Chaos sees the light!

moo2moo

Looks like you've made a good start so far. Well done on reducing your mobile bill.

This might help you with your £10 a day challenge
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1109295&page=8

Free bingo is also profitable short term although if you play too much you may lose the will to live. Make sure you red all the Ts & Cs though as some sites make it almost impossible to withdraw your winnings. There are lots of £10 free cash offers with no outlay so if you loose you just move on. The Mirro, The Sun and ICWales (and approx another 40 companies) were running this offer.

chaossaver

Thanks again Moo2moo. I've just looked at the reviewing link. It says it expires 4/9/08 but 'll see if can get them done in time!! Got my mums birthday in 3 weeks so be useful to use the voucher towards that if can - try to cancel out the cost! Gosh that sounds so mean, but I'm sure everyone understands.
Am also going to try out bingo. Used to go play with my gran and enjoyed it so shouldn't be too much of a chore. Will give those schemes a go you mentioned if I can find them.
Well after my last ace NSD's (I am very proud of myself) I am going out to a show today but only taking £10 with me which is only for entry and a payment owe the organisers, and taking my lunch with me. The oh and I are going out for dinner later for our anniversary but we're going to a cheap pub we like so dinner should cost £20 max inc drinks. All in all think thats ok. I think I'll put £25 in my wallet for today (plastic is already out) and that'll do for today. Aything else is tough. It was my birthday the other day and got money for that so going to use some of that for today as it is a treat, so it won't affect my £35pw budget. Good luck to everyone with whatever they're up to today! x

chaossaver

Well, I did well at the show - took £10 and spent £4.99 on entry and monies owed and still had a fantastic time. Tonight we did really well too, oh and I both had a carvery roast dinner, a pud each, and 2 drinks each and it came to £22 - can't complain at that. Was a couple of quid more than I thought but spent £5 less at the show so can roll that over, and I'm still £3 up on what thought I'd be tonight Plus it was birthday money that I didn't want to use on debts, wanted to save as a treat.
On the debt side, I made a huge step forward, in my eyes, although it doesn't save me any interest, I paid the last £240 I owed my dad and it felt great to have that gone. I know some people will think it silly to pay that off over others as there was no interest involved, but owing family is the worst feeling ever, and things are a bit tight for him and my mum at the minute, they're in a similar situation to me. I needed to feel I'd done this and helped them out when they needed it, and did the right thing - I paid it onto my dads credit card for him which is his first debt to pay off so I have saved interest and cut DFW time, only it's his not mine.
Well - one debt done and gone. Only £21,806.91 to go!! A new month tomorrow, and a heap of challenges to do. Be interesting to see how much I can pay off this month and how many months I can cut the projected DFW time by. Taken up the NSD challenge, going for 10 and think I should be able to manage this ok, especially after the last couple of days. Also going for the make £10 a day, 20p savers and money I've found; alongside looking for vouchers and freebies and trying to bring my soa down a bit. Here's hoping... 3... 2... 1... go!!! Good luck everyone!! x

OberonSH

chaossaver wrote: »

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1354.35
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1354.35

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured loan repayments................. 0
Rent.................................... 350
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 40 Are you on the cheapest tariff? I just checked mine, and I didn;t realise I was payinh nearly £7 a month for the pleasure of using Utility Warehouse! Don't forget to go through a cashback site
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 25
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 30
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 150 This is a bit high for 2, and horrendous for 1 I pay 160 for 2 adults, 1 child and a baby, including nappies. Head on over to Moneysaving Oldstyle of rtips to get it down. Meal plan, take a list or shop online, and if it ain't smart-price, think twice - well, you get the idea.
Clothing................................ 10
Petrol/diesel........................... 20 You said about the car dilemma. I think if you can get away with 1, it would be great.
Road tax................................ 13
Car Insurance........................... 45
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 12 If you're paying for the bike, is it worth keeping an eye on the small ads or freecycle, rather than keep paying for one on hire?
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 10
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 10
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 10 Join Pigsback or another 'points' program. I do a few, and have already paid for Xmas. That frees £10 a month for debts.
Haircuts................................ 3
Entertainment........................... 40
Holiday................................. 10
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 798

Assets
Cash.................................... 400
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 300
Other assets............................ 1000
Total Assets............................ 1700

No Secured Debt

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Loan...........................9847.43...229.......8.9
Credit Card....................702.91....17.5......19.9
Credit Card....................951.3.....38.05.....22.44
Loan...........................8285.3....63........4.8
Credit Card....................2019.77...60........14.9
Total unsecured debts..........21806.71..407.55....-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,354.35
Expenses (including secured debts)....... 798
Available for debt repayments........... 556.35
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 407.55
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ 148.8

Okay, here's my pennyswotrth (the other penny went in my debt pig). I've made a few comments in red, you've probably already covered them, but just in case

By cutting down a bit on the stuff highlighted, you could have an additional £200 a month.

Join a few survey sites, the pennies soon start adding up. Head on over to referrals board, you'll easily see who pays up, and plus you'll help a fellow DFW by using their link.

Go through the house and ebay anything unwanted. Having just done a house move, this might be a bit easier - as you unpack, put stuff that doesn't fit, you don't need or want aside, and get rid.

