bored of debt

affordmylife

ive snowballed by debt and i need to pay £400 a month for 12 months to pay it off.

i earn approx £800 a month so technically it should be possible but i have a very active social life which involves lots of trips and restaurants etc.

i dont really have any bills to pay as such just the food bill for me my hubby and daughter (aged 11). we do eat well i admit but i really really want this debt gone so i can reduce my work hours or even possibly change my job.

ideally i would like to be able to earn considerably more than i do and pay it off quicker.

any suggestions please x

lollyhop

Hi, I'm happy to offer you some tips.. budget food shopping being my specialist subject

But I am confused by your post... You earn £800 per month.. so is none of it (apart from food) needed for anything else?

Tixy

So what are you spending on food for your family of 3? If this is high this might be easier to reduce than to earn more in the short term.

Does you current job allow you to increase your working hours? Have you included child benefit in your calculations? Are you eligible for tax credits (obviously its difficult to know without knowing about husband's income). Does OH pay for all the household bills?

Have you tried keeping a spending diary to see exactly where your £800 goes?

tallyhoh

why dont you just cut back on your social life? try inviting friends for "pot luck" with every one bringing a different dish or gatherings that dont involve eating out. I go with my friends for a walk in the park or a day out at the local archives.

Quite frankly I would find eating out in restaurants boring but it depends on what you are used to. What trips do you take?

affordmylife

thank you very much for your replies.

yes hubby pays all the bills and mortgage.

i did included child benefit.

we are not eligible for any benefits.

we have had an expensive time lately. dd and i had a week away. we have had 6 family birthdays. this half term we have been out for 3 or 4 days plus meals out etc.

now christmas is coming up fast and i have bought nothing.