My SOA: The Ugly Truth

**confuzzled**

Ruby Ruby Ruby RUBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
So good to know you aint lying alone in your flat reeking the whole block out:p:D

rubyslipper wrote: »

Yes, groceries are RIDICULOUS. I have slipped back into the habit of wandering into Tesco Metro of an evening, buying whatever I fancy and not making lists and meal planning. Also my boyfriend tends to come and stay with me and I always end up buying nice food to make him and wine for us both. I can DEFINITELY improve on that.

My contract on this flat is up in July but I don't have a deposit to put down on another, cheaper place. There's a chance they're putting my rent up though so I might have to move somehow. I used to lodge with a girl who has said I could move back there temporarily if I need to although that's a last resort. I live in London and living on your own is very expensive here.

Thanks for your comments x

rubyslipper wrote: »

Thanks for your comments, Sue!

I've only been with my BF for 5 months plus he's still waiting for his decree absolute (sp) to come through so he can sell the house he bought with his ex-wife. He lives in Hampshire and has a very involving job in healthcare which he can't leave at the moment so sadly, us moving in won't happen for a long time (regardless of what I want!).

Ok Rubes, sounds like you need a lot of support of the Moral variety..y'know we have it in bucket loads on t'other side;):) Plus I want the dirt on the(not so) new bf!!!:j
Tasha outed you(can't believe you didn't say she'd come back to us Rupe:eek::p) so here I am and I'm sure t'others will be here soon enough:) we've missed you and you've missed out on all the gossip...I'm finally up t'duff:T:j:D thats all I'm saying til you come back to us:p

Hope all is well and re: money you're getting a lot of good advice form everyone here so I won't bother...I'll just grill you about the fella:rotfl:
Much love to you and hope to see you on the dark side soon;) MWAH xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

robsmum_2

Ruby:You have been sprung! So glad to hear you ok, all miss you on the otherside. Please come back to us.

I lapsed also and I'm only just getting back on form, so don't beat yourself up.xx

OrkneyStar

rubyslipper wrote: »

Here's my SOA. The ugly, hideous truth. My recent relapse has seen me ramp up a debt of £1,000 on a previously cleared credit card, go way back into my overdraft and generally behave like an utter fool.

I can't believe how bad this has become. Seeing my spending laid out below has really shocked me, I mean check out my grocery spend!! !!!!!! is that about?? I'm ashamed and I'm broken. If anyone can offer any tips I'll listen to every last one.

I can't find my loan paperwork so I'm not sure of interest rate and I couldn't find it for the Mint card either. Hopefully this is a starting point, though:

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 2000.5
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 2000.5
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 700
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 72
Electricity............................. 20 really this low ?
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 25
Telephone (land line)................... 37.78
Mobile phone............................ 35 a bit high
TV Licence.............................. 11.87
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 350 very very high for one person
Clothing................................ 50 high- can you not reduce this for a while ?
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 120 what is this ?
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 20
Haircuts................................ 20
Entertainment........................... 100 too high
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1561.65

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Lloyds TSB loan................13034.....255.......0
Mint card......................1009......20........0
Total unsecured debts..........14043.....275.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 2,000.5
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,561.65
Available for debt repayments........... 438.85
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 275
Amount left after debt repayments....... 163.85
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -14,043
Net Assets.............................. -14,043
Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using IE browser.

Some comments in red, I'd say the groceries are worst (as a single person £200 max per month, ideally less! We spend much less than what you spend on one for 2 adults and a toddler and eat well! OS board can help loads!). Entertainment could maybe be cut back a little too. BF needs to contribute too, if he is eating your food...can you chose the ingredients together and go half...or take it in turns to buy ? Also get the wine on offers etc.
Other comment- is this really all you spend, because it suggests you have a reasonable amount spare- have you tried keeping a spending diary ?
All the best.

rosered1963

Ruby! Please come back to us! I have £16,000 debt and have earned nothing at all for six months!

I know what it's like - you can do it honey and you know, from what I have learned on MSE, your situation isn't so very bad! Congrats on lovely new BF. I miss your lovely posts my darling. Hope I have said nothing to offend.

Love from Roseyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

laura2481

I am here to join the bullying. Please come back Rubes. Please. I have lapsed too so don't think you are alone. I have been buying too much crap I don't need and have even been paying my CC card late. Back to the bad old days...
please come back to use Rubes. xxxx

Err, that sounds a bit psycho-ey needy. Hmm, why don't you come back and chat? or whatever. Y'know. We're cool. :cool:

xx

Triggles

I am just curious - is that SOA complete? No monies paid out for life insurance, contents insurance, emergency fund, medical? Just making sure it's not a case of "forgot to add these".... as they are important obviously, but can add up.

rupe34

**confuzzled** wrote: »

(can't believe you didn't say she'd come back to us Rupe:eek::p)

:o:oSorry sorry sorry:o:o:o

~daisy~_2

*is chuckling at the outing - but in a caring way*

love ya ruby xx

alohahawaii

I hope this isn't a pointless post (if you're not coming back lol)

But trust me, paying off debt gets addictive after a while.

I'd definately recommend taking lunch, I never used to and it takes less than 5 mins and it saves at least £3 a day! work it out how much you'd save or how much you spend on lunch at work.
And it tastes so much nicer and no waiting in line!!

also i'd try and pay more off the debts, don't buy clothes for a while. I used to go shopping 3 nights a week! and now i never go lol.

I also sold a bit on ebay which paid off my overdraft and i brought a new phone.

you'll get there!!

xxx

Swinstie73

Hey Ruby, lovely to 'see' you again, have checked you status occasionally and you were never on but it's great to have you back! Good luck with the new bf, spill the beans please! x