New here....

FrugalJo

Hi Jen
Just want to say well done, wish I'd had the alarm bells at 20, so you are doing the right thing.
Have to agree with angchris re the clothes, bought a huge bundle of boys clothes for my eldest two years ago, my youngest is just 'finishing them' off , not bad for £10. But the baby stage goes so quick...
Jo

Bambywamby

Fill in what you can of the family credit form and get it sent off - leave a foot note on the form that Hubbys company wouldnt supply needed information (tax will get it off them ) don't delay sending your form in - you could lose money in the long run.

Good luck xx

jenagain

Thanks everyone, I'll send in the tax credits form today!

I am a bit funny about cleaning things, all I buy each month is 2 bottles of Flash spray (usually 2 for £2 on tesco.com), 2 bottles of Tesco Value bleach (about 20p a bottle) and some cleaning cloths (13p for a pack of ten). And Tesco Value kitchen roll.

Washing powder is bought in a huge box when it's on offer - 7 months on and we've just opened our 2nd box of Fairy which cost around £5 and it will last us even longer because it's huge! We can't switch for a cheaper brand as my son and I are allergic and have eczema and sensitive skin.

I think I overestimated the nappies - we spend £14 a month. I can't use reusables, I think I have a bit of a phobia Sounds silly but the thought of them really makes me feel funny....

All wipes are bought buy one get one free as there is always an offer on. We don't use them for his face and always have used a flannel.

I make all his food, except the odd jar when we're out somewhere for the day.

I think the key is to stop my debts gathering interest so I can tackle them as and when I can. The minimum payments aren't a problem, but if I continue like this I'll never get out of it.

Does anyone have any views on transferring the £500 CC balance to a 0% card and leaving it for a year?

bobbadog

Hi Jenagain! You and your OH sound in a similar position to myself and my man - he's just finished college as a Carpenter and has started as an apprentice - he's just gone up to £40 a day which is an absolute relief as I couldn't handle everything on my own anymore with my debts and us moving in together I have no real advice to give, except 0% the debt if possible and pay it off as slowly as the length of the 0% allows. Best of luck - am looking forward to reading more about your journey! zx

all_hours

I think you should transfer what you can onto 0% and pay off the minimum off the 0% until you have the extra salary to play with.

What are the APRs on the store cards, credit card and overdraft?

If you apply for any 0% cards go via quidco so that you get some cash back.

Alliance and leicester offer a free overdraft for 12 months - you need £500 per month passing through the account to qualify. If you sign up through quidco you can get £30 cash back.

jenagain

Hi Bobbadog!

My OH is training to be a joiner and is on about £30 a day. When his last car insurance payment comes out (for a car someone wrote off in June :mad: ), and he gets a payrise (hopefully) it will be so much easier.

We agreed when we moved in that I'd pay for all the bills etc, and he would buy food. It started off fine until his pay was getting messed around. Poor thing feels so bad that I have to work so much and deal with everything but he does all he can and I'd rather he was earning a little and learning, than going to uni and costing us a fortune!

I'm going to set up standing orders tonight so that he'll be paying a teeny bit every week into my account to help out.

I'm having a good day today - got a delivery of all DS's birthday presents. Cost me £26.50 for lots of bits and pieces from https://www.nurseryandtoys.com. So now just Christmas to sort out for him but we're just getting him a little table and chair from Ikea. I also got some stuff from Vertbaudet today that I bought using codes so that was all free. Ordered a birthday present for our 3yr old neighbour, £8 on Amazon for two nice presents.

We've also managed to get a free day out this weekend thanks to OHs old boss - we're off to Woodfair 06 which is some sort of agricultural/wood trade show. It will get me out the house which I desperately need!

o_Looby_o

Hi Jen

I'm not much help with the debit situation, but I wish you luck...

And if you need any help with your wedding plans, let me know. I know quite a few money saving tips when it comes to things like that!

Its my profession! I'm a Wedding Planner! So feel free to ask ok? Every little helps!

Keep smiling

Lucy

jenagain

all_hours wrote:

I think you should transfer what you can onto 0% and pay off the minimum off the 0% until you have the extra salary to play with.

What are the APRs on the store cards, credit card and overdraft?

If you apply for any 0% cards go via quidco so that you get some cash back.

Alliance and leicester offer a free overdraft for 12 months - you need £500 per month passing through the account to qualify. If you sign up through quidco you can get £30 cash back.

I can't remember exactly the APRs but I think the store cards are 20%+, CC is about 15%. Overdraft I only pay £3 something a month so thats not a problem.

I used to have an Alliance and Leicester account but left them due to ongoing problems with the service. I just realised they used to charge me about £50 a month in charges so I could claim that back from them if I got my old statements.

jenagain

o_Looby_o wrote:

Hi Jen

I'm not much help with the debit situation, but I wish you luck...

And if you need any help with your wedding plans, let me know. I know quite a few money saving tips when it comes to things like that!

Its my profession! I'm a Wedding Planner! So feel free to ask ok? Every little helps!

Keep smiling

Lucy

Thanks Lucy! Can't think of anything right now but will let you know when I do!

o_Looby_o

No problem!

Good luck!! :grouphug: