How can we cut back!?

pinkcheshirecat

Knowing what you mean about Warrington and Stockton Heath, I can see that you need the car and about the rents being higher there.

If you are 21 wks pg, has the midwife mentioned the Health in Pregnancy Grant. This is payable from 25wks pg. As you're obviously surviving on little in terms of your food budget I'd think that you might qualify for this (if not everyone does if you see what I mean) that could be £190, which might really help you out.(Sorry, just re-read one your posts and see you've had this mentioned)

I think that there are people on the boards who have been in very difficult situations who find it very difficult to understand how you can justify things as essentials which they see as luxuries.

From an average persons point of view, you seem to be aware of the major things that you can do to reduce your outgoings. If you aren't working then take the time if you haven't already to make a list of the contracts that you have and the dates that you can reduce the monthly payments or switch providers, do your research now so that you don't lose track of them once the baby is born, believe me it's very easy to do when you've been awake half the night. (Been there twice!)

Start looking at the car insurance online now if you have access to the internet during the evenings when your hubby is at work, July isn't so far away, you might get an idea of who would be reasonable for you.

It's worth looking at quidco or some of the other cashback sites, they aren't always cheaper but if you're planning to switch anyway then you might get an unexpected bonus. (For things like utilities, car insurance and even online shopping)

I know that this won't be a very popular view, but it is only money at the end of the day, try to concentrate on having a healthy and happy baby!

Good Luck
Cheshire
x

stephbond89

Thank you!
Yes I have been told about the health in pregnancy grant, and i am getting the form hopefully soon from my midwife!!! Although I am not so sure how I go about getting it from them...Im not seeing the midwife for another few weeks yet!!! I think I will phone them up tomorrow lol! It really will come in handy, the dfact we have all the baby things already means it can go along way to pay off some bills!!!

Yes this is pretty much the cheapest part of the town we can live in where we are, the only cheaper properties are council (whcih we tried to put our name on the list for, but were told we would never get a house with them as we'd be classed as Band D so everyone else would be above us), or tiny flats where we have lived before and hated (3 stories with no lift and no air con in the summer living next to a busy railway!! horrible!! lol).

Plus we're happy with our landlord, happy with our rent, happy with the house, and happy with where it is in relation to the town centre, we have a shop 2 seconds walk away and the hospital isnt far for when I go into labour!!! Id only move if it would be a significant change in rent and insurance etc.

I have made a note of all the contracts and when they can be renewed and lowered The phone ones have only just been done, but the virgin one will be coming up ina couple of months!

I have a budget spreadsheet where I can put our income of that month and can see exactly what is giong out and exactly what I ahve left, so we're not left in the lurch or forgetting something which then unexpectedly goes out of the bank!!!! So I do have it all under control, which may not have come across in this thread really, its under control and we're coping, would just love if we had some money left for US at the end of the day, and worried a little about this election and about the tax credits been lowered (or even abolished) and messing us up even more when the baby comes as our income now will not stretch to accomodate a baby too, and we'd definitely end up in a worse off position as I would always put the babies cleanliness and feeds before the bills- which many people I suppose will pull their noses up at, but thats the way I am. I dont care if I dont eat one month, but my baby will always come first, so hopefully it wont change tooo dramaticallY!

Thank you xx

lisawal1971

Hi Steph, just wanted to say good luck with the pregnancy and baby. It looks like you have taken on board all of the advice and will look at tv/ phones etc when you can. I would agree, have a good hunt around for insurance deals as it will make a big difference.
I think you should be quite proud of what you are doing - your partner is working long hours to provide for you and your up coming baby, he could have just joined many people and sat around on benefits. Your baby will now know be brought up knowing that hard work is important and with a strong work ethic.
The little bit extra you get will cover the things for the baby and no doubt there will be unlimited love!
Things will get better, you are just starting out and income will go up, you will be be able to work part time at some point in the future and then you can start up the savings. Believe me, I have been there!

It sounds as if you can go to your family for a much needed holiday/ break later this year as they live in a nice area, that will help and will be great family time.

I would agree with others, keep looking out for the paper rounds, babysitting, ironing, home based jobs (avon, betterware?) and the small amounts will add up. I think the person who mentioned competitions had a great idea, it's not an way to earn an income but if you have some time on your hands while you are pregnant why not give it a go.

You could try setting up and writing a blog on line, sometimes these get popular and then you can earn a few pennies/ pounds by putting google ads on the site - pregnancy/ baby ones tend to be quite popular .

So, good luck!

Lisa

thumshie

Steph,

First and foremost ...Congrats.. Secondly I'd post on the DFW forum http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76. you'll may find the regulars there less harsh than some on the general board here, but I may be wrong

As you say things in contract - where you can't downgrade currently you'd be best to look now at when you can and plan for when you can, and jot down dates so you do them when you can. Some mobile phone/Broadband companies allow you to downgrade 1 level each month after 1/2 you contract is through..When/how long/which network are these contracts-some posters might be able to advise of the relevant T&C's, though I'm sure you've checked.

apart from existing advice - paper round/moped/mystery shopper -the only things I can suggest is car boot sale/ebay items not required - this will bring in money now, to pay back loans, saving interest.. Mobile Phones can sell well, if you have your old phones you could consider selling the 'new' models and going back to old handsets -after all they'll still txt/call.

