It's time to kick some... booty: SOA Included!

JetStream

I really need to check this insurance thing...

On a side note, my gas and electric bill came today, and they've reduced the monthly DD to £80 (saving £67 a month!), and in two months time we'll receive the £100 discount having had the monthly DD for a year.

gonzo127

wow you are doing really well with getting things sorted,

i bet you have already started looking at what you was like last month and think my god how much money was i wasting on nothing!

daviesalie_2

I can't recommend the snowball calculator enough (link in post no. 14). It'll give you the number of months it'll take you to clear your debts and its a great incentive and motivator. Set yourself a monthly amount to pay off your cards, pay the minimum payments on your lowest interest cards and pay the rest off your highest interest card. Update each month with the payments you've made and the interest that's been added. Mine certainly keeps me motivated. You'll need to be accurate so get all your statements and find out the interest rates and minimum payment %.

I'm in a similar situation to you, near enough same income and debt. I'm a single mother of 3 and my grocery bill per month is £275 (works out at £63 a week) which includes nappies, formula milk, etc. I shop in Farmfoods, Aldi, Lidl and only venture to Tescos to buy formula milk and I only do that when I'm passing to save on petrol, so I'm living proof that its doable. The key is to cook from scratch, especially things like cakes, they're so cheap to make at home.

I started off with an ok budget, but as the weeks have gone on and I've learned more tricks, mostly from the old style board, I've managed to cut it even more.

I'd definitely look into the buildings insurance, you shouldn't be paying it if you're renting.

Another saving you could make is your sky/cable tv - if its sky I know you can cancel and still get the free channels through the sky box (I've done it) - not sure if it works the same with cable though.

I'd also recommend having an emergency saving fund, save maybe about £30 a month, just as a back up if the car breaks down or the fridge packs in, that way you won't have to rely on your credit cards again. Its also a great feeling to know its there.

Good luck and keep posting to let us know how you're getting on.

TotallyBroke

JetStream wrote: »

Totally Broke: The cakes/crisps typically last the two of us just under 3 weeks - usually the shopping bill was £20 less than the £110 above! Thanks for recommending Wilkinson's - will stop there this weekend for a looksie!

JS

It doesn't matter how long they last you they are a waste of money and not needed. You spent over £20 on cakes etc, £43 on what I would call proper food and £26 on stuff that can be bought cheaper or made yourself for a lot cheaper.

You can make your own crisps in about 5mins, it takes 15 seconds to fry them. You could do parsnip or apple if you want something with flavour.
You can make flapjacks as a treat very simply.

I suggest buying a whole chicken as well instead of breast. You roast it up and then pick it completely to pieces, those bits can then be frozen and then added into pies, stews, curries etc. You could get 3 or 4 meals from one chicken, especially if you bulk out with vegetables and beans and pulses.