I Can't Cope

In_Search_Of_Me

well if you have more coming in than out thats good! My original debt/wages was 137%!! If you post a list of you incomings/outgoings people can see where you can cut down...It may be worth thinking of having a separate account for ddm's (what I do) as find its easier to keep track of what I have left each month...just a thought...the first step is the sorting and also thinking about things you can flog; can you get extra work, do surveys etc...

Sassy_Samantha16

Hello there

I thought i would write you a quick message this afternoon to see how you are and to say that i wasn't to sure on how to post the Budget Planner up onto the message board, so i have decided to type it up instead. (Lol)

Monthly Outgoings

Home
Rent : £525.00
House Insurance : £12.00
Council Tax : £93.00
Water : £38.00
Elecricty : £30.00
Oil : £41.67
Telephone : £20.00

Eating
Food Shopping : £200.00

Transport
Car Insurance : £28.00
Car Tax : £10.00
Petrol : £80.00

Debts
Loan : £147.00
Hp : £99.00

Fun
Tv Licence : £12.00

Note
Incoming : £1920.00
Outgoings : £1335.67

Profit : £584.33

Sassy_Samantha16

Hello there

I thought i would write you a quick message this afternoon to see how you are and to say that after typing up my budget planner, i think i can see where i am going wrong.

My partner and myself like to go out most weekends into town, as we kind of get a little bored stuck at home, and i have noticed that i haven't included this in the planner.

My partner and myself like to go out to various concerts each year, and i have noticed that i haven't included this in the planner.

sarah_elton

I don't see a mobile phone in your SOA - do you not have one or is that cost missed out?

Going out every weekend can swallow money really fast. Also, you have the car costs like petrol and insurance but you're not budgeting for the annual MOT bill and any potential repairs.

More importantly, there's no outgoings there at all for shopping other than food - do you honestly never buy clothes, or anything else (presents, CDs, books... anything)?

I think if you really look at what you spent in the last few months you'll see where your leftover £584 goes each month. If you can pinpoint how much you spend on each item, you can set a monthly budget for each and really start cutting back.

OH and I spend barely anything on going out. We're really into board games - not kids ones or Monopoly but serious games that (honestly!) are fun. Buying one costs the same as a night out and fills many a Sunday afternoon. We also do a lot of walking in parks, woods, by the sea etc. That's practically free (petrol and car parking required). I used to end up shopping, or drinking with friends at weekends. I'm a lot happier now and saving money. Also, instead of a night out you could have friends round to yours. Say you'll give them snacks but it's bring your own booze. My friends and I used to do this every Friday night (till we all coupled off lol) and just chat, or watch a movie, play on the Wii...

Burlesque_Babe

sounds like it is going on food, nights out, concerts etc etc - I think you know where to start

There are loads of cheap and even free things to do at the weekend, wherever you are in the UK. Have a look around MSE for some ideas. There are loads of things you can do together as well, such as an adult ed. class, organised walks, games evenings, join a choir or a particular sports team such as rugby.

bargainbetty

You could also have a look at the Old Style boards for ways to reduce your grocery spend..... incorporate an idea already given and learn how to do a cheap dinner party so you gets friends over rather than going out.

Good luck.

Sassy_Samantha16

Hello there

I thought i would write you a quick message this morning to see how you are and to say thank you for all of the advice and information ypou have given me, because it really does meana lot.

With regards to a mobile phone, the company i work for allows me to have a mobile phone through them. As long as i don't use it to much then they will pay the bill etc, so that is why i haven't budgeted for it.

With regards to clothes, i have to admit that i don't really buy clothes that often, and when i do it usually isn't that much, but i have to admit that it hasn't been budgeted for which could be a problem.

With regards to the car, i have to admit that this has caused me some problems in the past especailly when it has broke down in the past and i have had to have it repairrd, as i haven't budgeted for it.

I think i might have a look around the boards for ideas on what we could do at the weekend, which would involve less money than going into town. I think the main reason we go into town as we do get a little bored at home etc.

slig

I would definitely have a go at the SOA calculator here http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html. It is probably the little things that you forget about that are causing the problems!

Also try keeping a spending diary for a month - December will be higher than usual I expect (it is for me!), but it will give you a good idea of what your money is going on. Then you can give yourself a small budget for luxuries like clothes and going out- or cut them out completely for a few months in the new year if you want to really speed up the process.

Ultimately though, please try not to worry too much. Your situation is not too bad at all compared to some people, and if you are breaking even each month then with a bit of cutting back you will be in the black in no time. Definitely have a browse through this site though, and if you post your soa using the link above you will start to get a really clear picture of what you need to cut back on, and when you will be debt free.

Well done for acknowledging the problem now by the way .