And most importnatly, stick with us! Try the challenges, join in, and keep your mind n the job, but no to the exclusion of everything else. There's still a life to be lived!

savingholmes

Just saying hello again. :EasterBun

Also consider the "what small dfw things have you done today" thread - everyone is really friendly and it make you want to be good so you have something to talk about.

Also work out who you are intending to buy presents for between now and say January and then work out a strategy to a) reduce that number to something more manageable (eg generally only buy presents for kids not adults) and b) where you definitely want to give a present look at the crafty for Christmas thread or Finished baskets thread or gifts in a jar thread on the Special Occasions board for free / low cost presents. I have 9 out of 25 presents sorted already and have worked out a number of projects I intend to do that will be low cost. When I've mentioned the idea of some of the gifts in a jar ideas to other people they have all been impressed by the thought and effort involved.... Find what will work for you and give it a go!:think:

chaossaver

Thank you for your input oberonsh. I will look into your suggestions. I think the groceries should be the easiest to cut down a bit to be honest. The oh and are going to look into our elec tariff tomorrow and I've not looked at pigsback. I will now though! An extra £200 a month to pay off debts and save on interest is just too good to pass up. I have been looking through stuff for ebay already and got a box together. That'll be going on this week as soon as I get chance. I have signed up to a couple of challenges, will just have to see how I go, but I'm already really enjoying being a part of this site. You never know, you guys just might be the saving of me
Thanks for the followup savingholmes. I'm going to take a look at the board you mentioned - I like talking and if it adds to the motivation then all the better!! The present suggestion is a great one. Have started on my list and I'll try to cut it down. Then I'll see what I can come up with. Hopefully I'll manage to do it without much impact on the old finances!! x

chaossaver

Well today was first day back at work after the hols and I did well. I was on a course and free lunch (yey!) and made sure had a good feed. I had to drive to my course (only prob with getting rid of the car as I go on a lot) but could try to car share more or sort out getting a train if possible... we'll say. After work I went to the jewellers as the pendant my oh got me for xmas has already lost 4 stones so I went to complain and they're exchanging it for a new one (yey!) but I forgot it's original chain, I have it on a stronger one for everyday, so will have to go back next week. Whilst was there I bought a new ring with some of my birthday money from my parents (I was strictly told to buy myself something nice and not use it towards debts, and I've always been a good girl and done what my dad said It was nice to treat myself, and I didn't use all of the money - got £20 left to put onto my GE card - from an aunt so I'm not going against dad with that bit Also bought a top from Debenhams in the sale and had a gift card left from xmas which covered it 'd forgotten had it. I discovered it this morning. Not sure if it counts for the £10 a day challenge, but I didn't know it was there. Also cashed in a scratchcard I got for my birthday and won £2 on. Put that towards the needed shopping (milk, bread, fruit, things for lunches etc) and it came to £14.58 using vouchers and buying own brands etc. Was very pleased as it should do til the weekend. Fingers crossed!! Hope everyone is well, x

roxy7699

Hiya,
Aside from the getting to your courses dilema, while debating if you can do without the car, you should see about cancelling the insurance as you will be less likely to actually drive it, saving £60 odd a month.
However that is coming from someone who wont get rid of hers with all the london transport surrounding her!
Defo throw the savings into that card (as long as you dont need a cusion) and when the minimum goes down keep paying £38 to them as it will go down quicker. There isnt a rule saying dont have loads of credit cards being someone who used to have loads, but when you've done a transfer I would ask them to close it to avoid re spending on it and it getting worse.
What if as soon as you get paid you pay the surplus into the card too? Then you dont have the chance to waste it as it wont be there.
Good for you on buying nice stuff for you, see if you can do some mystry shopping and surveys too while your there as some of them pay in vouchers and others money. Eventually.

savingholmes

Hello again.... Glad you had a nice day. I had a good day too money and friends wise - got £30 for some craft stuff I didn't need any more anyway / was bored of.... Gave £20 of it to someone to hang some internal doors (they've been sat in th garage since July and they should help keep the heat in), and spent about £7 on pudding and coffee and another drink with a friend. :beer: That bit is in my soa tho (so yes we all need treats sometimes.....).

If you change your elec supplier thro quidco or one of the other sites you'll get lots of lovely money for doing it so please don't do it without that....:cool:

chaossaver

Hi Roxy, thank you for your input. I will look into mystery shopping, looks good and see from other threads that a lot of people do it. Always worth a try. It's not a bad idea about cancelling the car insurance, may do that, will look into it this afternoon. Also with regard to throwing the savings at the card, already am. They're in a NS&I account so will take a few days to come through but when I do it should be about another £160 off the GE card I hope Would have been a bit more but we need more oil in our tank and the price has temporarily come down so we're going for it and filling up before the price bounces again. It's the cheapest we've seen it for a long time - 55p from a local supplier. Hopefully it won't take all the rest so we can throw a little more at that card but will know more by the end of the week. My aim is to have that card paid off by xmas. It's a long shot but think I can do it. Made over my minimum payment onto it today. Snowball suggested £79.72 so I rounded up to £80, and boy did it feel good yey