Confused Newbie...help

mummybrook

Hi, I have been browsing the site for a while but have finally decided that I need more action.

I am trying to find my way around the site but not sure where to begin!!!

I am a bit bamboozled by all the different threads and unsure where I should start.

We have been trundling along for a while financially, however we suddenly find ourselves in the situation were we are broke and am unsure what to do.

The overdraft is at the max and we are three weeks from payday. Neither of us are very good with money and we have two little girls to support. We are rowing constantly.

As I'm the one who does the shopping and household budget etc I'm looking around the site for ways to save money but am finding myself jumping from thread to thread and getting nowhere fast!!!
Basically I need help with the following:

1 Is there some sort of beginners guide/checklist as to what areas to look at or work on first. If so where can I find it?

2 What threads are the most useful for making the most out of my household budget and making food stretch that much further.

3 I've seen threads with references to challenges. I think having something to work towards would be very good. Which challenges are the best and how do I find them?

Think thats it for now.

Sorry to ramble on but I'm spending hours surfing for ideas and I'm getting nowhere fast.

Would be really really grateful for some help!!!!



3

halight

Hi
First welcome and well done for posting your first post.
The best thred for making your money and food last a bit longer is the money saving old style. have a look at there threds.
Also put a post up there asking for some help with food clothers bill anything that you you need to save money on.

Try this thred out now wht you wait around for others to five replays to this one.
There are a lot more people on later that will be able to offer help on how to save on your buget. Thay may ask you to post a SOA as to show them how you spend your money now and were you can make some savings.

I will pop on by later and see if i can offer any more help.
All the best and good luck

tyllwyd

The first place to start is to make a budget. Do it with your current figures, then that will help you focus on where your money is going and what you might need to change.

A good place to start is here http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
Then if you are feeling brave, you could post it on this board and see what people suggest.

But don't feel too overwhelmed, it's a lot to try to take in all at once if you just stick around for a few days and read the threads as they happen, you will soon start to get the hang of what is going on.

The challenges are in different threads - again, if I were you I'd have a look at them when they turn up at the top of the forum, and if you fancy the look of one just join in!

Jesthar

Hi, mummybrook, and welcome!

as halight said, the most useful thing you can do here is to fill out and post up a Statement of Affairs - a kind of summary of your financial position. The link to the calculator is here:

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

If you fill it out as fully as you can, then use the 'MSE' button in the 'Format Results for Discussion Board' section near the bottom, you'll be able to paste it right into a post in this thread. Then the lovely people around here can start to give you advice on areas you can make yourself some savings.

~Jes

halight

Hi im just bumping this up so other kind people can offer some help.

Thanks

paybacktime2008

The following has been really helpful to me.

1. Write an SOA. Mainly as it will focus your mind and make you see where money is going.
2. Write down everything you owe. (Ditto)
3. Start a spending diary www.spendingdiary.com
4. Visit the Old style forum for loads of recipies and tips.
5. I joined the payment a day challenge and find it good for focussing me. You may find other challenges better suited to you.

Good Luck

andromache_2

Well done for finding this board and posting! You've made a great start already

Just thought I would point out that Martin has put together a kind of checklist in the main area of the site, called the 'Money Makeover': http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/money-help. It looks like a good place to start with reference to your first question.

Keep posting!