Does this Qualify as a lightbulb Moment ?

CLAPTON

yes I think that's definitely a large flashing light bulb there

presumably you have no credit card debts?
essentially you have net at least 242 long term and short term 467 to find

pocket money of £200 per month ...well you need to analyse that and should be able to reduce by at least 100 but depends what it is used for.

groceries for only two? people could be reduced from 230 by at least 50

which leaves cat insurance (is this really needed), union costs are they necessary? and car costs

the car costs presumably cover two cars...is there any way you can manage with one

mobile phones could be replaced by PAYG and only used for emergency saving of 50 say

does your loan include PPI (personal payment insurance) which you could cancel?
usually this is very expensive and even if you feel you need it, its nearly always cheaper to buy it separately from the loan

have you reviewed your mortgage with a view to remortgaging to a better rate?

can your OH get a part time job to increase your income because even with the above cuts there is still a shortfall

skintchick

Verbatim wrote:

What's up skintchick? Are you OK?

kathfisch wrote:

Hope you're ok Skintchick

Thanks guys! Went back on my anti-depressants yesterday and feel spacey and sick. Woke up every half hour throughout the night and am a bit manic this morning. But I'm OK, at least I don't feel like killing myself at the moment.

rubix_76

newmoneysaver wrote:

£200 a month pocket money?!

At the moment you can't afford to have any pocket money. Ehat is this used for? Can you go without? Does it cover lunches whilst at work, if so take lunches from home, so much cheaper..

Quite simply . . . just stuff. I have suggested to the OH that we incorporate our Mobile into that (both on contract). The landline is mainly used for incoming calls and internet.

No bought lunches we are good and have pack-ups.

Verbatim

If you're sticking with BG have you got the price promise deal? I went for that and have prices capped until 2010 but I'd have to pay them £75 (I think) if I swithch before then! Not sure it's a good deal but I reasoned that all the prices are going up so keeping the current price could be good. Also several friends have switched to a 'cheaper' deal only to be told that they "owe" huge sums to the new supplier because, I suppose the calculation wasn't accurate.

in*the*red_6

rubix_76 wrote:

Tax credits, will look into (when the bloomin baby turns up - allready 5 days late )

Rubix

Yes, I remember that - first babies don't like to hurry - mine was 12 days overdue! Best wishes with everything, it will be wonderful

skintchick

rubix_76 wrote:

Quite simply . . . just stuff. I have suggested to the OH that we incorporate our Mobile into that (both on contract). The landline is mainly used for incoming calls and internet.

No bought lunches we are good and have pack-ups.

Has anyone mentioned doing a spending diary? If it goes on 'stuff' then you need to write down everything you spend, no matter how small, and find out where it's going. The results may shock you!

A week is OK, a month is better. Give it a go.

rubix_76

CLAPTON wrote:

yes I think that's definitely a large flashing light bulb there

presumably you have no credit card debts?
essentially you have net at least 242 long term and short term 467 to find

pocket money of £200 per month ...well you need to analyse that and should be able to reduce by at least 100 but depends what it is used for.

groceries for only two? people could be reduced from 230 by at least 50

which leaves cat insurance (is this really needed), union costs are they necessary? and car costs

the car costs presumably cover two cars...is there any way you can manage with one

mobile phones could be replaced by PAYG and only used for emergency saving of 50 say

does your loan include PPI (personal payment insurance) which you could cancel?
usually this is very expensive and even if you feel you need it, its nearly always cheaper to buy it separately from the loan

have you reviewed your mortgage with a view to remortgaging to a better rate?

can your OH get a part time job to increase your income because even with the above cuts there is still a shortfall

only CC at the mo is one with Car insurnace on - should pay that off this month, and OH had one on low APR which she pays off from her money.

Cat ins - definitely our cat is 4 (we have 2) and we have allready claimed enough to pay for both thier premimums as she has an ongoing ilness.

Union costs, OH HAS to pay to work (no choice - NHS) to be registered as a radiographer.

Cars, we need two as we work in opposite directions and both work shifts (no chance of pub transport)

Mobiles - contract

Loan PPI, it is a SECURED loan so not happy about taking that off, don't want to lose the house.

We both work, she goes back in July after Mat leave, and is able to pick up shifts easily and so extra income is easily achived.

Thanks for all the help

Rubix

highguyuk

Land line – BT 13
For calls, consider using 18185.com - especially for mobile calls.

Internet (dial up) – BT Openworld 15 hours per month 4.99
15 hours per month isn't alot but thats a good package if you don't go over it. You will probably pay alot for your access though if you do go over?

Groceries – Tesco 260
Like others have said, this is quite a bit and could be cut down. Do you shop online/offline. Online you could save by not being tempted to splash out and just keep to what you need. You could also use discount vouchers/codes to gain extra clubcards points that you could use in Clubcard Deals to gain.

Mobile Phone Me & OH 60
When are your contracts up?

Car Insurance 750
Use https://www.confused.com and get a quote on your insurance. It could be beneficial to switch in the middle of your policy if its cheap enough - although £750 for 2 cars (?) doesn't seem too bad!

Car Maintenance inc MOT 300
There is an article on the site regarding MOTs and how to save money, have a looky!

RAC Membership 100
Which package is this on? Again, how many cars in the household? Autoaid do cover for £32 that alot of people have recommended. Alternatively, use the extra clubcard points that I mentioned early in a Clubcard deal to get your RAC policies cheaper.

I think this qualifies you for your lightbulb moment ... although maybe only 60w with your £200 pocket money per month. lol.

tyllwyd

Have I got this right, your baby is due any day now (best wishes!) and your OH intends to go back to work when s/he is about four months old - and your childcare will be £433 per month, but your shortfall in your income will be £467? Looking at those figures, I would question whether it was worthwhile rushing back to work so soon - has she thought about making maximum use of maternity leave instead?

If you and your OH are both working over 16 hours per week, you should be able to get a bit back for childcare tax credits (ring up the tax credits people to let them know, it is easily done).

Edited because I got muddled and thought you were the one having the baby, not your OH!

rubix_76

highguyuk wrote:

I think this qualifies you for your lightbulb moment ... although maybe only 60w with your £200 pocket money per month. lol.

That's not fair :mad: I have only listed what we are doing at the moment, and I am trying to make amends, otherwise I wouldn't have posted.

I need to be able to get the full support of OH, she has improved by spending less, but she doesn't seem to think it is as bas as it really is.

Anyway I use energy saving bulbs at the moment so does that qualify as a 9 or 11 Watt :rotfl:

Rubix