Help me my life sucks

sneekymum

I think you just don't earn enough -

Most people are better off because they're in couples - even if they earn less than you that's two lots of tax allowances. And once you've got children there's Child Benefit and Tax Credits.

I was in your position once. I got a second job that didn't pay brilliantly but I enjoyed - that gave me quality time for which I was paid. Later on I did a bit of self-employment in my spare time. That's full time now. Many people seem to be selling on eBay.. that sort of thing...

lilaliboo1

I've read your messages and I really do sympathise. It's so hard when you live in an expensive place like Devon to buy or to rent.

Sorry to sound harsh (don't mean to) but it doesn't seem like there is one easy solution (like cutting a big bill down or anything) apart from minimising your rent and making sure you steer clear of any further loans/credit card tempatations, which I'm sure you will do. You seem like a realistic person and have tried really hard the way things are to do the best you can. However I just don't see you being able to save the way you would like to without a change in circumstances.

When I was in a similar position, just starting out, I looked at the following:

Increase money coming in (ie bar job or similar two evenings a week)
Minimise money going out (ie bite the bullet and flat share or similar, make yourself lunches to take to work, etc)

If you really want a better quality of life fairly quickly then to me these two ideas in conjunction could provide it for you.

I know it's a pain but you could also look at an evening job, perhaps even at the cinema which could mean you get staff discount when you want to visit. Personally I took a waitress job for 3 months to tide me over and bought a house to cut down on rent. But that was before property zoomed up and it's just not the same situation right now.

I would recommend you keep your car as if you got an old banger it would cost more to run... however is there anything else you could afford to sell, maybe CDs you don't listen to? You could make enough to warrant a clothes-shop, perhaps.

Good luck, it seems you have your head screwed on. I am sure things will improve for you.

newfunk

I understand exactly where you are coming from, i live in Devon and my rent is £460 per month for a 2 bed house, which is cheap in comparison. (im in the south hams a place called kingsbridge near salcombe) the average house price here is £150k. My partner brings home £700 a month and I bring home £1000. (although i have just gone back to self employed status) In my experience all the people splashing out, do it on credit. I paid for my last holiday to Disneyland Paris in cash and saved for 10 months. So dont worry we are all in the same boat

Vix79_2

louise1234 wrote:

Just a quick thought - your rent seems quite high -where are you?? Could you move somewhere cheaper??

Could I ask whereabouts you live, that you think £385 is a high rent? I pay £395 for a one bed flat (fairly large I admit), and that is privately rented. If I were to rent it through an agency it would cost nearer £500.

I'm not being shirty, I'm genuinely interested because I'm struggling to pay everything each month and if I moved to a cheaper area it would help a lot!

Thanks :-)

kate682

How about supplimenting your income? ie, instead of £80 a month on social stuff...why not get a couple of evenings a week working in your local pub? Or selling things on ebay to add a bit of money. If you're the out doorsey type, walking dogs is a little money earner. Have a holiday camping...personally, i think you deserve it...borrow a two man tent, take a friend...wink... a duvet and pillow... a flask of coffee and a warm jumper... Not having much money does give a certain freedom I've found. When you cook, double the portion and freeze half. If you live on your own, have you checked that you get the discount on council tax? What about being a 'lodger' for a while...or even having a lodger? I do that...they become firm friends, the money's good...and tax free..on the rent a room scheme...up to £4200 ish a year. Hope you find something here useful.
Rgds
Katie

Heddwen_2

Hi

Its just a thought, and some may prove it more expensive, but have you considered switching everything you can to Tesco products? Tesco BroadBand, Tesco homephone, Tesco mobile (triple points if topped up in Tesco stores), Tesco Gas Tesco electricity, Tesco insurance/s, etc etc?

We did this when we had our last house (we are unable to at present) and saved a nice sum of Tesco clubcard points each month on each bill, to which each 4 months (quarter) we were sent money off vouchers for various products and points converted vouchers in which we saved some for a holiday, used others at Christmas on small gifts and extra food & drink for guests or specail occasions and the remainder we used on our shopping bill over the remaining weeks. This cut it down to almost for food (Tesco value of course where possible) and even got some new clothes in their sales, stationery, luxuries like CD's & DVD's once in a while as well and we were re-rewarded on that replenishment as well with more points!

And no I have don't have any shares in Tesco or work there!

I didnt have half the money you are on either and had my husband and a dog and cat to feed and cater for as well!

Thanks - sorry to rant on but just my suggestion.

kath20

No, you are not alone. I wish you luck.

Louise20000

Have you thought about getting another little part time job say working in a bar 2 nights a week - one mid-week and one over the weekend. I used to work in a nightclub Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in addition to my full time day job - it was pretty tiring but I had great fun and had a laugh with the people I worked with - we also used to go out promoting at the weekends and that was more money. I don't know how long you have been in your current job but how about asking for a pay rise if you think its due - if you haven't had a rise in more than a year - then ask they can only say no! Also think about the nightclub thing - believe me its fun and you get in for free on your nights off so a saving there. In fact just thinking about it now makes me think it was some of the best times of my life even though I was in debt - I was still getting out and socialising.

All the best to you

david_hellier

One of the main problems people experience when they start budgeting is that their social life seems to disappear and your friends seem to be enjoying luxuries etc. This can be a shock. You have to remember your friends are experiencing overspending too, unless they are exceptionally rich.

All I can suggest is you work out a budget and work out how much each week you can spend on non essentials including food. Write down this amount each week in a little book. Deduct what you spend, whether this is by credit card (avoid if possible), debit card, cheque or a cash withdrawal. Each week, as long as you spend less than you allow (even by a penny) you are in control. There really is no alternative. If you spend more than you earn, you end up in debt. I have some spare books that I use. I can send you one if you want.

flushfolder

brisck1 wrote:

I earn what seems like a good wage, more than most people I know, but unlike them I am constantly broke. I just cant figure out why, when all my friends and family are splashing out on holidays, clothes, TV’s DVD players and other luxuries i'm sitting at home stressing out about scraping through the next month after all the bills and rent have been paid.

I earn £1037 (after tax, NI and student loan) a month and out of that £385 is rent and the majority of the rest pays my bills and car loan.

Now you are probably thinking I just don’t save efficiently on goods and other areas and that I need to sit down and figure out how and where I can save money. Well, 3 months ago (and with help from this site) I did just that. I cut out any luxuries I had left and watched what I was spending like a hawk. Now although I saved some money each month by doing this, i’m still nowhere near to thinking about planning a holiday or even buying myself some clothes (which I haven’t been able to buy for over a year now). In-fact, the little money I have left at the end of the month I feel I should save in case something expensive happens (car maintenance etc).

The result of all this is I just don’t have any fun or excitement in my life anymore. I just don’t understand how I’ve ended up like this when all of my other friends are buying houses and holidays and George Foreman’s lean mean grilling machines on lower or equal wages than I earn.

I just look at my wage slip, and at the £400 which comes out each month for student loans, tax NI etc and I just imagine how much better my life would be if I had that bit extra at the end of each month.

What on earth am I doing wrong? Am I the only one with this lifestyle?

im brand new to this site and this is my first reply so apologies if i mess up.
briksie baby, you are certainly not alone.
i read all of the articles and the people here have some great ideas, the problem is i came to the site wanting a quick fix. i now know that there aint no such thing. you have to start saving and these guys can help.
i know some of the stuff seems a bit strange and you wont immediatly see the benefit, but you have YOUTH!!
take these ideas onboard and go for it, otherwise you will end up forty-odd and looking in chatrooms for a miracle like me!
best of luck fella.