21 and in a complete mess : ( !!

Bargain_Rzl

I agree that Portsmouth is a bit far out, and that you can't put your parents' life on hold just so you can get out of debt ... also IMHO a commute of more than an hour door-to-door each way is not the recipe for a happy life! ... Try the cycling thing (whereabouts do you live and work?) - the other bonus of this would be free exercise! - and also, have you thought about a part-time job in a bar in the evenings? You'd be getting paid for having a social life! ... I considered doing this once, when I was the same age as you and had recently moved to London on a very limited income - but luckily in my case an opportunity came up for a second job doing something I love (and I'm still doing it now! )

Glitterari

I'm from Portsmouth, now living in London too! Whereabouts in Pompey you from?

Are you renting on your own at the moment or are you in a house/flat share? If you're sharing you should be able to find alot cheaper accommodation in London than what you're paying currently. Have a look at https://www.easyroommate.com or https://www.gumtree.com

C xxx

Glitterari

Also, what about bussing to work if you're too wobbly on bike? it's a fair bit cheaper than the tube and I actually prefer it as you get to see more of London. Also, what about over line trains? Don't know whereabouts you are but there is limited over line train services available and this way might work out cheaper.

C xx

Bargain_Rzl

Glitterari wrote:

Also, what about bussing to work if you're too wobbly on bike?

But the more she uses the bike, the less wobbly she'll be ... She can start off by cycling in her local park and build up the confidence to enable her to cycle to work every day ... Can you tell I'm trying to talk MYSELF into this too? (I haven't owned a bike since age 16, and the last time I rode one I had an accident, that was 5 years ago and I'm a bit phobic now, but determined to get back in the saddle )

MinnieSpender

Good advice on here for you already.

I would certainly consider finding cheaper accommodation, but you have to weigh it up - if you're too far out because it's cheaper, are you going to be paying more on travel?

I can also see that moving home, while good for the finances, might not do your career much good. Is your job likely to lead somewhere with higher pay? If it is, then I'd stick with it.

Extra money making is a good option. Check out the various threads on mystery shopping, focus groups (I earned £45 a couple of weeks ago for talking about shopping for two hours), maybe even a couple of evenings/weekends in a bar or restaurant (pick a swanky one where you'll get plenty of tips, mind).

Could the bf come and see you sometimes to cut your travel costs? And maybe take you out for dinner?

Good luck! x

Glitterari

Well you go girl!

I got on the bike for the 1st time in about 12 years on my OH's birthday last year (don't know why!)

OMG I was terrified! But you do pick it up (the balancing act) again really quickl, however, I am significantly less fitter now than I was 12 or 13 years ago...

yeslek

what are the interest rates on your loans an cards?

might be worth balance transferring for a 0% for xxx months

TrickyDicky

DanniL_2006 wrote:

Yeah my travel is a lot but i live in london so spend £86 a month on a travel pass and the rest is travelling to see my boyfriend and parents who live about an hour or so away.

Could you not get your boyfriend to come and see you, rather than you go and see him? And do you need to see your parents so regularly (not being harsh, but if you're beying return train tickets it might save a few ££/month?)

Glitterari

MEGABUS & MEGATRAIN - services between London and Portsmouth regularly - if you book well enough in advance you can get tickets for as little as £1 each way. Megatrain is a new service and when I last looked only ran between London and Portsmouth and London and Southampton.

C x

bobbadog

Hi Danni

I live in London too - but am trying to do it as cheaply as possible. I have moved out to zone 3 (which makes it, strangely, quicker to get to work in Central London via overground than it ever did on the underground), I asked my employer to give me a Season Ticket loan which works out at 86 a month instead of 99, straight from my wages - same as it was in Zone 2. My rent is faaaar cheaper, and nightbuses to our house are strangely much more frequent than they were more in town. Would your employer give you a Season Ticket Loan? Could shave at least £10 a month off your travelcard.

When going home and seeing your boyfriend, is it possible at all for you to use the coaches? GoByCoach.com - Megabus do the £1 fares if you book far enough in advance. Hope you have a YounG persons railcard if you rely on trains a lot? Worth checking gumtree for lifts occasionally too

xx