New Member :o)

Nic25

Hi everyone, been lurking for a while now and decided to take the step and sign up today!

I'm not really sure about what to write here, other than hello! I've read some great info here all ready, and I'm hoping you all can help me getting rid of my debts :j I'm in the middle of adding everything up at the moment, is there a specific way to write down the data to show you guys?

So far, I've signed up for a couple of the survey sites, GreenMetropolis and Ebay. I also signed up for Pigsback but don't really understand how to make money from that without spending first? I'm also on the lookout for a big pot so I can join the next sealed pot challenge which looks fun!
Are there any other places I should be signing up for, or things I should be doing to get started?

Great site - I'm feeling really positive, and getting ready to tackle my debts head on!

Look forward to speaking to you all!
Nic

Batfink

Hello Nic, and welcome.

Have a look at this thread - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

It will help you make an SOA, that everyone here will rip to shreds and save you a fortune.

Best of luck
x

paybacktime2008

Welcome to the boards! There is a SOA calculator (Statement of affairs) at www.whatsthecost.com Hmmmm or is it www.makesenseofcards.com. Either way one site has the calculator and one has the scary snowball which tells you how long your debts are going to take to pay back!

You've joined at a great time with lots of new challenges starting. good luck with everything.

sammy115

Just post anything random and we will do our best to answer your questions....welcome to join in daily chat anytime

Numpty_Monkey

:hello:Hi

paybacktime has posted the link to the SOA calc
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
List as much as you can, all income, outgoings, debts,minimum payments APR
Don't be affraid or worried if you get asked questions we're just nosey:p
but very helpful:A

PIgsback isn't that good at the moment but if you join racecaller via pigsback you get 100 pp for joining
Have a read of the pigsback thread on the freebies board
Pigsback - Free cash for clicks - Newbies please read

Eagerlearner has a great thread for"Daily Clicks"
Free Daily Cashback from sites - Q&A Board

And just join in we are nice people on here:T
Ask if your not sure about anything

Welcome to DFW:A

southernscouser

Your vital statistics would be a good start.

Nic25

Okay guys, here is my SOA - commence tearing apart!

<pre><b>Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet</b><b>
Monthly Income Details</b>
Monthly income after tax................ 600
Partners monthly income after tax....... 1400
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0<b>
Total monthly income.................... 2000</b><b>
Monthly Expense Details</b>
Mortgage................................ 453
Secured loan repayments................. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 10
Council tax............................. 114
Electricity............................. 30
Gas..................................... 10
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 12
Mobile phone............................ 70
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 27
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 70
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 40
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 40
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 10
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 40
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 15
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 10
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 10
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 20
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0<b>
Total monthly expenses.................. 1013</b>
<b>
Assets</b>
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 63000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 3500
Other assets............................ 0<b>
Total Assets............................ 66500</b>
<b>
Secured Debts</b>
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 63000....(453)......12<b>
Total secured debts........... 63000.....-.........- </b>
<b>Unsecured Debts</b>
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card 1..................6000......130.......9.9
Credit Card 2..................2500......40........9.9
Car Loan.......................3500......140.......12
Overdraft......................1250......0.........0<b>
Total unsecured debts..........13250.....310.......- </b>
<b>
Monthly Budget Summary</b>
Total monthly income.................... 2,000
Expenses (including secured debts)...... 1,013
Available for debt repayments........... 987
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 310<b>
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ 677</b>
<b>Personal Balance Sheet Summary</b>
Total assets (things you own)........... 66,500
Total Secured debt...................... -63,000
Total Unsecured debt.................... -13,250<b>
Net Assets.............................. -9,750</b>
<i><br /><br />Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on The Motley Fool DWD Board with permission.</i></pre>



I'm not 100% of a couple of the numbers, but that's just about correct I think. My overdraft is interest free until June 09 so I'd love to get that paid of before they start charging me! I wasn't sure if that should be added in the debts part or not...

paybacktime2008

Well done.

Ok the 3 things that jump out are.....1. £70 a month groceries are you sure?
2. Mobiles....Big Bill there. Can you change tariffs
3. The biggy! You are showing as a £677 a month surplus. Where is it going? If you can crack where this money is evaporating to...with help from a spending diary.... www.spendingdiary.com I reckon you will be home and dry!!

oscar52

southernscouser wrote: »

Your vital statistics would be a good start.

What would you do if Nic turned out to be short for Nicolas?

Nic25

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Yes, there's 2 of us in the house, and we are usually at least £70 a month for groceries - is this a lot? About £15 of this is on pet food though....

We are both on £35 a month contracts for mobiles - mine is up in January, so hopefully be able to bring that down a good bit.

Yes - I noticed the surplus bit, and thought there must be an error somewhere - we very much DONT have £600 left over each month, in fact I can't remember the last time we didnt dip into OHs overdraft for the last few days of the month! That's really quite scary - £600 is a lot to lose track of!

Nic25

Haha, and don't worry - it's Nicola