Trying not to panic- but husbands hours have been cut

isy1011

Use the surestart libraries and clothes and toys exchanges they are great. Can you sell on ebay? that's brought some extra pennies in for me? Write everything down you are spending that has saved me some cash. Make sure you have best deal on energy, etc.

determined_new_ms

Hi op sorry to hear this is such a worrying time, I agree with all the positive advice given already. check out this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1295539 "its tough now" loads of info on how ppl have cut back in the current economic climate, labourious true but loads of tips you may not have thought of. Anyway you can do a balance transfer on ur CCs to 0%? if u can and not spend on it it really does make a huge difference to being able to pay off debt. my thoughts are with you xxx

indebtagain

Thanks for all your replies - so many good idea's thanks everyone.

I'm going to do a Statement of Affairs this afternoon when the little one is in bed having her afternoon nap.

Last night I updated my CV - all the while my husband was standing there saying 'I knew this would happen - you've gone into panic mode' I said that I hadn't but we should have some savings etc. So I' going to call my old agency and see what they have and ask them to look out for and little part time office jobs - 2 days a week and to put me down as a temp - I don't mind temping a few days here and there. So I've got plans for today.

I've got a lovely 3 year Vauxhall Zafira (skip on wheels would be a better description) and yes that would be the first to go should something happen - I love that car as it can seat 7 but at the end of the day I could live without a car.

Ebay - I'm not so good with Ebay - I wish I was - I have been letting Next boys and Gap clothes go for 20p each at the car boot sale - maybe I'll have a look again.

Gumtree - I will look on there I didn't know they advertise jobs - yeah I don't mind cleaning - anything to bring the money in as long as I've got marrigolds on then I will scrub away :-)

I am going to apply for a credit card to transfer money too - will have a look later and apply - I have about 4k on Barclaycard and I'm paying £43 a month interest on it so its time to change.

Food shopping I can do it for between £60 - £70 a week if I am very good with just buying bread and milk inbetween - but I usually come away with newspapers and magazines and sweets etc - thats all going to stop.

Am going to start a spending diary too.

£ shop - thanks for that tip about crisps n squash - i love that shop they do big boxes of cereals in there too.

Lastly I guess I have to cut right back on the grape juice ;-( I do love a glass or 2 of wine when the kids are in bed and I'm sitting down at the end of the day but I'll swop if for a cup of tea instead.

Yes my husband does take a packed lunch into work most days as he is so busy he usually works right through lunch - I don't know how cutting his hours is going to work because the projects he's working on still have to go out to the clients on time I guess he'll be doing unpaid overtime.

Right am off to look at Ebay again and Gumtree.

Deep breathes - stay posititive .........

Pollycat

indebtagain wrote: »

Last night I updated my CV - all the while my husband was standing there saying 'I knew this would happen - you've gone into panic mode'

Hi there.

I disagree with your husband, I don't think you've "gone into panic mode" at all - I think you sound really positive and have already thought of lots of ways you can cut back. :T

Much better to be like that than running round like a headless chicken or wringing your hands and wailing.

Let's have a look-see at your SOA and see where you are currently.
I'm sure you'll have lots of great advice.

dancingfairy

You do seem a bit over panicked. He's had his hours cut. Yes it's not good but be realistic - it's a good time to take stock and see what savings you can make here and there and shore things up but unfortunately you can't predict the future.
I think maybe you need to come clean about your debt - if you wracked it up when you were ill and are trying to deal with it - maybe it's time it was out in the open?
I would also see if you can work out exactly what the cut in income will be - like someone said you might find it isn't that much when tax etc is taken into account.
Also - maybe think (not panic) about the worst case scenario - you would get help with benefits, your husband should get JSA etc so maybe things wouldn't be as bad sa you are fearing.
Anyway - good luck with shoring the budget up - I'm sure you can whether the storm.
df

indebtagain

Thanks Pollycat - I disagree with my husband 99.999% of the time too lol.

However as I have been posititive last night and this morning - now I've had a setback I've got a throbbing headache probably due to my childrens friends in the garden - in and out every 5 minutes - I've fallen over, I'm hungry, I need a drink etc so and its a first I've asked them if they can play at their houses as I need to make some phone calls and I can't do that with the constant demands - that sounds bad but I need peace for a few minutes to make some calls.

I'm going to tackle the Statement of Affairs later - not looking forward to it.

The truth of the matter - we struggled for money when husband was doing overtime but thats all stopped now.

