hanging my head in shame

GeorgeUK

Hi Jim

The only reason you should be hanging your head is if you need to look at the keyboard while typing, like me. You are trying to do something about your debt and being proactive - nothing to be ashamed of anymore.

The one thing i did notice was the mortgage and secured debt payments. People that spend about 50% of their income on this seem to struggle, but you are trying to cope with your main salary being almost the same as your mortgage, secured debt and management charge costs.

If you are able to cut down the grocery bill this will make a huge difference. We're not saying you should starve yourself, but you will need to cook meals from scratch to get good value for money. Is it just you that the £240 is for?
As others have said, the old style board will be a great help for meal plans and recipies - you'll be able to go to the shops knowing exactly what you need to but and so not be tempted to get possibly more expensive convenience foods.

Do you need the car? Is there alternative transport that you may be able to take?

I'm afraid i can't see anything else that you can really cut back on to make a difference. I think you will need to be able to show that you have some disposable income for the charities to be able to assist you, but it is definately worth giving them a call.

Wookey

One thing to try with your employers is ask if they will allow you to work on your holidays, thereby you get your holiday pay and also get paid for being in, not many would allow it but it does no harm to ask. It may well be only a few extra pounds but it all counts.

worried_jim

my second job is delivering food from a restaurant so the car is 100% needed. i have 1 day off a week and after working two jobs any holiday is needed , although not really a holiday as I would still be working the second job. I think its time to strt shopping at aldi. preparing food from scratch is a bit hard, I get in after my second job after 10 pm, havent really got the time or energy to start cooking. usually some chicken with vegtables is all i have time to make. I thought feeding myself 3 meals a day for £7.75 was pretty good. I am beginning to see that my situation is pretty dire with no real way of keeping a home. maybe some loose change and a scratchcard? It could be me !

worried_jim

I have just had a look on the payplan website, never heard of these guys before but I filled in their page and hope to be contacted at some point tomorrow. Had a read thru all the different sections and actions that could be taken against me- very informative.

Longing_to_be_debt_free

Hi Worriedjim,

just thought I would post you a reply to let you know that only six months ago I was in a similar position to yourself, I too contacted payplan and agreed to go a DMP with them and I can honestly say I have never looked back.

For the first time since I have been in debt I can now see that my balances are reducing each month and I know that whilst it may take a few years I will eventually become debt free.

You have now taken the first step, things can only get better from here on in, its about taking control of your life again... So chin up and be proud to say that you are dealing with your debts..

Good luck on your journey...and keep posting for advice.

We are all here to support each other..:T

kate705

Hi Jim,

I understand how you don't want to hear the bank say no to your request regarding an interest only mortgage. You say in your first post that you are 100% up to date with the mortgage and have never been late.
It just seems to me that it may be worth asking?

I know interest only mortgages are not ideal but you can explain to them that it is a temporary measure and you do have some equity. I just think you need to explore all options before considering going bankrupt or the repossession of your house.

What about asking for 50% repayment and 50% interest only for a year and review it? They may well grant this request?

Take care x

laura2481

hello

There's no need to feel ashamed, pretty much everyone on the DFW board has done exactly the same thing but if you are now prepared to face up to things and make changes for the better, things will soon look up!

And you can definitely make savings on your grocery bill. BF and I spent £104 this month on grocery bills, including cleaning stuff toiletries etc. And we weren't living on beans on toast either! You just got to make friends with your supermarkets own brand ( not necessarily value/basic, just own brand) and ask yourself if you REALLY need whatever you are just to about to buy.

And unfortunately, to make real savings you need to cook from scratch. (I'm lucky, my BF takes care of that 'cos I can't cook. ) Possibly, you could do a big batch of cooking one day at the weekend (eg, bolognese, chilli, pasta sauces, casseroles that sort of stuff) and then freeze it in meal size portions so you just have to get out in the morning what you are having for dinner, and reheat! One day hard slog over cooker= 2 weeks very little cooking!

Ok, it was actually about £142 over the month if you count 2 trips out to all you can eat chinese, and one Indian takeaway, when I think about it. But still mega savings compared to you bill!!

Good luck!

laura2481

Oh yeah, and make a spreadsheet showing how your incomings, outgoings and other expenditure affects how everything works over the whole year. (once you are settled perhaps with payplan or similar) I love my spreadsheet. If I feel like blowing £50 on something, I just tap that into my spreadsheet and see how that will make me over overdrawn in 2 months, realise I can't afford it, then don't spend it!

Jesthar

Hey Jim, and welcome!

Just to encourage you, I'm single, live on my own, and spend about £50 - £60 a month on food on average, so you can definitely make a good dent in your food budget with ease, even if you can't get it quite as low as that! And I eat VERY well, too.

~Jes

worried_jim

Jesthar wrote: »

Hey Jim, and welcome!

Just to encourage you, I'm single, live on my own, and spend about £50 - £60 a month on food on average, so you can definitely make a good dent in your food budget with ease, even if you can't get it quite as low as that! And I eat VERY well, too.

~Jes

what do you eat?