Bankrupt!

dottyanne

Hi Nick i've been reading your posts for a while now. I too am self-employed (sole-trader) and my OH works for me so we have double the pressure! I've often thought how much easier life was in the past but in a way i'm glad i've had to face up to my bad money management and finances now, the only thing that puts pressure on me is debt. I am certain about that (and i have 3 kids, and 4 step-kids and even they dont cause as much worry to me as debt). I was like you about 10 days ago - really down in the dumps. You get like that sometimes - just stick with it - you seem to be clutching at straws (as we all do) to cut back and save money - to the point of considering bankruptcy. I would say stick with it and in a while you will see the benefits of being more frugal. Good Luck and im here to support you all the way.....dottyanne....xx

lynzpower

Nick Ive got freeview, bought the cheapest box from argos (sagem) for about £23 last week. We mainly watch e4, bbc 3&4 or the films from our tarting. TBH we didnt REALLY need it , but the picture quality is superb etc. PLus you get all the dig radio stations which are brilliant. Weve wired some speakers up via the telly set up and we have AMAZING sound on it.

I would never pay for sky as its majority adverts, and repeats.

If you want the 6 feet under type series we get them from DVD clubs and watch them all in one sitting, never missing a one

NickToye

Well i'm looking at freeview and sacrificing my sports.
Going to get some IVA advice, just to see what the options are, not saying I will do it, but its just worth testing the water.

Thing is, all I need for my business is one or two big contracts that can start the snowball effect of paying back loans and credit cards. I've also cut up my barclaycard today too.

Dottyanne, what is your business if you don't mind me asking?

sweetmoneysaver

NickToye wrote:

Anyone know what freeview is like? Is it worth it?

Freeview is an ideal to solution to paying high Sky fees. Although you have the initial outlay of the box itself (sometimes as cheap as £40), there is nothing else to pay. You get a good range of channels as things like E4 are now free. You can get a box that has a card slot. This allows you to subscribe to "Top up TV" for around £8 per month with no minimum subscription time, you just pay for each month as you want it http://www.topuptv.com/. I believe that there is a one of connection fee (around £20). However, we haven't subscribed as the range of channels of freeview covers our needs. Hope this helps.

Snich

A freeview box cost me 22 quid off ebay (with my first paycheque). I think it's great and excellent value for money. I have never had sky so I don't know what i'm missing but combined with using my clubcard vouchers for free blockbuster rentals, I think I get the best of both worlds. Plus, it's a massive boost to your debt free date!

Hang in there. Everything that's really worth doing is hard work. You're doing well and you've made a good start.

Keep going, Snich x

lynzpower

Its worth it I think Nick, and a tidy saving there too.

Isnt IVA where you pay like a quid a month to your creditors to keep them off your back? Some people here have been commenting that they have 80-odd years at that rate. Worth thinking about.

dottyanne

Hi Nick - were in the computer business, repairs upgrades etc.........

Wickedkitten

Just a couple of things really

Water: £50

That is an absolute load for water per month, are you on rates or are you on a metre?

Sky Digital: £36.50

I would definately see about getting freeview if you are out of your contract period.

Orange Mobile: £35.00

Is it possible for you to switch to payg?

streetscholar

Emmzi wrote:

WARNING - RANT ALERT

Nick, this was your original SOA...

Running Costs:
Rent: £595.00
C/Tax: £115.00
NPower Gas: £30.00
NPower Electricity: £25.00
House Insurance: £31.65
TV Licence: £32.87 (Per Quarter)
BT Phone: £40.00
Appliance Rental: £12.95
Sky Digital: £42.50
HP Car: £164.23
Life Insurance: £30.00
Car Insurance: £61.20
Orange Mobile: £35.00 approx
Wanadoo Broadband: £26.99
Choice Catalogue: £100.00 approx

Total = £1320.47
+ loans repayment
Total = £1634.54
+ credit card repayments
(£150.00 per month approx.)
Total = £1784.54

[/END RANT]

you have like 3 phones:

Orange Mobile: £35.00 approx
BT Phone: £40.00
Choice Catalogue: £100.00 approx

i'd consider these as unnecessary lavish expenses

Chortle_2

If you have already got Sky, you can pay £20 for a card to convert it into a 'Freesat' Box - http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=6

I already have digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

All you need to get access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a freesat viewing card which costs just £20.

Thus saving you forking out for a Digibox, and you get more channels with freesat