Help! Need more ideas

PigginSkint

Hi All

I am a newbie here. I shall be doing an SOA as suggested (which will take a bit of working out) but in the meantime I could really do with some more ideas how to save money in order to tackle my debts – briefly mortgage c£31, loans c£18K, credit cards c£23K, OD £5K.

I am already saving money in a number of ways – I sold my car last year (not for very much but it was sucking money out of my bank account), I take a packed lunch to work, I shop cheaply (markets for veg, Aldi, cheap stuff from Asda and Sainsburys), we hardly ever go out, I am gradually replacing my lightbulbs with energy saving ones, I swapped gas and leccy suppliers (ages ago now but still a good deal), OH and I both quit smoking, hardly ever use the bus (I walk or cycle instead), we go camping for our holidays (as cheaply as possible), I am gradually moving my credit card balances onto (preferably) low APR life of balance cards (and not spending on the same ones!) or to 0% temp. deals as a stopgap, I have cancelled some PPI and plan to do the others, I haven’t been to the hairdressers in at least 2 years (cut my own fringe and get OH to cut some of the length when it gets straggly!).

Currently the situation is not as bad as it could be as I am still just about managing the repayments (albeit barely above the minimum) and OH does contribute as much as he can, bless his heart, but he is an actor so his income varies month by month so I am always worrying (I’m a born worrier, me!) that there won’t be enough to cover everything. Also we still find ourselves having to resort to the flexible friend on occasion and I would really like to make a serious dent in the debt!!

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

PigginSkint

melt71

It sounds like you are doing mostly all you can to reduce your debts spending wise, your SOA will tell the bigger picture though.

Have you thought about getting a second job or for your OH to temp when he isn't working as an actor. Most actors have to work as well, it's a standing joke that all the waiters in hollywood are 'actors' even though most of them have never had a part in their life! As you say, it's a variable income and even when he is doing really well this wouldn't change so maybe he could do something else (casual) that would not affect his acting?

Also, could you possible work extra hours or in additional casual work.

Have you worked out a payment plan? It would be good to try to figure out what you would ideally like to pay each month, although I realise that may be difficult with your OH's income...

Sorry I can't be more help. I'm sure there will be other suggestions to follow though.

EagerLearner

Hi Pigginskint - first suggestion would be that you join Quidco.com and pigsback.co.uk as they can earn you good money each month, for the things you would have bought anyway.

Can you sell anything on E-bay?

Sounds like you're already as close as you can be to the budget line, any chance you can get a better paying or a 2nd job? Sometimes asking for a raise in your current job works, although make sure your boss is in a good mood and explain all the reasons you deserve the raise rather than hinting it's because you are in debt.

Good luck hun!

redballoon_2

Also join up to free fivers, you can get free money by not spending anything. do a search on this site for "freefivers" and it will tell you all about it. Also check out rpoints.
You could also sign up to do mystery shopping

LookingAhead

Corrrr, you are doing loads already! Get your SOA up as soon as possible though....

Queen.Bess

As well as ebay, have you got any old mobile phones lying around not being used anymore? Sell them on mopay and you may well get a good price for them, and they give money to childline too!

PigginSkint

thanks for all your suggestions! I've a few other things to work on now!

Sorry - I should have said I already have a 2nd job - I am an Avon lady. OH also does other work if necessary - luckily it hasn't happened for a while as he has a lot of work on already. Recently he has been regularly having stretches of 14 days work without a break and I don't want him to get ill by doing too much (it has happened in the past)

Re Queen.Bess's idea re mobile phones - I do have 2 old mobile phones lurking around the house but the reason I replaced them is because they have gone to mobile phone heaven!

I have not yet taken the plunge of selling anything on ebay - although I am registered. It seems a bit scary as I have heard a few stories of it going wrong!

Re EagerEarner's suggestion about asking for a raise - no can do I am afraid as I work for a University and there are strict procedures about these things! having said that we are getting a 1% raise from the 1st August (for reasons that are too boring to go into) plus we will get a cost of living raise before the end of the year - don't know how much that will be yet but last year it was 3%.

Thanks all! If there are any other ideas out there I would be glad to hear them!