Trying not to panic- but husbands hours have been cut

indebtagain

Okay so just spoke to husband who's on the train home from work and he said I need to talk to you about work later - I said okay what he said 'nothing bad' but he then went on to say his hours were being cut from 40 - 37.5 and that some agency staff were being laid off work (he is agency but his boss said he is safe for the moment) - exactly - I picked up on the 'for the moment' - recently he's been 50 hours a on overtime as they have a big building project on - he's a Civil Engineer who has been working for the same contractors for 8 years now. And basicially he may be okay until this current project is finished next year - when god help us all we'll be in a double dip recession

So my plan of action is - cancel the gym - I do use it and also use it to take the kids swimming - I can walk everywhere and save on petrol. Cancel paying into the childrens trust funds - there will be plenty of time for that when things are okay. I have just called about a cleaning job - I must say I am a stay at home mum of 2 little people - my son starts school in September and my daughter will be 2 in October so I could put her in pre-school a couple of times a week or ask mum to look after her and get some little cleaning jobs. I do clean the cricket club every Sat n sun morning and once in the week but this simmers down in September.

I've been boot saling for a few weeks now to get rid of junk - but now it takes on a whole new meaning - this is serious stuff and I've just a few good weeks left of hopefully boot sale weather.

I'm going to meal plan and drop a down to basic's range.

What else can I do?

I know its not yet happened but its imminent really (sp?) I am going to cut back and do what I can - I've just called an agency about a cleaning job but its gone - I asked if they had anything else but no - they took my details anyway.

Can I ask what else I can do - I have a christmas account and I've already e-mailed friends n family and said 'times are hard for us all and are only going to get harder and this year we're just going to concentrate on the children with a small gift to my mum and dad and sister - who really help out with the children so I can go and clean - thanks Primark for selling off thick winter PJ's for a £1 in the summer. Everyone has e-mailed or texted back - saying what a good idea and that they are struggling too.

My daughter is going to be dressed as a boy bless her - I kept all my sons clothes as I wanted more children and hoped we'd have another boy but thanks to Dave Cameron and his mob that will not be.

What else can I do - I know I'll get no sleep tonight as I have it all churning over in my mind - I've got 5k on credit cards that my husband doesn't know about but I'm slowly chipping away at it - I had post-natal depression and I shopped every Wednesday - dreadful I know but its under control now - got tablets and now I browse around a car boot sale on Thursday mornings instead with just £5 of 'play money' - my kids think its christmas.

Another thing - my house is open to all - its a happy house and as we speak I've got 7 children playing in the back garden - all the neighbours children with my 2 - yes times are hard but everyone's welcome here.

Please please what else can I do - I'm not buying anymore clothes -apart from my sons school shoes n plimsols and wellies and my daughters shoes that she will need.

How can I cut back and cut down? any idea's?

Thanks for listening

Louise xxx

pawlala

have you decided which CC you're paying off first? I.e the one with the highest interest first, then the smallest last? Good luck

boredofbeingathome

Hi- and welcome to the boards Louise.

First things first.

Has hubby calculated how much it will affect him? You may find that there is a gain in less Tax being taken out etc. Also i would look at Child tax credits- Have you checked to see if you qualify?

Then have a look at Martin's budget planner-both of you sit down together and see what everything comes to and where it can be pared back.

Then follow every single tip to reduce outgoings, then look again.:D

After all of that see what you can do re the food budget- get yourself on Oldstyle and see how you can reduce your outgoings there. If you have a set budget for food-look at how much you save then put the rest off the cc. I am addicted:D

Usually with a bit of firm budgeting you will be surprised at what you can do.:T

Well done on the car boots-and on the cleaning job.:D Everything helps.

I also like to break things down into weeks and months, so set yourself a goal to pay off the card then look at how much you need to raise to do this.

Put your cards into the snowball-on https://www.whatsthecost.com it is a useful tool and will give you a debt free date.

Also you have started to put into practice a lot of good things, so you will be prepared for when/or if things do happen.

This board is a great inspiration for many and will give you a firm footing for the future- so look on it as a very positive move.:D

Good luck Bob.x

SJ1

Hi

I would suggest doing a statement of affairs. It's really easy to think that it will all be fine but it is really worth sitting down and looking at what your actual costs are and there is no better place to start than last month's bank statement. It actually doesn't take that long but it's really useful as it will immediately highlight stuff you didn't realise was expensive and where you can cut. There are quite a few of these among the various threads which should give you an idea.

Various other people on the thread have recommended what I would anyway and you have some great ideas.

Good luck.

SJ

SpagBol

I would also do the statement of affairs, people on here are very helpful with those! You sound like you are really determined and practical about this which I think is half the battle so well done and good luck!

pennypusher

Hi, I would also suggest you also check out freecycle, there is always lots of things on there that people are looking for a home for. If you have an expensive car you could change it for a cheaper one. If you have any spare rooms you could think about renting one. Do your Statement of Affairs it will help you focus on what you need and what you think you would like to have but isn't essential. Hope this helps.

WelshWoofer

With many of us the grocery bill is much higher than we really think it is when you add in the bits and pieces bought here and there.
Writing a meal plan for the week and a shopping list to go with it really helps me stick to a budget.

Have a look on the Old Style board for loads of good ideas about food, shopping and planning. Its not all beans on toast I promise!

barbiedoll

Hi there. You're in the same position as me, my husband's hours were cut suddenly last Christmas so I know how you feel, although it sounds as though your debts are a lot lower than mine :T
I know it's hard not to panic, but as others have been saying, try to do a Statement of Affairs, there's a link on the "First time posters and SOA calculator" thread somewhere near the top of the board. It really does help to see your outgoings down in black and white. If you post it on here, the rest of us can have a look and go through it with a fine-toothed comb and let you know where you can possibly make savings. You are clearly in the right frame of mind but even so, there's always savings to be had. I changed my utilities supplier and got a cashback deal through one of the sites that were recommended on here. Changing your cable/internet supplier can save you a fortune, even if you don't switch, just the threat of you leaving can be enough for them to put you on a better package, likewise with mobile phones.
Just another tip: Like you, my house is open to all the local kids and before our cashflow problem, I often ended up cooking dinner for everyone. Now, I stock up on squash (no more expensive juice, I don't care how many vitamins are in it!) crisps and sweets from Poundland and send them home for their tea!

loveGSDs

hi there,

firstly - dont panic. yeah your right to start thinking bout how to cut down and save should the worst happen, but try not worry overly about it just now.

looking for more cleaning jobs is a great idea and iv recently started car booting too - made £100 at my last one.

also budgeting for food, changing tv. insurance, phone packages too will help get costs down.

all the best

xx

MrsTinks

Kids clothes (and yours!) - try arranging a clothes swap Friends with kids of multiple ages especially and friends of roughly the same sizes or clothes that aren't so size dependant might still be a good idea...
Cleaning - look at gumtree - I advertised there for my cleaner She does it selfemployed and I took references and proof of ID etc so nothing stopping you finding extra income if you're happy to clean I'm very flexible in when she does it and likewise she's flexible when say little 'un is ill and it's maybe not the best idea to have someone walking round hoovering and cleaning. Worth a try!

slummymummyof3

Where do you do your weekly shopping? Try Aldi/Lidl to reduce the costs of basics, fruit & veg etc, deodorants etc - good quality and value for money.

Does your OH take packed lunches or does he buy them whilst at work?

Have you compared your gas and electric lately? Look at changing and use the cashback sites to maximise your savings.

Ebay will often bring in a higher revenue for clothes than a carboot sale. I would have thought that you have quite a lot that could be ebayed.