Today is the Day

helen1981

Ok so here goes.
I want to sort my finances out and have made the decision that today will be the day. Im not sure how yet but I need to be motivated and hopefully this will be the first of many steps.
This is my first post on here so any guidance will be really helpful!
Wish me luck!

Now with SOA

Mrs_Jojo

Step one, post a SOA so the clever people can give you ideas - one of them will be along in a minute with the link I am sure!

nanna58

welcome helen :T:T

you will be guided and looked after wonderfully with all the lovely people on here
:A
good luck xxx

pixiechick_2

Well done for making the decision!!:T

You'll get lots of help on here (and maybe evne some gossip!!:rotfl:)

Good luck x

amiehall

People will be able to give you more specific advice if they have even a rough idea of your circumstances. You should start by filling this in with what you actually spend on each of these areas and people can then point you in the right rough directions

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

helen1981

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 2 partners children live with us about 1 week a month
Number of cars owned.................... 2
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1051
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0 havent included his income as my debt to deal with
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1051
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0 partner pays
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 193
Electricity............................. 50
Gas..................................... 50
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 35
Telephone (land line)................... 40
Mobile phone............................ 0
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 200
Clothing................................ 10
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 15
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 20
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 15
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0 partner pays
Contents insurance...................... 0 partner pays
Life assurance ......................... 0 partner pays
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 25
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 150 I have included my smoking in here, I need and want to give up
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 815

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 1000 I have a car but not running atm hence no tax/mot etc
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 1000

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
car loan.......................1175......105.......7.7
lloyds c/c.....................1700......100.......NaN
halifax........................3019......30........6.95
Total unsecured debts..........5894......235.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,051
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 815
Available for debt repayments........... 236
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 235
Amount left after debt repayments....... 1
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 1,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -5,894
Net Assets.............................. -4,894

helen1981

I know my debts arent huge but they do worry me. Also I'd like to start a family with my OH but cant and wont until im debt free, so any and all advice greatly appreciated.:)

dark^knight

Hi Helen,

Welcome to the forum.

Just wondering...you're not paying a mortgage or rent...how is that possible?...Thought you might have paid off the mortgage but you're not showing a value for the house.

Regards

helen1981

Hi, have updated my soa now, hope this helps.
Thank you all for a friendly welcome:)

tallyhoh

I smoked for 30 years & gave up 10 years ago. From the 1970's I tried every stop smoking aid going, from hypnosis to rinsing your mouth with stuff that made you sick if you smoked.

I eventually stopped, just stopped, something I hadnt tried before, I realise now that I believed the smoking aids would replace my will power.

My son stopped with nicotine chewing gum from poundland.

I understand Boots run free clinics at their stores, worth a try.

PLUS- you cant start a family till you have stopped smoking, another reason to give it up.

Firewalker

Hi Helen,

I' ve stopped smoking twice. The first time it was will-power and I missed it for seven years. Then cracked under pressure. The second time was four years ago and I attended a day long workshop of the EasyWay clinic. Have not looked back ever, did not put weight on, don't miss it and don't smoke now. If I were to crack it would have been last October when I learned about the Debt - but I didn't. I paid £240 for the workshop and have saved myself roughly £7,920 to date. And my health, of course. Probably the best investment one can make.

Firewalker