What else can I do?

Greenwellies_2

Hi,

Hubby has been made redundant. He's only officially been out of work for 8 weeks, but has been searching for a job for 7 months, with no sucess (even registered with an agency, but no work)

Anyhow, I have cut back in every possible way, examples are:
Boiler only on when needed
began shopping in Asda
Began shopping for fruit and veg in market
only buy alcohol when it's on offer.
mortgage is on interest only deal
all credit card debts are only for BT deals
Just changed mobile contract to PAYG
make soups for lunches
children have only drunk water for years
using soda crystals with soap powder mix
never buy papers, never use dvd / or cable / sky service
Sell excess items on ebay

I am still £1200 short each month to pay the bills etc. :eek:

I work almost full time, and I am doing a full time degree, so I have no time to do anything else (but boy am I trying)

What else could you suggest?

Thanks

Greenwellies

black-saturn

Cooking everything from scratch as they do on the Old Style board might cut down even more. Other than that cut out alcohol altogether and welcome to the world of budget living!!

Greenwellies_2

I do cook everything from scratch already, I gave up ready meals about 3 years ago. Having said that I brought some pies in the reduced section at asda the other day (no one liked them!)

As for alcohol, to be honest I don't drink that much, maybe 3 social glasses a week, and even hubby has cut down, but that is his only vice. He's doing really well, but I can't expect him to give it up completly. (He's not an alcoholic)

Thanks for the suggestions though

Greenwellies

Peppa_Pig_5

Welcome Greenwellies, can you post a SOA. With your incomings, outgoings and any loans/credit cards you have with the APRs and balances, plus your monthly payments. Maybe we can help reduce your outgoings a bit more.

Peppa
x

Peppa_Pig_5

Also is your husband claiming Jobseekers Allowance. Only about £52 per week, but better than nothing.

Peppa
x

Greenwellies_2

??? SOA ??? Statement of accounts???

Yes he has just applied for JSA, we have to wait 2 weeks for a response as to whether he'll be eligable.

Thanks

Greenwellies

Peppa_Pig_5

Greenwellies. SOA is a statement of affairs.

Incomings (Monthly wages/Child Benefit etc)
Outgoings (Mortgage, gas, Electric, all other bills)

Then Credit cards/loans separately with balances, total monthly payment and APRs

Hope this helps
Peppa
x

Greenwellies_2

Actual Plan One Off
Overdraft Cost £5.00 £5.00
Mortgage / Rent £700.44 £700.44 Goes up in Dec 06
Household Maintenance £100.00 £50.00
Water Rates / Meter £38.00 £38.00 Not cheaper to have a meter
Gas Bill £30.00 £30.00 Just changed to a new supplier
Electricity Bill £30.00 £30.00 Just changed to a new supplier
Home Phone Bill £10.00 £7.50 Plan to talk less!
Internet Bill £23.44 £15.00 just neg a better deal
Mobile Phone Bill(s) £38.00 £24.00 Just changed to a new supplier
Food & Household Shopping £650.00 £400.00 will try harder
Pet Food £30.00 £25.00 now measuring it
Car Maintainence £80.00 £80.00 pays for insurance ec, goes into an account
Petrol / Diesel / Gas £80.00 £50.00 trying not to use it so much
Car Loan Repayments £291.67 £291.67 Until June 2009 (6.4% i believe)
Personal Loan Repayments £100.00 £100.00 Owe £1000, but on 0% so not paying it
Credit Card Repayments £300.00 £300.00 £2235.55 0% until July, 2075. 0% until May
Mini Cash ISA's £20.00 £50.00 Just begun to think about it
Pocket Money £20.00 £20.00
Big Days Out £20.00 Just in case
Family Days Out £20.00 Just in case
TV Licence £25.30 £25.30 on D'debit
Cost of Christmas £400.00 For December 06
Cost of Winter Holiday £400.00 Payable by October 06
Cost of Summer Holiday £300.00 Camping - already booked
Cost of Birthdays £300.00 Have a 'do' booked in May
New Clothes £25.00 £25.00
Your Courses £1,200.00 Payable in Dec 06
Optical Bills £25.00 £25.00

Income
Salary 1000
Benefits 670


(thanks)

Greenwellies_2

Argh, I planned that all out nicely!

There should be 3 columns - can anyone advise me of how to do that on this thread?

Thanks

GW

crawley_girl

Are you claiming Council Tax Benefit?

Do you really need 2 holidays?

Do you think it is worth putting any money into an ISA if you are struggling with your outgoings at present? I know it is only £20 but that is £20 that could be spent on something else. The same goes for days out and family days.

Good luck

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

Bunnie1982

Food and Houseshopping - How many people are you shopping for, some excellent money saving ideas on the Old Style Board. We can shop for 2 of us for less than £20 a week.

Pet Food - How many and what pets have you got? We feed 2 guinea pigs, one rabbit and one fish for £15 a month

Mini Cash ISA - Perhaps it would be usful at the moment not to put money into this

Days Out - Could save by making a picnic and going walking...plenty of free things to do as a day out

Holidays - We are lucky if we get one a year, never mind 2. Do you really need 2 holidays?