My SOA - what do I do now?

happymoneysaver79

Arwen wrote: »

If you can't commit to anything on a regular basis, have you thought about being a carer/support worker for old people or people with special needs? This is my 2nd job, cos I can't do regular hours, but you can do it on a part time/sessional basis around your husbands shifts.

You get training to do it,if you can drive or have use of a car it does give you more flexibility. I have been doing it a couple of years now, and I love it (after thinking I would never last the morning.:rotfl:). Ok it's not fabby pay,but could bring you in maybe £400-£500 a month.

The problem is (and sorry - don't want to come across as being negative about every suggestion) my OH literaly comes home from work and goes to sleep, gets up then goes to work so if I was working who could look after the kids? He is a long distance driver and can't risk being tired whilst driving because that puts others at risk. He earns fairly good money too, more than I could dream of earning so it kind of makes more sense for him to put in the overtime. I really wish I could work to contribute but as far as I see it it just complicates matters. Its more difficult I suppose because the kids are not in full time education.

happymoneysaver79

Verbatim wrote: »

Hi Again, Good Morning!
I have the virgin bundle and average around £36 a month but really notice that if I make many calls it racks up the costs quickly. I've seen ads for Virgin at £18 so might investigate that further then try to get them to put us on that by threatening to leave. We should be out of contract now.

Good luck with the CCCS appointment. Let us know how you get on.

Hi! thanks, thanks for checking in again - I appreciate it, at least I know I'm not on my own!
Just had the appointment and we can be debt free in just over 4 years. Not sure if we have set realistic repayments as it is still close to what we were paying before, might need to review the situation before we sign along the dotted line as we have no emergency fund but hopefully we can cut back even more and bring that date forward.
It just feels like such a big deal going on a dmp and I feel so stupid to have moved from a fantastic position moneywise to such a dire situation. I wish I could turn the clock back. I know what I will be using my spare cash on when I finish the dmp - a bl**dy holiday with the kids. We have never had one! I just feel so sorry for them in all of this.
Thanks again for your help x

happymoneysaver79

Verbatim wrote: »

Hi Again, Good Morning!
I have the virgin bundle and average around £36 a month but really notice that if I make many calls it racks up the costs quickly. I've seen ads for Virgin at £18 so might investigate that further then try to get them to put us on that by threatening to leave. We should be out of contract now.

Good luck with the CCCS appointment. Let us know how you get on.

I agree and becuse our bills are not itemised I don't know what I am paying for. I will give them a call too, let me know how you get on x

happymoneysaver79

Otherwise, is there any chance of a pay rise/changing job/working extra hours?
Believe it or not, just lately I have been working two jobs - one from 8.30am-4.30pm and then from 6-10pm. This meant I did not have a social life but in order to save up for a house deposit I was willing to do that! It was bringing in an extra 600 per month which is not to be sniffed at.
Could you do the same?[/QUOTE]

Hi!
its not the lack of social life:rotfl:. that i'm worried about. You don't have time for that with two kids under 3! My OH works very long hours - the maximum he can do, one weeks shift is never the same as the next meaning we never know where we are, he works earlies, lates and afters.
I would love to go and get a job, i'm by no means work shy, I just can't see how it can work......

Gorecki

"The virgin cable package is the minimum at around £23.00 but the phone calls always seem to bump this up. It is mainly calls to credit card companies and businesses. I am going to make an effort to reduce this."

You'll probably find all the credit card companies etc have premium rate numbers.

As you have the internet, go to the following site and search for those numbers to see if there are any alternative (normal landline) ones (there usually are):

(hmmm apparently as a new user I'm unable to post links... it is www (dot) saynoto0870 (dot) com
it's been advertised on this site before)

You can write them down beside your phone as they will be much cheaper/free to call.

Edit: Oh and re. your post above about ringing Virgin. If their policy is still the same, Virgin count changing a tariff as signing up for a new 12 month contract, so if you change anything on your existing package, check with the guy you ring if it means you have to extend your contract/how long.

happymoneysaver79

Gave virgin a call, told them I was unable to afford the amount I am paying so have offered me a £2.00 discount = £24 a year. Better than nothing I suppose. I am now paying £19.49 for 10mb broadband, Tv basic package and telephone calls, free local numbers anytime, 7p to mobiles, 10p to 0845 and 0870 numbers. My calls, bringing the bill up to £50 consisted mainly of 0870 numbers so I will take the advice given and say no to 0870 numbers!!!!

I will make a list and stick it by the phone so I have no excuse even when I'm in a hurry!!!

I have just reduced our boiler cover from £14.99 to £13.00 by switching to B gas from e.on a saving of almost another £2.00 = £24 a year.

So thats a saving of £48 for the year so far. Off to sort the insurance now!

Thanks for all your help x

Thanksx

Keeping_Positive

2 kids under 3 and a hubby working long hours must be tough. Since you are at home (and I not saying you dont have anything else todo!) why not focus a bit on the grocery budget. Check out the old style board for batch cooking and other money saving tips. Im sure even with the pets you could shave £50 a month, The monthky grocery challenge is a great thread on the Old Style board and has loads of recipes on it.

Good Luck

happymoneysaver79

Just back from the doctors and they are testing me for celiac (think thats how you spell it) disease. This is the third health problem since the start of the new year! I have also got IBS which she thinks has been aggrivated by stress (plenty of that here!). So things not great at the moment. Just had a thought last night about alternatives to the DMP, does anyone think we would get a loan to cover the current cc debt at a sensible rate? I don't know if that is a good idea, we certainly won't be racking the debt up with more credit cards in the future but we would really like to move house and I can't bear the thought of being stuck here for the next 6 years. Have you ever heard of anyone getting a mortgage deal after being on a DMP?
I'm so confused and don't really know what to do for the best!
I thought I had got it sorted after the call with cccs, now I don't know.

happymoneysaver79

Bump ******

happymoneysaver79

Could anyone please advise?