I've no idea what we pay for gas and electric - it varies and a lot of the time the tv is on in the lounge with no one in there - I use a tumble dryer in the winter too - I can't have wet washing around the house as my son has a weak chest - although maybe if in the winter when the central heating is on I can shut it away to dry in the upstairs bathroom.

Pollycat

indebtagain wrote: »

Thanks Pollycat - I disagree with my husband 99.999% of the time too lol.

However as I have been posititive last night and this morning - now I've had a setback I've got a throbbing headache probably due to my childrens friends in the garden - in and out every 5 minutes - I've fallen over, I'm hungry, I need a drink etc so and its a first I've asked them if they can play at their houses as I need to make some phone calls and I can't do that with the constant demands - that sounds bad but I need peace for a few minutes to make some calls.

I'm going to tackle the Statement of Affairs later - not looking forward to it.

The truth of the matter - we struggled for money when husband was doing overtime but thats all stopped now.

I've no idea what we pay for gas and electric - it varies and a lot of the time the tv is on in the lounge with no one in there - I use a tumble dryer in the winter too - I can't have wet washing around the house as my son has a weak chest - although maybe if in the winter when the central heating is on I can shut it away to dry in the upstairs bathroom.

Hi there
re the gas/electricity: do you pay quarterly? If so, just check your last 4 bills (or 8 if you keep them that long) and you can calculate your average monthly payment.

Get everybody into the habit of turning lights and appliaances off when not in use.
I even turn my microwave & toaster off until I come to use them.
Ditto my cooker - but I have to confess that I started that when the timer broke.

Do you have energy bulbs in?

I used to use my tumble dryer a lot too, but now I try to plan my washing around the weather.
I also bought this dryer from Argos and I hardly have the tumbler on now.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8500746/Trail/searchtext%3ELAUNDRY+AIRERS.htm

I put it in the spare bedroom and with the door closed and the CH on, it dries even matress protectors, bedding and towels quickly.

You'll have lots of good advice when you post your SOA.

Take a look at the Old-Style board for tips on cutting food/cleaning bills.

If you tend to buy magazines & sweets when you do an ad-hoc shop, try keeping a spending diary.
Write down EVERYTHING you spend that's not accounted for elsewhere.
You'll be gob-smacked at how much disappears from your purse on things like birthday cards, stamps, coffees etc.
It will also give you an accurate idea of your food bill e.g. big shop on credit card once or twice a month plus £xx cash on bread, milk etc.

I tend to agree with dancingfairy about coming clean to your OH about your debt, although only you can know how that will go down with him.

Regards

RoxieW

Damit - just lost my long post!
Here goes again lol
Firstly u have my sympathies. I have PND and have overspent and gone into overdraft by £3k so a similar amount.
Firstly I would recommend going through the bank accounts and doing an soa. A realistic one based on actually spending not heat u think you spend. I have since cut my grocery bill in half by dropping a brand, menu planning and reducing treats. Treats have been reduced across the board actually but tbh we haven't really felt it adversely on our lifestyle. If anything us and the kids are appreciating and ennjoyingnthe treats more. Then I did a direct debit audit and cancelled anything superfluous. Magazine subscriptions, extended warranties, extra services from sky and bt etc. That saved £50 a month straight away. Then I started clearing out and ebaying. Have made about £200 so far and am still going. Then I checked out quidco with gives cash back for things like changing your utilities, insurances etc etc.
I have joined the £10 a day challenge on this board and have found that helpful for tips to make or save money and also motivated. In 3 weeks i've made over £300 extra. U might find it helpful. I'm also keeping a diary on the diaries section of this forum.
Finally, do u think you are panicking more than your husband because of the debt that he doesn't know about? Do you think you could share this burden with him? Shouldering it yourself might make you Ill and if he understands the reality of the situation then he might be more on board with the cutting back etc?
Ps I really don't know how u cope with all the kids round all the time. Try to distribute the burden!

EstherH

Hi, are your children of an age where you could make turning lights, tv etc off into a game? Would you husband be supportive and join in.

You make up a star chart and and if someone turns a light off that another person has left on, they get a star. At the end of the week, the one who has the most stars gets to choose a prize from a list you have made up previously. This doesn't have to cost money, could be trip to the park, play a game of their choice, etc. or maybe just a small cost treat. Depends how imaginitive you can be.

I'm sure you're children would get very competitive about it if they are old enough to understand. I know this has worked before. It is only a little thing but every little helps.

Also, it is absolute fair that if you have other peoples children one day, they go to their friends another day. Do their parents never offer or do you like to keep your children where you can see them? I can understand this if its the case. But if it's not, I would certainly be sending the others home a bit more often.