"I know, I'll dig my way out...!"

natalo1985

Hi everyone!

I'm a new poster here (although I have spent the entire bank holiday weekend reading up pn everyone elses posts, and I have read the articles before), and I've aquired the idea to keep a daily (or at least as often as possible) diary of my financial situation, to remind myself to keep myself, and my spendaholic OH in line.

My money problems started back a few years ago when my ex lost his job. We both had to go into our overdrafts to pay the everyday bills, as he wasnt entitled to JSA, and we had our mortgage to pay. When he did get a job, it was quite a distance away, so my parents lent us the money to get him a motorbike, so he could get to work. My parents arent the best people to borrow money from, as they have brought me up not to buy something unless you can afford it, so we then got out a £5000 loan, to pay off them, plus our overdrafts. In theory, to get us back on our feet.

Then, (a few months later, not straight away!) we broke up. We'd been together for nearly 5 years (since we were 16), and I went a little bit off the rails. I would go out twice a week, buy new outfits each time, and spend a lot of money. A lot of the time I would not only pay for myself, but for my then best friend (thats drinks AND outfits!). That soon ran up a credit card of £3000. Me and my ex (who were still living together, and still had the mortgage together, then got a £10000 loan. This paid off my credit card, his new bike (a proper one, his first was a 125cc little one), and the original loan. Then between autumn and new year, I ran up another £3000 on the credit card. I don't even know what on, as half of the time I was completely wasted.

In the new year, I decided I had to sort things out, so I transferred my CC balance to a different one at 0%. However, slowly, over about 8 months, the balance crept back up. By this time I had met my now fiance (Lee), and me and my ex had put our house on the market and both moved out. I discovered in May that my ex hadnt been paying the mortgage, and our house hadnt even been viewed by anyone, so my parents offered to buy it off us for £100k. This took until September to go through, which we then paid off the £80k left on the mortgage, plus £2000 (ish?) early repayment fees. The loan was paid off (nearly £15000 with interest) leaving me with just enough to pay a chunk off one of my credit cards.

I was then living with my grandad, and desperate to get back on my own. Me and Lee rented a flat, and over the six months we lived there, got the twice paid off credit card back up to £3000, just on odds and ends. We have now moved back into my house (which we now rent off my parents, in theory, until we can afford to buy it back), and are trying to get on top of things.

Lee has paid off one of his student loans, and only has the big one to go now. He has also helped me pay off both of my overdrafts. We want to try for a baby in the new year, so my aim is to get everything paid off by then. Realistically though, we're aiming to only have the one CC left.

Any tips or suggestions on saving that extra little bit? We're already VERY not fussy with our food and consumables...

Thanks!!!
Nat
x

natalo1985

by the way, sorry for the essay!!

beanielou

Hi & welcome to MSE.
When u get a mo why dont you pop up your SOA when u get a wee mo & we will see what we can do to help?

natalo1985

A bit awkward at the mo, as I've just had a pay rise, but I've had two weeks off sick. I also lose 1/20 of my bonus for each day I'm off sick.
Plus, although its easy enough to work out my OH's basic pay, he also gets "production bonus", which can be anything from 50p p/h to £5 p/h!
I'll have to base it on what I earnt before my pay rise, so I'll have to get the bank statements out....
x

BlueFleur

Even writing down all the outgoings helps- it makes it easier to see where you can cutback etc. I've just shifted from contract to permanent and I'm yet to have one of my permanent pay checks, so I'm just looking at the out stuff at the moment. I'm sure lots of people will have tips on what bits you can save on.

natalo1985

Here goes...

BT landline = £57 p/q (= £19 p/m, but that was before fry sky calls)
Sky tv and internet = £40 p/m (this includes the sports channels, as OH loves football more than he loves me! therefore, we save on pub prices, as over the winter he watched EVERY GAME at the pub!)
My mobile = £30 p/m
His mobile = £25 p/m
Gas and electric = £75 p/q i think (£25 p/m, however, we have just moved in, so this is pretty much a guess)
Food = About £20 p/w. Varies, depending on what we can afford (=£80 p/m)
Water = £41 p/m
Council Tax = £91 p/m
Bus passes = £35 p/m each (=£70 p/m)
Rent = £500 p/m

= £921

My new basic salary, before bonus, should be £16202 (yet to get first payslip). Bonus is usually about £200 p/m, but lost for time off sick.

OH's basic is about £13k. However he usually does as much overtime as possible, and his bonus is between 50p p/h and £5 p/h. Last week he earnt just over £250 for the week after tax.


By the way, TV licence = Full amount up front, due for renewal round about now...

natalo1985

oops, i forgot:
approx £5 p/m for hair dye
£4 p/m for pet food
and £10 p/m for my contact lenses

= £940

natalo1985

Here is todays update...

Off to a good start, its Lees birthday tomorrow, so I had to buy his present earlier today. However, I'm counteracting what I spent by having toast for tea.

Feeling quite good today overall though. Very positive that I am making a conscious effort to save money

However, lee is being a bit of a pain, leaving things on standby, leaving the hot water on etc etc. Any suggestions on dealing with this?????

x

lilmissmup

Train him well and fast especially with all these blimin companies putting up the costs!

I know you have done a SOA but you haven't listed the debt payments you make each month?

Oh and welcome to MSE

magneto

tell him to stop it?