I can't see the wood for the trees

Skintorama

It is a Citroen Xsara Picasso, 2003 - he is 28, I don't drive, so insurance is only in his name. I have absolutely no clue why it is so high.

bargainbetty

This is going to sound mean, and I'm sorry, but you keep making excuses. We can't because of this, we won't because of that. You cannot afford your lifestyle. Deal with it and start making changes or your problems will continue.

From the cost of your travelcard, I'm guessing you are Zone 2 or 3? I live in Zone 4, there are several excellent nurseries near me (one literally next door to a station) and the rent on a decent sized two bed flat within walking distance of three different stations is £750 pm. We have parks, walks, green places, cafes, gyms etc - all quite lovely, but one helluva cheaper option, even after travel increases. Your daughter can settle into a new nursery in a new area - you are not bound by location unless you allow yourself to be.

With regard to the swimming lessons, explain that you are having to relocate and will not be able to use them. If there is no financial penalty, or better still if you can find a friend who would take them over for you, just do it.

You really, really need to get on that insurance - someone somewhere has desparately screwed up, and be sure to ask for a full refund on any over charges! If the car really does cost that much, then selling it and using the occasional cab for shopping might be better. If his is so high, do you have better no-claims? Females are often less 'death-risky' to insurance salesman than males, so consider swapping the car into your name and insuring it that way.

Call your phone provider today and ask for a better deal. Just do it, don't wait. Do it now. We'll wait. Will be here when you get back.....

Edit - just seen you post about driving. Oh well, worth a thought......

Good luck x

andys15

Skintorama wrote: »

3899

Telephone (land line)................... 25 - your combined communication charges are chronic - just shy of £2000 per year. You need to reduce this by two thirds (landline, internet and TV are bundled into a virgin package, will look to reduce package size)
Mobile phone............................ 100 (high, I know - looking to reduce) - reduce the packages immediately and look to PAYG (the package cost is only £30, but with extra charges for mainly calling expensive rate lines such as utilities companies to sort out various stuff such as overcharges, errors on their part etc ett the bills go higher - will leave these kind of calls to evenings and weekends from the landline)


I dont understand this. You spend £70 each month calling utilities etc, and use your mobile to dial 0800 numbers. You have a landline. Why do you use your mobile to phone these companies. It jst makes no sense to me what so ever. Something is drastically up with your car insurance. Either your OH is telling porkies or you are seriously naive to accept this. Your willingness to waste so much money on telephone calls is unbelievable too. A teenager tearaway spotty 17 year old with 3 points on his licence, could get it cheaper.

RAS

In the very short-term.

Start looking for a kiddie back carrier.

When does the outstanding utility balance finish?

Go over to the money saving old style forum and ask them to help you with meal-plan that suits all three of you.

For the rest of this mont, do s storecupboard challenge - list the contents of the cupbaords, fridge and freezer and work out how to spend as little as possible extra. You need to do this anyway if you are moving so use the opportunity to save some money and pay some debt off.

Talk to OH about moving to a cheaper area.

Do either of you have an orange contract - Orange Wednesdays.?

Have a ferret on the freebies forums here for cheap and free entertainment offers.

Skintorama

You know what - I just did a search for car insurance, with my parents address (only to see if it made a difference - I don't intend on using it) and the cost came waaaaay down, like by 50%. The reason we live where we do is because we wanted to be close to our friends; easy access for support and socialising (i.e. glass of wine at their or our place, no galavanting!) and we really wanted to avoid moving her from the nursery she is at, but maybe it is an inevitability. Husband and I are due to sit down and go through everything with a fine toothed comb.

I appreciate that regarding the car I'm not budging much, but I am a full time working mum, husband works full time, and the small amount of time we do have to do things such as shopping and visiting family is very valuable. I am more than willing to do the short term pain for long term gain thing, cutting costs where we can - but this, I think, is a necessity - I just need to get this damn insurance down! With regards to the flat, we shall see, if it just isn't going to happen then relocation may need to be considered.

Skintorama

andys15 wrote: »

Skintorama wrote: »

3899

Telephone (land line)................... 25 - your combined communication charges are chronic - just shy of £2000 per year. You need to reduce this by two thirds (landline, internet and TV are bundled into a virgin package, will look to reduce package size)
Mobile phone............................ 100 (high, I know - looking to reduce) - reduce the packages immediately and look to PAYG (the package cost is only £30, but with extra charges for mainly calling expensive rate lines such as utilities companies to sort out various stuff such as overcharges, errors on their part etc ett the bills go higher - will leave these kind of calls to evenings and weekends from the landline)


I dont understand this. You spend £70 each month calling utilities etc, and use your mobile to dial 0800 numbers. You have a landline. Why do you use your mobile to phone these companies. It jst makes no sense to me what so ever. Something is drastically up with your car insurance. Either your OH is telling porkies or you are seriously naive to accept this. Your willingness to waste so much money on telephone calls is unbelievable too. A teenager tearaway spotty 17 year old with 3 points on his licence, could get it cheaper.

No, I don't spend £70 on calling utilities, my half of the mobile bill comes to about 45 to £50 (the package being £35), so the 10-15 extra is partially due to these calls. The remainder is my husband's and I need to have a word to reduce. Apologies if I was a little unclear.

RAS

Skintorama wrote: »

I appreciate that regarding the car I'm not budging much, but I am a full time working mum, husband works full time, and the small amount of time we do have to do things such as shopping and visiting family is very valuable. I am more than willing to do the short term pain for long term gain thing, cutting costs where we can - but this, I think, is a necessity -

At the risk of sounding like a broken record - I am not suggesting give up travelling by car in certain situations.

I am suggesting that local taxis for shopping and the like and hire cars on holiday would be way way cheaper than you running the car given where you currently live.

An a hell of a lot less hassle. No insurance to arrange, no parking nightmares, no tax to panic about.

Do you even know about car clubs, for instance?

katsu

If you say your holiday is going to be visiting family, where is the £30pcm in your SOA going?

Did you look at your actual spending to draw up your SOA? \i just ask as, as you are not making the emergency fund saving currently, I wondered if a spending diary would help you see where your figures are a bit out.

DarkConvict

Would it be cheaper to hire an in house nanny rather than pay over £800 a month in childcare? That is alot for 1 child.

Skintorama

katsu wrote: »

If you say your holiday is going to be visiting family, where is the £30pcm in your SOA going?

Did you look at your actual spending to draw up your SOA? \i just ask as, as you are not making the emergency fund saving currently, I wondered if a spending diary would help you see where your figures are a bit out.

I thought the emergency fund was supposed to be a contingency? If not then it should be removed. I did refer to my budget when creating it, yes - but mayeb a diary is a good idea.

With regards to the £30 pcm, this could come down - it basically covers the travel costs to get there and back (i.e. fuel - 600 miles round trip plus driving whilst there, plus any (cheap) activities when we are there x 2 times per year).