Keeping down spending on "stuff"

lisa_75

calleyw wrote:

I have not been around much due to work and study commitments.

Have you done a Statement Of affairs so we can see where the money is going. If you have sorry I missed it and if not why not.

I will do a SOA tonight when the rugrats have gone to bed. Is there anywhere on the site that shows you how to do one?

newleaf

Yes Lisa, it's here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280
Good luck.

LookingAhead

:T Hooray nice one lisa. That's the spirit. Really positive news from you which was great to read.

lisa_75

Monthly Incomings

Partner’s salary 1450
Student Loan 240 (it works out more per month, but this is what I have left per month till I get my next payment)
Child Benefit 116

TOTAL 1806

Outgoings

Rent 320
Council tax 67
Water 20
Gas 25
Electric 25
Phone/broadband/TV combined package 120
Petrol 160
Car insurance 36
House insurance 13
Tuition fees 20
Groceries 200
Childcare (average per month over a year) 58
Car running costs (tax/MOT/repairs) 40
TV Licence 11

TOTAL 1090



Debt repayments

Halifax credit card 25
Littlewoods Visa 21
LxDirect 20
Black Horse loans 60
Next 10
Capital One 10
Barclaycard 10
Abound 10
Simply Be 10
Car loan 75
HFC loan 30
Kays 90

TOTAL 371

TOTAL OUTGOINGS 1461


TOTAL left over for clothes/entertainment/gifts/emergencies 345


Money owed

Halifax credit card 771.11
Littlewoods Visa 449.37
LxDirect 888.56
Black Horse loans 720
Next 90
Capital One 87
Barclaycard 224.03
Abound 164.77
Simply Be 134.12
Car loan 1950
HFC loan 720
Kays 1800
Overdraft 1250 (not paying it off at moment as interest free as I am a student)

TOTAL DEBT 9248.96

There is also my student loan, but I did not know where to put this as I am not paying it off. At the moment I owe about £9000, that will increase to £13000 as I am taking a loan out this year too,

Mrs_Arkwright

Your tv/broadband/phone is massive. Have you looked into changing that?

lisa_75

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

Your tv/broadband/phone is massive. Have you looked into changing that?

I know. We are on 10mb broadband, which hubby is reluctant to change. We also have a HD subscription which we are tied into at the moment.

I will talk to hubby about the broadband and tv. He does not have anything to do with the finances and has his head in the sand at the moment. He says the net and the TV are his only pleasure (since we stopped going out so much).

bobsa1

Lisa well done for being so positive today! I think it is really hard accepting that things have to change & you have done that really well.

I know you say you can't drive but if you are in or near a sure start area most of thie activites for kids are free. I'm using sure start activities to save a fortune over the holidays (a tip off this site) Have a browse on this site everyday and start saving coupons etc for money off your shopping.

I've got to admit I don't menu plan (shame on me!) but I do cook a lot from fresh and look for bargains.

Today I got some free sun cream (sun coupon) saved p & p from next etc. all tips from this board. Every little bit helps and I know you can do it.

i'm in the position where everyone thinks we are well off (we aren't) but I just smile and keep the truth to myself.I'd be amazed if your friend can actually afford to spend £150 on presents. These things often just escalate out of control

Mrs_Arkwright

Well, this is probably going to sound harsh, but he either wants to sort out your debt problems or he doesn't. And if he does, then he's going to have to make some sacrifices, same as the rest of the family is i.e. the expensive gifts etc. You obviously feel that you can't carry on spending as you have, or else you wouldn't have come here. There are many ways you can save money - have a look on the Money Saving Old Style board for a good start - but you and he need to help yourselves before anyone else can, and that might mean making some changes.

Again, sorry to sound harsh, it is meant in good faith, and I hope you can sort things out.

nearlyrich

As you are a student you might be entitled to a 25% reduction in council tax because your OH is the only adult in the household, it's worth checking.

I am one of a big family and we always used to spend a fortune on Christmas and birthdays and no-one really had anything worth having so we decided to buy birthday and christmas presents for the children( nieces and nephews) and christmas presents for adults without children, we set a limit of around £15 per gift. We only buy adult birthday presents for "big" birthdays 30,40 etc and we all club together and spend £10 per sibling so the recipient gets something worth having without costing anyone a lot.

I buy cards from the local market, they are really good quality for about half the price of the high street and the owner of the stall gives me discount because I buy so many.

Hope this helps a little.

lisa_75

nearlyrich wrote:

As you are a student you might be entitled to a 25% reduction in council tax because your OH is the only adult in the household, it's worth checking.


.

Thanks. The £67 is with the 25% student discount we get.