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What can be our next step(s)?
Jo_R_2
Posts: 2,660 Forumite
Hi all
Haven't been on here posting for a while, got little lovely 6 week old baby to contend with as well as crazy toddler!
Anyway this next month is my first on purely SMP for my wages. We have been for months looking at our budget, we've made some changes for the better such as working on shopping budget (now down to £140 from start of £260, hurrah, hoping for £120 this next month!), draw out in cash funds for bus fares and water, and slashed our internet and phone bills to under half of what they were previously.
Anyhow, I have just casually filled in the lovely budget planner spreadsheet (think I have got just about everything covered) and it seems that even though I will be on SMP, with the increase in child benefit and our tax credits, we should have a good £200 a month left over which I had no idea of as I was positive we would be short.
This last month has been a bit here and there as regards being disciplined but we foresaw that with new baby. What I really want to do this month is make a new step towards us being moneysavers but not sure what to do next. Something I do need to do is put aside money each month for annual fees such as car insurance, contents insurance so that may be something to start work on.
The goal we have for ourselves is to throw money at our unsecured loan to pay it off quicker, then start saving for a deposit on a house, and money towards OH starting up his own business in a few years. In the shorter term we are looking to move and will more than likely be paying an extra £100 or so on rent per month and we also need a bigger car.
Any thoughts welcome on what we can do next!
Haven't been on here posting for a while, got little lovely 6 week old baby to contend with as well as crazy toddler!
Anyway this next month is my first on purely SMP for my wages. We have been for months looking at our budget, we've made some changes for the better such as working on shopping budget (now down to £140 from start of £260, hurrah, hoping for £120 this next month!), draw out in cash funds for bus fares and water, and slashed our internet and phone bills to under half of what they were previously.
Anyhow, I have just casually filled in the lovely budget planner spreadsheet (think I have got just about everything covered) and it seems that even though I will be on SMP, with the increase in child benefit and our tax credits, we should have a good £200 a month left over which I had no idea of as I was positive we would be short.
This last month has been a bit here and there as regards being disciplined but we foresaw that with new baby. What I really want to do this month is make a new step towards us being moneysavers but not sure what to do next. Something I do need to do is put aside money each month for annual fees such as car insurance, contents insurance so that may be something to start work on.
The goal we have for ourselves is to throw money at our unsecured loan to pay it off quicker, then start saving for a deposit on a house, and money towards OH starting up his own business in a few years. In the shorter term we are looking to move and will more than likely be paying an extra £100 or so on rent per month and we also need a bigger car.
Any thoughts welcome on what we can do next!
Dealing with my debts!
Currently overpaying Virgin cc -
balance Jan 2010 @ 1985.65
Now @ 703.63
0
Comments
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Hi Jo, and welcome.
Why don't you post your Statement of Affairs (see SouthernScouser's post at the top of this forum) on here then people can give you some specific advice.
Best of luck.Debt at highest: £6,290.72 (14.2.1999)
Debt free success date: 14.8.2006 :j0 -
i tihnk thats a good idea really, so we can see whats what these days
Glad to hear you are doing so well considering all the pressure you are under! WELL DONE.:beer: Well aint funny how its the little things in life that mean the most? Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes.
Theres no dollar sign on piece of mind
This Ive come to know...
So if you agree have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast :beer:0
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