Time to get this started

LittleBoots

edinburgher wrote: »

Hey LittleBoots

Where (roughly) in Scotland do you live? Your Council Tax seems very high for a property worth £85k! Are you paying back arrears? Think you should double check the band/council and look to have it re-assessed.

Also, if you're in one of the big cities there's really no excuse for taking taxis more than 1-2 times a month at most (harsh but true).

Without trying to sound mean - it seems to me that your DFW plans are maybe running away with you. It's all well and good to throw in some NSD, but have you given any more thought to your SOA and basics like that? You are living wildly outside your means and a few days off shopping and buying magazines isn't going to fix that £5,500 hole in your finances.

A few obvious things stand out from your SOA:

Electricity............................. 49 (this is really high for one person - do you have arrears? If not, you should switch and fast!)
Gas..................................... 89 (same here)
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 19.5 (Realistically you should cancel this - you have -£300+ a month and can't afford it)
Groceries etc. ......................... 200 (This is double what it should be. Food is considerably cheaper in Scotland than down South and this is what my gf and I spend combined in London for a month!)
Clothing................................ 100 (You can't afford this!)
Haircuts................................ 60 (This is really high - most women I know get their hair done once every 6-8 weeks. You can easily half this and still get a good cut/highlights)
Entertainment........................... 150 (This is again far too high! You could half this with a few less trips into town at the weekend!)
Holiday................................. 100 (You can't afford to save this when you have negative income. I'd stop this saving until you have your debts under control).

From these points alone there's easily £400+/mth that can be shaved off what you're currently spending.

Best of luck reining things in, but I think you might need to come up with some more active plans for reducing your debts The fact that you're here is a great start. Also, your wage isn't bad at all - a few fairly painless lifestyle changes could no doubt see you debt free in a year or so if you're willing to cut back a little.

Hi Edinburgher thanks for your reply. I know I spend too much, I've tried to be honest with my SoA! At first I was just guessing and put down £20 a month for clothes but after looking at bank statements and receipts I discovered it was much more. Doing the SOA has def given me that kick to stop wasting money and get that debt paid off.

My gas and elec doubled in January this year after switching companies:rolleyes:. I think the monthly payment is set to reduce next month (fingers crossed) but am taking action and switching plugs off and taking regular meter readings.

I live in the outskirts of Glasgow, plenty of buses and trains but sheer laziness gets me in the taxi! Such a waste of money so am making that a definite NONO.

I challenged the council tax band 2 years ago and was informed I was on the correct band. Everyone on the street is on the same band too

But again thanks for your advice, I really do think I can do this

Fire_Fox

Gas and electricity ... if you post your actual usage in KWH (annual if possible) either here or on the G&E board then we can advise if it is normal or excessive. Unfortunately switching off plugs and using energy saving bulbs doesn't make much difference to your bills :mad: the killers are heating (wear two jumpers, get the loft insulated, buy an electric blanket for your bed), hot water (short showers, laundry at 30C) and tumble dryers (just stop). We spend £34 a month split between two of us - last year it was £26 - which is a big change from your bills! :eek:

Shoe_Gal

LittleBoots wrote: »

Hello

So I am still making my way through all the diaries and hints and tips on this brilliant forum. Keeps me away from buying things I dont need on ebay

So I have set some mini goals, nothing too taxing for now

• Check net banking every 1-2 days as able
• Make a payment a day, even if only a few pence
• Provide accurate gas/elec meter readings once a week to hopefully reduce my bills
• Make sandwiches for work this week (freeze). Also take juice to avoid the costly vending machine
• Look out for freezable reduced items (although try to avoid buying super calorific choc cake just cos its 50p)
• LESS TAXIS
• Put more effort into looking for new, better paid job
• De-clutter and sell sell sell

Also want to lose about a stone in weight, not exactly sure what I weigh right now but will check tomorrow :eek:

Hi LittleBoots :hello::hello::hello:

These sound like good plans :A - take it from one who has been there , don't be too strict with yourself and then go on a mad spending (or eating :rolleyes:) binge

As somebody else has said, try to tackle a couple of the big overspends - maybe the gas/electric? I live on my own in a 2 bedroomed apartment and pay £40 per month for electricity and have no gas :eek: - and I'm not very good at turning things off, often use my tumble dryer and sleep with the TV on all night

edinburgher

Doing the SOA has def given me that kick to stop wasting money and get that debt paid off.

Good for you :T Realising there's something to fix is the first step towards fixing it.

Apologies if I came across a bit strident in my earlier post - just trying to point out a few oddities in your expenditure. I would feel quite confident if I was you - a few sensible changes will save you literally thousands. Time for a money makeover?

Shoe_Gal

Hi Littleboots

Have you had a good 'MSE' day?

Shoe Gal x

LittleBoots

Hey Everyone

Thanks for your replies, I'm not hiding just been busy at work. Lost internet connection last night very frustrating.

Anyway things are going good, been taking lunches to work, have contacted the gas/elec people and am now going to check my bank balance and look for jobs online

Will do proper catch up tomorrow (hopefully)

LittleBoots

Update Time

Less that a week til payday woohoo!!!

So my first MSE week hasnt been too bad, been quite gentle on myself though

Managed one NSD and kept a spending diary for the rest of the week. Had a few unexpected spends - mainly bus fare, medicine and I bought dinner for a mate (friend in need...).

Spoke to the gas/elec people and got the bills down

Made a few lil payments to the credit card

Also had another look through my SOA, have to say that I have probably overestimated a few things. For example I put £60 for hair cuts but I only go to the hairdresser every 2-3 months, have bought hairdye this month to do it myself. I also dont save £100 for holidays, I just seem to find the cash for a wee trip away.

I'm about to go and make lunches for work this week, also have to try to get over my coffee addiction.We dont have a kettle in work (not allowed) so have to buy my daily coffee, not sure I can get through the day without it.

I'm away to catch up on the boards now...

NSD tomorrow!!!

Shoe_Gal

Hi Littleboots

Hope you've had a good weekend?

Coffee - we're not allowed a kettle either (H&S?) but our canteen allows us to buy hot water for 10p - so I just take in a jar of coffee (don't take milk or sugar) - just an idea

LittleBoots

Shoe_Gal wrote: »

Hi Littleboots

Hope you've had a good weekend?

Coffee - we're not allowed a kettle either (H&S?) but our canteen allows us to buy hot water for 10p - so I just take in a jar of coffee (don't take milk or sugar) - just an idea

Hiya!

Very lazy weekend for me but good though
Yeah the canteen staff wont give us hot water...it's a joke! Ploy to stop us taking our own stuff in I'm sure.

How has your weekend been? About to go catch up w your diary

Shoe_Gal

LittleBoots wrote: »

Hiya!

Very lazy weekend for me but good though
Yeah the canteen staff wont give us hot water...it's a joke! Ploy to stop us taking our own stuff in I'm sure.

How has your weekend been? About to go catch up w your diary

Went to the races yesterday, it was lovely

And have done nothing today