New to the forum - up debt creek - all advice welcome

_Persephone

Just an update. I still don't feel like I have broken the back of the debt yet, but I've got the right attitude towards finance now.

Obstacles yet to over come:
- Taking lunches into work - I rush around in the mornings with never any time to prepare stuff, and am so tired when I get in from work all I want to do is veg out.
- Meal planning, not copping out with takeaways
- NSDs - I tried this task last month and failed miserably! I seems spending is a comfort mechanism, even if it is 20p on a paper. Luckily I have counteracted this with mystery shopping, so the shop satisfies my need to spend, but I will later be reimbursed for it.

My latest SOA:

Again, all comments welcome!

x


Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1686
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1686

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 450
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 66
Electricity............................. 40
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 45
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 21
Groceries etc. ......................... 150
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 80
Road tax................................ 15
Car Insurance........................... 53
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 15
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 11
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 30
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 75
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1063


Assets
Cash.................................... 600
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 1300
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 1900

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Loan...........................1590......89........18.5
Credit card....................4740......75........27
Overdraft......................950.......1.........19
Barclaycard....................178.......5.........19.5
Mac............................900.......150.......0
Sofa...........................1195......46........0
Total unsecured debts..........9553......366.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,686
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,063
Available for debt repayments........... 623
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 366
Amount left after debt repayments....... 257

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 1,900
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -9,553
Net Assets.............................. -7,653

Created using the SOA calculator at https://www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

canidothis

Obstacles yet to over come:
- Taking lunches into work - I rush around in the mornings with never any time to prepare stuff, and am so tired when I get in from work all I want to do is veg out.
- Meal planning, not copping out with takeaways
- NSDs - I tried this task last month and failed miserably! I seems spending is a comfort mechanism, even if it is 20p on a paper. Luckily I have counteracted this with mystery shopping, so the shop satisfies my need to spend, but I will later be reimbursed for it.


Maing a sandwich literally takes a few minutes - Sunday afternoon could you make two lots of sarnies for Monday and Tuesday? - even if you take lunch for 2 days a week surely thats a start?

When you veg out in the evening grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down a few ideas for meals - plan easy meals eg chicken drumsticks on a roasting tray and a load of veggies bung in the oven and put your feet up:) If you cook extra drumsticks they can either be next days lunch or an even easier tea.

It all does take a bit of planning and putting time aside but once you start it becomes natural and to be honest its soooo worth it.

Good luck

_Persephone

Thanks! I really need to get on a lunch challenge. I have paid all my bills this month, and have £300 to get by on until the 27th. This includes petrol and electricity as well. I'm going to be as frugal as possible, as what ever is left over I can put towards the CC.

Also need to post a PPI claim. It's with Lloyds, so I'm feeling quite positive about it. It's for £470, but hopefully interest will be added on too.