ie you find some more money each month.

Give_In

Umm I am new to site and just reading some posts,
what does the term 'snowball' mean please? Forgive my ignorance, I am learning...

Hey good luck Tigger, this is hard to come on here and open up, but it helps you realise that you are not alone, or dont have to be. Everyone here seems so helpful to each other.
XX

southernscouser

Give_In wrote:

Umm I am new to site and just reading some posts,
what does the term 'snowball' mean please? Forgive my ignorance, I am learning...

Hey good luck Tigger, this is hard to come on here and open up, but it helps you realise that you are not alone, or dont have to be. Everyone here seems so helpful to each other.
XX

Snowballing is a debt calculator if you like where you tap in what you owe, the APR's and how much you can pay to your debts. It then tells you what to pay each debt and in what order so you pay the least interest.

https://www.whatsthecost.co.uk

Give_In

Cheers for the info Southern, I will check out the given site now.
XX