As has been mentioned if you can get a 0% Credit card for purchases(Virgin/Tesco) this can help you get out your Overdraft and save you any fees your picking up there, alternatively you could transfer your current account to one of the banks offering 0% OD.

Also, as for rail card, you wouldn't need one, children under 5 are free-in fact you need a child of 5+ to be eligible for a family rail card http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/eligibility

stephbond89

thumshie wrote: »

Also, as for rail card, you wouldn't need one, children under 5 are free-in fact you need a child of 5+ to be eligible for a family rail card http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/eligibility

I've looked into it and it will save us LOTS of money lol, it is around £18 for a return to my parents, meaning it is a lot cheaper in petrol, with the rail card it is more than halved as its a long journey, you can use it when you dont have a child with you (especially as we'd be putting my brother onto it too for no extra cost as he is 14 and often travels with us), but if you are travelling without a child or with a child under 5 years, you have to pay as though the child is 5 or as if you have a 5 year old with you, which still works out much cheaper. So we'd be putting my brother on as the "child", but he would only be traveling with us every so often, but according to what I read last time (unless it has recently changed), we can still use it, but just have to pay as though there is a child.

But the savings are huge for going to my parents and makes it much cheaper than the car to go there, also to places like manchester and liverpool where you pay over £5 for 2 hours parking, and around £10 in petrol, it works out much less then too!

On Failing that, I would get me and my hubby young persons rail cards as I am 21 and he is 22, so we should be eligible...

Thanks though! xx

thumshie

Just did a quick look and your right, if the only child travelling is under 5 you have to pay for a child, however I believe there MUST be a child travelling with you..http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/buy-family-friends-railcard/railcard-terms-conditions

To use your Family & Friends Railcard, your group must contain at least one named cardholder and at least one child aged between 5 and 15 years. The maximum group size is up to four adults (aged 16 years and over) including the named cardholder(s), and four children (aged 5-15 years). Don’t forget children under five travel free and each adult may take up to two “under fives” with them.

If the only child in the Family & Friends Railcard group is aged less than five years of age, the Railcard holder must purchase a discounted ticket for that child in order for the accompanying adult(s) to qualify for the discount on their tickets.

Take it your saw the 'offer' for the rail card, better act quick!!!:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-coach-train-ticket-deals

Get a free two-month family and friends railcard when you register on the Daily Mail offer page. It's only available online until Fri 7 May, so get in quick - it's a good deal as the railcard’s usually £26 for a year at full price, and it’ll save you a third on adult fares and 60% on child fares.

You’ll get the card in the post, plus an online code for 50% off a one-year family and friends railcard, valid from Mon 5 Jul – Sun 1 Aug. Up to four adults and four kids can travel on one card, with the named cardholder and at least one child required. The railcard isn’t transferrable. See full terms.

stephbond89

Thanks for that!!! Just got it on time I think lol! and the 50% off will come in VERY handy when I buy the first one, £13 for a year pass will be a massive saving!!!

Thank you again for that!!!!

Yes we will have a child with us all the time, whether my brother or the baby once he or she comes along- so we can take advantage of it as much as we can!! And it saves loads on petrol costs, especially with them rising as they do, the cost of petrol to get to my parents has gone for £10 per trip to £15-£20 per trip!!! Then we have parking costs once we're there, and the worry of it not making it, as I have said before its 15 years old and although reliable at the moment, the long trips won't be doing it much good!!!!! lol

So thank you again!!!

Tamsin_Temrin

Just passing through - do more lurking than posting.

OP - have a look on the Debt Free Wannabe Boards. Just read a bit there, and you will be hit with all sorts of info, hints and ideas about squeezing pennys.

Then have a look at the Old Style Board. I never post on there except at gunpoint, but there are loads of ideas on how to feed a family really cheap.

Then have a look at the Up your Income Board which I think covers loads. If you have any spare stuff to sell there is the ebay board. If you have garden/allotment to get veggies theres the greenfingered board. If you want to try diy theres the in your home board...

Some parts of the forum are nicer than others, but there are loads of great people on here, loads of info and good luck.

prudence41

I stumbled on this thread and I have read open-mouthed both Stephbond89's defensiveness about her financial situation (at what must be a stressful time when she's pregnant) and some of the viciousness of the posts.

I do agree with many of the posts that Steph doesn't seem to have had her lightbulb moment yet- but at least the helpful suggestions will still be there when she's ready to hear/read them.

Steph - having looked at your spending, it's ironic that you appear to be prudent with your food shopping (£100pm) but that you spend £170pm on TV and phones. Most of that spend is NOTessential but perhaps you should consider paying cancellation fees to get out of 12/18 month contracts that you can't afford now let alone when the baby arrives. Use the money you save to pay down some of your debts now which may give you some breathing space for the baby expenses that will inevitably come.

Good luck with your moneysaving efforts and for when the baby arrives.

dollydoodah

Help_required wrote: »

Your financial problems didn't start a couple of months ago, you are £10k in debt on a DMP and with every damned arrears that anyone can think so it has been going on for a while so you should have thought about it all when you signed up for the contracts but you wouldn't have cause your attitude to money quite simply sucks

I find it absolutely laughable that someone who - by their own admission - is running away from paying their debts (and waiting until they are statute barred) can get all high and mighty about financial responsibilities.