MY SOA -your comments and suggestions please.

poppy_f1

by cancelling sky get a freeview box, think you still get some of the kids channels on that
also think about ebaying or car boot sales for some of the stuff the kids dont wear or play with any more or even things like books or dvds you dont watch/read yourself

you dont mention mobile phones? if you have these think about switching to pay as you go
also

regularsaver1

yeah my freeview box was £32 in asda

Steve1963

Thanks again.

we can't get freeview in this area yet but will still have free to air channels via the sky box.

I have a mobile phone through work, my wifes is PAYG and hardly ever used.

Steve

northern_star

If your 10 yo is worried about losing films with the cancellation of Sky - why not have a 'cinema night' once a week with a rented DVD and popcorn/sweets?
We do this and the total cost is about 1.75 - 2.00 (compare that with taking your family to the cinema or the cost of Sky).
We rent the DVD from our local library and get to keep it for a week (which means that if the planned 'cinema night' gets delayed we do it on another day).
It's something to look forward to and something to do together - when movies are 'on tap' you often find individual family members sat watching them on their own.

I know you have an uphill struggle at present but keep posting and the help/advice will be worthwhile.

seven-day-weekend

Well done for tackling your problem Steve and good news about the three years!

MrsTinks

Or what about the DVD rental trials there are loads of threads baout those and don't forget to quidco it and get cash back!!
Charity: it starts at home! If you want to make a REAL difference then give some of your time! There is red cross, st john, animal shelters etc. Bet you it will be much more satisfying to take the kids with you say to an animal shelter and teach them about the animals and letting them help you walk some of the dogs. If you speak to the shelter then most are very helpful in letting you educate your kids by letting them help out...
Your childrens savings... I got £2k when I turned 18 and splashed out on a new computer. Don't get me wrong it was well used and loved for nearly 5 years but I could have bought cheaper and saved... if you realy want to give them something for the future then give them an education in how to budget and control their finances. Worth hundreds of thousands more I think
Ebay anything you don't use any more or do a carboot Use the money to pay off the cards with the highest APR first
OS... you can't beat it! And frankly it's healthier for your kids to not walk around in an environment soaked in various chemicals if you think about it