Can I shave any more off my SOA?

black-saturn

I'm with British Gas on both the gas and electric if that helps. I did swap to Atlantic for a while but I found them double the expense.

john_kent

serously look at the packahed deals for hone and broadband. i am on Talk Talk fro the free international calls. Dont need the broadband , but its there if needed. My bill is £23 a month a lot les then before

WestieFan

Thanks for reply black-saturn.
I am with Scottish Power for both. Gas cooking and gas central heating which I use sparingly but can't figure why my electricity is so high. I have been watching prices but as soon as I decide to move, the company I decide on puts its prices up too! It's a real merry-go-round.

I seem to spend my time switching things off but my bill just keeps going up.

Good luck with your saving for the wedding. I have no doubt you will do it!

giggs11

black-saturn wrote:

I'm not in debt but I'm hoping you can help me shave some more off of my SOA as I am saving for a wedding. All useful posts will be thanked :j

Income (monthly)

Earnings - £538.12
Child Benefit - £116.60
Money for being a lone parent on a course - £9.00

Total - £663.62

Outgoings Monthly

Internet - £17.99 - Wanadoo Broadband
BT Phone Bill - £17.00 - Option 2
Sky TV - £20.00 - Basic Package (unable to get Freeview in this area and Terrestrial TV is a really bad reception)
TV Licence - £10.99
Water - £16.26
Gas - £19.00
Electric - £13.00
Council Tax - £38.00
Food, loo rolls, toiletries - £45
Dog Expenses - £2.00
School Money - £8.00
Travel - £52.00 - Sometimes I can get a £10 return ticket
Mobile Phone - £7.00 - averages out at thatish
Correspondence Course - £43.00
Birthdays/Christmas/Others - £10.00
Days out with kids in holidays - £40.00

Total Outgoings - £359.24

i notice that your earnings are actually LESS than the amount you would have if you were on income support (£542.84 every 4 weeks) yet you are having to pay for your council tax. have you applied for council tax benefit??? in fact you would probably be better off on income support as you'd then get free prescriptions, dental, school meals etc which would help you out a lot.

fannyadams

Am I the only one who's gonna say:
Congratulations on your engagement Black-Saturn! :j

I had to read the whole thread to work out that it was your own wedding that you are saving for.
Congratualtions on finding someone special!
I am certain that you would be able to find the money and I think it's lovely that you are taking the family away to celebrate.

:T

black-saturn

giggs11 wrote:

i notice that your earnings are actually LESS than the amount you would have if you were on income support (£542.84 every 4 weeks) yet you are having to pay for your council tax. have you applied for council tax benefit??? in fact you would probably be better off on income support as you'd then get free prescriptions, dental, school meals etc which would help you out a lot.

Well yes I WAS on income support but I stupidly kept listening to everyone saying I was a burden to the state etc etc so I got myself a job. Now I'm worse off than I was when I was on IS. I'll give it 2 more months and if it's no good I will give it up.

petunia_2

your money saving skills are pretty awesome, but isn't it sad that the way things often work out with low wages and trying to afford to study, the only way to survive is to go back onto income support?

i'm on it myself and i hate having to choose between surviving and having the self-esteem and pride that earning my own money gives me! i hope your success in raising your family, helping all the money savers out and planning a wedding keeps you feeling fulfilled if you have to go back onto income support!

black-saturn

petunia wrote:

your money saving skills are pretty awesome, but isn't it sad that the way things often work out with low wages and trying to afford to study, the only way to survive is to go back onto income support?

i'm on it myself and i hate having to choose between surviving and having the self-esteem and pride that earning my own money gives me! i hope your success in raising your family, helping all the money savers out and planning a wedding keeps you feeling fulfilled if you have to go back onto income support!

Thankyou, you just received your first thanks.

Toomuchdebt

giggs11 wrote:

i notice that your earnings are actually LESS than the amount you would have if you were on income support (£542.84 every 4 weeks) yet you are having to pay for your council tax. have you applied for council tax benefit??? in fact you would probably be better off on income support as you'd then get free prescriptions, dental, school meals etc which would help you out a lot.

I'm not sure how you work out that income support would be that much every 4 weeks.I am on income support with 4 children and I get £57.45 a week.The bulk of my benefits is Child Tax Credit.

I am going to look at black saturn's meal threads now as I could certainly use a little help there-lol

kessik

Hi B-S
I read a lot of your posts and am admiring of the way you handle your finances. All I want to say is, you spend very little already and obviously have masses of self-discipline and will power but don't risk losing some of the fun and colour in life in your aim to shave your outgoings. I don't mean this in a bad way and I'm certainly not suggesting you lead a joyless existence so please don't be offended. What I'm trying to say, and being clumsy about it, is even the best money savers have to have some laughs in life so don't give up all your pleasures!!