Not so much of a lightbulbt moment, more a sick feeling in the gut!!

cattie1

Broken_hearted wrote:

Sorry cattie but I don't buy into the idea that people need credit cards, if you can't afford to live without them then you certainly can't afford to have one. I've been there, where I was paying the mortgage with the credit card.

yeah I agree with you, it's a vicious circle.
I just understand when you are struggling the easy option is to use the credit card:o but it just ends up making everything worse.:rolleyes:

atypicalblonde

... go to lensplanet.com... the lenses on there are really cheap, I have ended up paying £6 a month for mine inc. solution.... hope it helps xx

PigginSkint

Hello - I've been a bit quiet lately but for what it's worth, here's a hug:grouphug: I know how you feel!

I would just like to say 2 things. Firstly looking at your SOA it could be a lot worse - your income seems to be higher than your regular outgoings. Mine is the other way round! Secondly, I know it's hard, but is there any chance you could manage without your car? It's amazing how much money is sucked out of your bank account by trying to keep a car on the road. This is the voice of bitter experience speaking here! I sold mine at the beginning of last year (and not replaced, I might add!) and when I worked out how much I had spent on it just in the previous 12 months I could have cried!

Just keep hanging on in there and try to make little differences here and there - you'll be surprised what a bit difference it can make.

whatatwit

Mrs Bellamy, before you go shopping, how about doing a storecupboard challenge?
Have a look to see what you have already, including the freezer, and meal plan for the week. This should highlight what you need to buy to complete each meal.
Make a list for the week and stick to it (says she).
If you double on some things, bolognaise or chilli, for example, the rest can be frozen and there's something for next week.
Have you found the old style board yet, some of the recipes are great.

I think your idea of ditching the contract is great, when the minutes are there, we find any excuse to use them.

lynzpower

hi there
your best bet if you always buy too much is to have a good turn out of your cupbards and see how long you can stretch it out for using everything up.

If you have a look over on the Old Style board theres LOADS of ideas on cheap eating. I reckon you can easily save 150 quid off your shopping bill every month, with good planning and no wastage.

good luck

Imelda

hi Mrs B,

Have you heard about the freezer trick for credit cards? Where you put them in some water and freeze them, you still have them but have time to think (ie while they are defrosting) before spending on them.

Other than that all I can suggest is checking out that you are getting all the benfits you are entitled to and trying to cut that food shopping back.

Keep us posted on how you're doing!

all_hours

What are the APRs on your cards?
What's the length and APR of the loan and how many more payments to go. Edited to say notice you've already added the end date.

income 1,043.33
outgoings 782.34

balance 260.99

debt payments 213.00 (133.00 + 80)

balance 47.99

I work out that you have 47.99 to use to budget for car tax, xmas presents and overpay your cards. This is without any changes to your SOA.

You might find it better if you and your husband worked out a joint SOA and tackled the debt problems together.

southernscouser

mrs_bellamy wrote:

sorry didnt explain. Partner works. He pays the mortgage and I pay everything else. He knows we are not flush with cash, he has his own debts and is not in a position to help (and I dont think I would ask)

As its payday, Its also shopping today. i usually do a months cupboard shop then weekly fresh shop. is this gonna be the best way?

Welcome aboard Mrs B!

Please don't take this the wrong way but you need to talk to your OH. I know you said he has his own debts to pay but if he earns more than you and has more surplus money than you after his own bills then he needs to help you out more as you are only going to get into more debt while he could 'frittering' money away if you get what I mean?

As others have said the food bill is high. From what I've read you really could cut that in half! :eek:

How many cars do you have as I noticed the insurance and petrol? Do you have 1 each?

The good news is you only have 10 months to go before the loan is finished. And you should try and overpay on the DOP storecard as this will no doubt have the highest APR.

But please please cut the cards up! You are spending on them because you can, not becuase you need to! By not having them to rely on you will start to value your money more and be more careful.

mrs_bellamy

thanks for all the words of wisdom, guys.

Actually feeling a bit more positive for a change. I need to buy fresh veg and the likes, but gonna keep it down and meal plan for the rest of the week tonight. (know i dont need ketchup for at least a year!!!LOL)

Also gonna have a serious think about cutting up one of the cards (its a start, and I do trust you lot, so what you say, goes!) It shames me to think I need to gear myself up for that! The freezer trick is too easy to rectify for me. I would take it out of the freezer, put it in a bag and let it defrost on the way to the shops. (LOL, I've even thought of a get out route! now that a spender!!)

I work part time so will be off in a bit, but will be back later, hopefully with a grown up idea of what i am gonna do (not a giggle and 'increase the card limit?' )

Thanks for being so understanding. I know I am not the worst for debt, but it sure feels like it at the mo! IYKWIM!
Mrs B x

all_hours

I have been paying £100 to each of the cards, but by the end of the month I am skint and spending on them to get through.

I think you're trying to pay them off with money you don't have. So you end up putting bills back on the cards.