Help for my mum - SOA

samjef11_2

tbourner wrote: »

That's the main reason I'm in so much debt!


Anyway, I'm going to recommend changing her TV package from XL to L, keep the movie channels.
Go onto a Talk Anywhere 400 phone package which gives free calls up to 400 minutes to any number (almost).
Stop using catalogues and pay them off.
Use backy rather than buying fags.

That should save about £170 a month by my estimations.

She's in housing association rented property so I don't think she can get a water meter or change her gas/leccy meters? Maybe she could ask the association. TBH it's only £10 a month from Portsmouth water, and the £34 from Southern Water is paying off an old debt so it's pretty cheap anyway?

She have to focus on paying some of the other debts as well.

theoretica

tbourner wrote: »

Go onto a Talk Anywhere 400 phone package which gives free calls up to 400 minutes to any number (almost).

When you ring Virgin they should be able to tell you if she would be better off with the Talk anywhere (at £17 a month) or talk unlimited (£8 a month). Does she call mobiles a lot?

tbourner

Yes, most of her calls are mobiles (non Virgin) and 0845 numbers, so I thought the Talk Anywhere would be better as long as she doesn't go over the number of minutes - I'm not sure what the costs are per call after that but I'm guessing the same or higher than the Unlimited pack.

getmore4less

You have counted the water debt twice?

Split fags from from groceries.
and booze if that is in groceries.

TV/phone is the one to tackle first since this does not change lifestyle just the cost.

Does she even need L we have M and still have more than we need
What does she actualy watch?

Long shot might be a bit of a risk.
If mobile calls are significant then a mobile on a free contract might be worth a look(if she/you can get one) with loads of free minutes.

What about adding internet and VOIP a phone,
What calls is she making?


Any income specificaly allocated to spends(council tax/rent) could be identified on the SOA lines (no savings to be made).


What is the purpose of changing spending habits?

The real question to ask is If she does save money what is she going to spend it on?

How much does she want the new spend over the current ones?

tbourner

Here's some answers:

getmore4less wrote: »

You have counted the water debt twice?
Yes! Well spotted. I've ammended the first post.
I've also found out there's another debt, another £400ish on a catalogue that is paid off at £10 per month.

Split fags from from groceries.
and booze if that is in groceries.
I'll have to do another SOA I think.

TV/phone is the one to tackle first since this does not change lifestyle just the cost.
Does she even need L we have M and still have more than we need
What does she actualy watch?
As mentioned, she's housebound so she watches a lot of TV, like Discovery stuff and Watch and Dave type things. She also watches films every day so Movie packs are required.

Long shot might be a bit of a risk.
If mobile calls are significant then a mobile on a free contract might be worth a look(if she/you can get one) with loads of free minutes.
She phones mobiles a lot, but doesn't use hers at all really. Apart from when she needed to phone support lines when on the internet (dial up), but we've given her an internet dongle now so that's solved.

What about adding internet and VOIP a phone,
What calls is she making?
I don't think she'd make use of broadband, and the cost would outweigh the gains of having a VOIP phone when compared to changing her plan.

Any income specificaly allocated to spends(council tax/rent) could be identified on the SOA lines (no savings to be made).


What is the purpose of changing spending habits?
The real question to ask is If she does save money what is she going to spend it on?
How much does she want the new spend over the current ones?
Up until last week she got cigs and energy meters paid by my dad, but he's not doing it any more, so she's going to be short of over £200 a month. She won't have any extra money she just needs to get back to a black position again.

getmore4less

Revisit your virgin bundle options

look to add internet and mobile(cheap with minutes)

You have £105 to play with.
top VIP packages are around £80 but you can get cheaper.

Here is what others get.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1021885
http://www.avforums.com/forums/virgin-media/885035-virgin-media-retentions-discussion-part-2-a.html

tbourner

I think ALL of the Virgin phone deals except the Talk Anywhere charge for 0845 numbers? This would be an unknown cost on top if we don't go for that package. I'll have another look on the site whether you can have Anywhere included in the bundle deals but I didn't think you could.
//edit: Just had a look, that VIP package is unlimited anytime calls. May be an option if she uses more than 400 minutes per month. She won't go for a VOIP phone it will just confuse her (unless I can set it up and tell her it's a normal phone!).