Debt Help Needed please..........

Leia_Stephens

That is very true, RandyRos ;D.

As well as paying at least the minimum payments on your debts, you do need to have some fun too .

Leia

RandyRos

thanks.
one thing i have been doing is swapping my unwanted freebies for something i can use in gifts. i've been collecting washing tablet boxes, filling them up with bits and pieces and wrapping them. i feel a bit tight doing it, but its all decent stuff inside, even if they are all samples. :-[

DiggingOut

I think family should understand that you don't need to be spending a lot on gifts right now. How will they feel if you buy them nice gifts and then end up bankrupt?

No, I don't think the £500 is excessive if it includes housekeeping, toiletries, etc. I expect there is some you can slash out of it if you really try, though.

I would go on a crash course of toilet-training, using bribery rewards for success! If this can be accomplished quickly, it will save both stress and the cost of pullups.

Make a deal with hubby. He cuts his cig smoking in half, you find a new home for one of your more expensive pets.

Do you really need a mobile? I doubt it, few people do. Consider if you can save there.

Your car is costing a lot, can you drive less and save some there?

Part of the problem is you've been enjoying the money without having it, so that means you'll get lots less enjoyment out of it now when he's earning it. But plan for celebrations with every debt you clear. Just make them inexpensive celebrations.

But don't get discouraged, this is not insurmountable. People in worse situations have gotten out of debt.

RandyRos

well, we live out in the country and I need a mobile cos our phones always going out for 1 reason or another.
plus as i suffer from Manic Depression, its my lifeline to the outside world (being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no car, cos hubby uses it for work). no way in Hell I'm giving it up!
the little one is out of pull-ups now!! ;D
i'm in the processes of making another financial statement, and at the moment, things are looking up. :-* just hope it lasts.............
thanks everyone for their advice. ;D

LouiseW_3

sorry i can't be of any real help but just wanted to say good luck and i hope you start getting out of your debt.

Spendless

Hi
well done in acknowledging your prob, pleased to hear things are looking up.
Looking at start of thread I`ve noticed you`re spending £12 month on perscriptions. Would a season ticket not work out cheaper.
Is hubby filling car up at cheapest place or at Tesco to get clubcard points? (apologies for no links, it`s cos I`m a newbie and complete technophobe).

Are you using coupons to reduce shopping bill?

Markets are generally cheaper for meat/fish/fruit/veg.
Any near you? you could feed the rabbit with the veg peelings!!

I only buy clothes in sales.

Noticed you buy prezzies for adults. Do your family know of your circs? Could you knock down to kids only?
Like your idea of filling box with unwanted freebies though will give it a go. by the way why washing tablets wouldn't powder work out cheaper?

I can understand why you want to treat kids to trips out.
Check what age admission prices kick in -varies from place to place. Your youngest may get in for free. Check if any discounts/2for1 offers going. Ask on travel board.
Take picnic and drink with you.
Sounds as if you live out in the sticks, make most of country walks, blackberry picking,conkers,pine-cones.
My eldest likes to go for walk collecting leaves, twigs etc in carrier bag which he then makes into collage.

And remember I once asked my 4 year old of all the places he'd ever been to (Flamingoland, Center Parcs, Disneyland Paris to name a few). Which was his very favourite place. His answer the park 2 miles down the road!!!!!
Good luck. Let us know how you get on. LOL

RandyRos

thanks for that, u made a good few points.
yes we fill up at Asda usually, so we pay as little as poss for petrol.
prescriptions........we never used to pay, only the Tax Credit ppl have decided that hubby earned too much last year (£16k gross). kids are free, and hubby stays away from doc as much as possible, but i need several meds. i never thought of a season ticket, i will have to look into that. tho paying in a lump sum might be a prob. :-[
my asda doesn't take coupons anymore. head office says yes, but they still refuse. i had been spending over £10 a week in coupons, which was great, but no more. :'(and all the other supermarkets round here are the same. only if u buy that product. miserable beggers! they get their money back plus a handling fee, so whats their problem?? any coupons i do get i swap.
im not sure why i swapped to washing tablets.............. prob just habit now. i do have to buy calgon tho, cos our water is notoriously hard. my washers are always going wrong because of it!! I always make sure I have insurance on it tho. and i have to buy Lenor or Comfort, not shops own brands cos hubby works with pigs and theyre the only brands strong enuf to take away the stink! ;D
nope, cant get to any markets, hubby often works weekends, so i am limited where i can go. and no bleeding buses either!! >:( community transport want £5 a year, + £6 for every trip into town!! blinkin shocking if u ask me!!
i try and buy my clothes as cheap as possible, but at a size 24, its not easy. (and no, i dont eat too much, i have several medical problems! before someone says something) ebay has been a boon lately! i've been using some of the money i've earnt from selling.
i pick lots of weeds for the rabbit and guinea pigs, but its amazing how much they get thru!!
yes we do go for walks, but the damn farmer has hacked the hedges, so no blackberries this year!!
we did have some parasol mushrooms growing near our house, so we ate them buggers!! LOL I gave some to the neighbours, too. but i'm sure they thought i was trying to poison them!! ROFL
we have a mobile vet come round now cos its cheaper. but she usually only comes once a year to give the dog his booster jabs.
hubbys just worked 3 weekends in a row, and it shud be a 5 week month, so hopefully we can pay a lump off a bill as well as taking the kids out one day. ;D

Spendless

I''m size 24 myself (and can't even blame it on medical reasons). I've found best place to shop is for clothes is Asda.
Shocked your Asda won't accept coupons. :oHope this isn't a trend moving northwards!!!
If you get leaflets through your door saying half price walkers crisps for example from different shops, as long as the product is the same and the leaflet in date Asda
should match the price/deal.
A cashier told me that a few months ago and gave me a leaflet stating that they do it. Since then it's been advertised - on posters all round our store-not sure if it's been on telly. You could then still shop in Asda cos prices bit cheaper, but get all the deals of other supermarkets. If won't do this ring HO and complain ,ask for copy of leaflet stating that they do this and generally whine like mad. They may send you some vouchers to shut you up!!! . Worth a try.
If your'e on medication for medical reasons. Can you not get Disability Living Allowance? Worth applying, worst they can say is no.

Edinburghlass_2

Regarding the problems with the washers, you are probably using too much washing powder by using the tablets. Repair man told me years ago that most problems can be avoided by using half the washing powder that is recommended on the packets!

Spendless

Hi RandyRos

How are you doing?