Need to stop digging myself holes

ems_2-2

Had got out of debt and things appeared to be going well. Have started getting money together for moving house next year.
But now, because money wasn't so tight I let go of the reins a bit and have got back into the debt hole. Have a credit card bill of £1300 that I can't clear this month with prob another £500 spend on it to come. Also need to buy kids school clothes, shoes and bus passes - at least another £600. Have £1000 put away towards Christmas, have joined this months OS grocery challange - prob spending £400+ a month at the mo. Also have booked and paid for holiday in October -paid with Tesco vouchers - but will need spending money for that.

Not sure what to do - should I take moving house money to clear debts - and put off moving for a year - or should I tighten my belt and see if I can do it that way? Problem is will have to not clear credit card balance and that will mean interest charges.
I'm kicking myself for letting go of reins but sometimes it's just so had to stay in control. Have only left the house once this week to avoid spending any money but kids are not enjoying what's left of the hols.

lynzpower

Well without an SOA I really couldnt say, but I would say that a grand for Xmas is pretty excessive, couldnt you buy your kids school uniforms out of that?

tipsychick

What's done is done. You can't go back and not spend the money, so just move on.

Personally, I'd throw your Xmas money/moving house money at the c/c debt, so as to avoid paying interest.

Just tighten your belt from now on and start saving again. You've done it before, you know how to do it and you'll be able to do it again!

Jolinar

Ditto the above plus cut up the cards if they cause too much temptation

ems_2-2

Income monthly

Partner 1300
me 1st job 160 (sometime more if overtime avail)
2nd job 100 approx (term time only)

Child benefit 210
DLA (for son) 315
Tax credit 180 (this is going to go down soon)
2265

Expenses

Water 38
Council tax 99
BT 19
Car Ins 22
Sky 42.50
Powergen 46 (account underpaid as meter not read)
House Insurance 16
Mortgage 470
Internet 19
Life ins (mine) 13
Charity 5
Clothes card 20 (pays partners work clothes, son's school shoes etc)
809.5


Shopping 500 at least (this is what I have lost control of)
Kids club etc 150
Fuel - car 160
Husbands fuel 250 he reclaims about 150/mth from work

1060


TOTAL EXPS 1869.5


WASTED MONEY 395.5 AND THEN SOME


as you can see the SOA shows we should be able to manage fine with money left

I am so angry with myself - it took ten years to get straight - and 6 months to mess it all up.

Thanx for your replies

Ems xx

ems_2-2

The £1000 christmas money is what I will pay most of the outstanding credit card balance off with. I was hoping to do Christmas this year all on cash - budget £150 each on kids, rest on other family - come from a big family have 15 nephews and nieces to buy for food etc.

I have started a spending diary, keep starting but never seem to keep it up, meal planning etc

I have taken my partners credit card for "safe keeping"! I don't use mime - don't even no the pin number. Mostly the problems have come because I gave up a job because of the problems my partner had with DS, and he took over the shopping etc - even if I give him a shopping list he still seems to impulse buy - so I will take this task back

Think I will use all savings to get straight then start again - really needed to move next year cos girls can't really all sleep in the same room much longer

Thanx for your replies. I really appriciate your help, I have lurked more than posted in the post and I know how much good you guys do. Hopefully one day I will be able to get it right and help some else

Thanx again

Ems xx

lynzpower

Well another thing there is that sky at 42.50 per month, you could live without this im sure and save yourself over 500 a year

ems_2-2

I know I have asked my other half to phone up and try the cancel and reduce route - skys in his name

I am looking at which channels we watch so can cut some. Part of the problem is my DS doesn't have many interests and the only programmes he watches are on sky channels - he has AS