Things seem to be taking a turn for the worse, here's my SOA

in*the*red_6

Sea78 wrote:

hi,

Well done for posting your SOA. Obviously, you've had some good advice already - def ring to cancel sky even if you don't intend to and see what they offer you...you can always say you have to ring back later if they call your bluff and say the kids are crying!

How about some extra income from childminding? Perhaps after school pick ups? I know it costs to get the qulifications, but while you're doing that you could ask your friends...? I know a few of my friends who have school age kids have made (paid) arrangements and it means that you could still do stuff with your own kids.. That money could then go to annual expense, like Christmas, car tax etc.

Good luck! Do let us know how you get on
Seaxx

Hi Sea

Good tip on the sky, wouldn't have thought of doing that!

I am registering to be a childminder but it's taking a lot longer than I expected. I will be doing full time and before and after school if I can get the business, I'm desperate to be earning something again!

ITR

Baggiebird1nil

I rang Sky last week after finding this site and told them I was thinking of moving to Telewest. They instantly cut my subscription of £36 to £18 for the next 3 months. I am also with Telewest for broadband and was paying £25 per month. I gave them a call this morning and they have cut that down to £17.99. Try ringing Sky they can only say no but if you don't give them the opportunity they can't.

tawnyowls

in*the*red wrote:

He hasn't played a game of golf for weeks because of our situation, he would like to be in the position to be able to play a couple of 9 holes a month when I am earning. Can't really blame him for wanting some kind of leisure pursuit as he works full time and sees little reward for it.

OK, fair enough, but probably should look at doing it as cheaply as possible. Didn't Martin have something on the programme about that? I'm sure someone (else will remember and point you in the right direction.

Re Sky - what exactly does he watch on it? If it's only the odd few channels (besides what's available on Freeview, perhaps you could get a reduced package, either with Sky or another provider.

Food bills fairly high - perhaps you could reduce these by using the tips on here?

Might be able to reduce the leccy by having economy 7 and running the washing machine, tumbledrier etc on that at night (timer plugs useful for this). (BTW, forgot to say in post on other thread - if you do use plugs don't get them to come on at exactly the same time; might trip your fusebox! Let one finish before the next starts)

Could certainly reduce broadband - £17.99 still very high; should be able to get same speed (or maybe you could manage with slightly slower?) for £14.99 at least, maybe less. Try https://www.adslguide.org.uk for help.

Probably good idea to look for alternative to Cahoot loan, and keep payments the same if you can so you pay it off sooner. Also look at moving Amex to 0% interest card.

As for jobs, temping agencies a good idea to try - usually pretty well paid and you only stay a week or so in each place, so doesn't really matter if it's not very nice. Typing/computer skills particularly useful there. Also, how about the supermarkets? Pay not great, but shifts usually very flexible.

h4nym

in*the*red wrote:

5) We have a house and repayment mortgage - equity is about £85k

Put the mortgage onto an Interest-only basis - that'll likely save a goodly amount...

Good luck

H

in*the*red_6

h4nym wrote:

Put the mortgage onto an Interest-only basis - that'll likely save a goodly amount...

Good luck

H

Is this a good idea??? I asked about it on the phone and I can do it, they'll charge me £50 for the privelege and more than likely charge me again to revert it to repayment. The idea scares me TBH - I guess I'm indoctrinated that you shouldn't mess about with your mortgage.

Also, there is a possibility of having a lodger for 2 or 3 months, does anyone know what the going rate is for a large room, bills included etc??

john_kent

Cut up the Cards. Dont live of them as things will get worse.

have a look at the yearly expenses and see if you can schedule them fo rthe two months you have no Council tax or Water Rates. I pay my TV Licence in March.

Shop for food when youve eaten. Proven fact that hungary people buy more food.

Pet Insurance. I dont bother. PDSA have helped me out once in past and I try to pop a few quid in their charity boxes.

Look at an all in one package from Telewest or NTL for phone broadband and TV in your area. If they are not available , look at a package for phone , line rental and broadband form someone like Talk Talk.

Sky (if you decided to keep) will instantly chop price in half. If youhave movies , look at stopping those and subscribe to some of the many free DVD rental services. the ones wher eyou get three months movie rental for price of one . then cancel.

Also , keep a diary an dreceipts for everything you buy. I did so and was amazed how many papers and pick me ups (sweets etc) I bought . easily £25 a week.

The recipes on this board for cheap tasty food are superb. I even made my own fudge the other week. I didnt think it was possible , but I can liv eon less then £20 a week on food. I ahve also bulk bought all the stuff we cnat eat like toothpaste and washing powder . I find food doenst last even if bulk bought.

Do an audit of all your cupboards and freezer. I bet you have tons of grub in there to save a weeks grocery shopping.

electricity is another thing you probably use a lot off but dont realise. Simle things like turning lights off , turn TV off and not on standby. Use washing line not spin dryer when weathe ris good.

Drive more economically. We all have bad habits . shop around for petrol and keep a note of all your journeys including destination and starting points. I have lowered my mileage from 350 Miles per week to 280 miles per week , simply by visiting inlaws for tea midweek rathe rthen on a sunday as I work local to them..

Its a lifestyle change. The next few months will cause arguments. My big tip , is to have cheap fun days out . My Girlfriend and I go for picnics in the Summer months and sometimes take my young nephews who love looking at nature and playing with a ball. They go home knackered to mum who is also happy.

best of luck and like many hear , it does look daunting now , but in a few months you will be so pleased you have tackled the problem.

I was in deep poo poo. Now I dont get letters from creditors , I have money in bank that have to survive on (160 quid until 29th) for food and petrol and emergancies.

When you dont have credit cards , you thimk more on what you spend on.

john

Quincifer

NTL have got some good deals on at the moment, you could get a joint package for landline phone, broadband and sky(or whatever their satellite package is). At least downgrade your sky, the basics is like only £15/16
xxx

moggins

You could easily cut £50 off that food bill just by popping over to the old style board.

I agree with ringing Sky too, loads of people have done this and got their monthly bill reduced without losing any of the channels.