My new soa as requested!

the_taws_family_of_7

Scarlett1 wrote:

this can be reduced as you dont need dentist visits every month, also, you can save money by doing your shopping online (Tesco are very good), you will pay a delivery charge but it would be quarter of the price of a taxi fare.

you should think about getting rid of the car as its a luxury you cant afford to have at the moment, even if its not worth anything you will be saving yourself shelling money out for services, MOT and road tax.

Obviously the road tax mot etc isnt every month.And you cant just cancel your car insurance as my husband is still eligible to pay the full years fee upfront before they refund anything.Tesco dont deliver where we live asda do but i did have my shopping delivered from them for quite a while but found that you get no bargains so started going shopping again.Also asda charge £4 delivery a taxi is only £5 from the shop to our home so id rather go shopping.Also as weve had to change our bank we dont have a debit card so cant pay online.

all_hours

the_taws_family_of_7 wrote:

The travel expenses cannot be cut thats the bare minimum youve got to remember i have 5 children which i have to pay half fares for 2 of them not 20p either im talking £ for a return each then about £5.40 each for me and my husband.So really some months its more.

Have you looked into season tickets for using the bus? These weekly tickets for co durham look as though it would work out cheaper for you and your oh.

https://www.simplygo.com

Verbatim

Can't the children get help with fares to school from the council?

the_taws_family_of_7

all_hours wrote:

Have you looked into season tickets for using the bus? These weekly tickets for co durham look as though it would work out cheaper for you and your oh.

https://www.simplygo.com

Thanks for the info but that actually costs more £19 a week each per pass.And you cant get childrens tickets in advance.If we lived in tyne and wear it would be cheaper but as its durham really expensive but thanks.

the_taws_family_of_7

Verbatim wrote:

Can't the children get help with fares to school from the council?

No they cant when they are 11 they will be eligible for a pass to travel to and from school but till then we have to pay.

mookybargirl

Well done in trying to tackle your debts. There are some great people here who will help you. I agree the your CAB advisor was awful. Hiding some of your outgoings is really no good - it's only kidding yourself and as for keep Sky, as you'd spend it in the cinema, this is terrible advice. Kids can have a great day out with a frisbee and some sandwiches in the park for just a few pence.

There's a few bits and pieces missing from your SOA - haircuts, birthday presents, new shoes for school for little 'uns, does OH buy a newspaper every day? There may be a few things missing but they are stil all bought at some point or another. If you normally pay by card - dig your bank statement back out and it'll help identify the little things.

Sky will definitely reduce your package for you (it means no sport or movies but they need to be bumped for a while) I think their smallest pack is £15. If you don't get any joy, go through to the cancellation dept and they will be more helpful.

all_hours

the_taws_family_of_7 wrote:

Thanks for the info but that actually costs more £19 a week each per pass.And you cant get childrens tickets in advance.If we lived in tyne and wear it would be cheaper but as its durham really expensive but thanks.

Look at the day ticket packages for you and your oh. Region wide is £20 for 5 tickets and you don't have to use them on consecutive days. That would make a days bus travel £4. I know it's only a small saving but if you have days when you make several journeys it would work out cheaper.

Would you need a region wide one for the kids or would a durham city cover their journey. This map has the boundaries. Sorry I just realised the school bus fares you pay are a lot cheaper any way.

http://www.simplygo.com/new_gonsave/new_buscards_boundary.htm

I'm surprised to see the cost of bus travel in the north east is so expensive compared to London. It's £3 for a day's unlimited bus travel here and under 16s get a free bus pass.

the_taws_family_of_7

We buy a £10 family ticket if we go as a family which is a good deal.If we go out together doctors etc.its £4.00 each.They dont do any free travel.Theyve just started giving oaps and disabled free travel but not kids.

the_taws_family_of_7

We live durham city boundary kids go to school in stanley consett area.

all_hours

It sounds like you've got the best deal at the moment - sorry I couldn't help.