Upsetting comments on another board - but are they right

barbiedoll

We bought a DVD recorder from ebay (new) for £30. It pauses and rewinds live tv, you can record programmes onto the hard drive and although it's not exactly high-end, it does all of the things that the Sky+ and Virgin V+ boxes do. (Apparently it does record onto DVD too but we just cannot be bothered to read the enormously complicated manual!)

We cut down to a basic tv package when we started our DMP and we really don't miss the channels that we dropped. Most good stuff ends up on a free channel sooner or later and I find that I'm always recording stuff which I never get around to watching anyway.

£46 is a lot for tv services but maybe OP doesn't smoke? Or have pets? She has sold her car so I think that she has made sacrifices in order to pay her debts. At least her Sky bill has gone down. Unlike her food bills, her energy costs and probably her housing costs.

No, I don't think the comments were entirely fair.

Sue-UU

Hi Mrs D, good to see you clawing your way back. Time now to keep cutting back as far as is possible. With everything you have and aren't sure about, ask yourself "Do I need it or do I want it?" If it really is a necessity and you could not live life without it then it stays.

However, if it falls into the want category then surely it can go and bring your debt cessation closer by a year or so. Needs and wants or what we need to look closely at with whatever we buy, so always raise the question in your mind and you'll be ok.

All the very best with cutting costs and paying less over the top to those who have plenty already!

Sue x

binnie

We can't get Freeview here yet, we are still on analogue

bluenoseam

I'm afraid i'm one of the ones who'd also point out the obvious. Sky is a luxury, if you're "up to your eyeballs and beyond" then ultimately you understand that priority would be to lessen the impact of debt, it might not seem an awfull lot just now, but when you look at it longer term - £46 per month is £552 per year you could be using to pay off your debt. I can understand why you don't want to do this, but consider the fact that if you do cancel it you can still use the box as a freesat reciever (http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/) - and one can only assume that you have a decent amount of DVD's you can watch if it's movies you particularly like. Even if you are reluctant to fully give up the basic package is £20 a month which gets you Entertainment mix & something else (such as Music/Kids). The reality is too that with the advent of "on demand" tv you can also probably find most of your favourites online too - would this be an option?

Like i said, not my debt nor my life and it's just how i'd see it - i know i'd prefer the extra cash payin off since long term it will likely save you thousands in interest over the course of the DMP.

Pixiechic

I think that having Sky at £46 a month is too much, especially as you are in so much debt. It is a 'luxury' item that to be quite frank, you can't afford.

Anyway, I think that I could do more with my life on less than that a month too. Other things can entertain than just sitting in front of the box. It is your debt, your money and your decision though, up to you!

d123

I don't see Sky as a out and out luxury anymore, without it we would probably spend more going out through the month but £46 seems a lot, £72 is mad (for anyone looking to save money).

The basic Sky package is about £20, and even including all the basic mixes still only costs around £24 per month. The OP seems to be paying an excessive amount, even after their reduction.

StrongWork

Sky is on the whole pretty rubbish and certainly not worth almost £50 per month. Freeview is quite acceptable, plus you'll always have iPlayer and 4OD.

Save your cash, buy some books. You might learn something rather than watching the latest celebrity on ice singing factor special. In addition, >£500 gets some nice Christmas prezzies come December time or provide and excellent pot for special occasions/rainy days.

SWALLOW

10 years is a long long haul and I bet if you were to look at the spending habits of some others in their situations you could find plenty to point the finger at.
If catching a particular TV show or a movie takes your mind of this situation for a short while then keep your connection. You may find that after a checking out some of the other suggestions made here you wish to change it anyway but don't let those comments stay with you, you have enough on your mind to be dealing with.

And please don't forget to share your achievements along the way it is always inspiring to read of people taking control of their situations.

fozmcfc

Sky is definately a luxury for someone who needs 10 years in DMP.

I would try to give it up and go the freesat route.

If after 6 months to a year you simply can't live without it, then maybe get it back but for as cheap as possible.

I myself have given up Sky and know others who have as well. Myself I don't miss it at all, it just made me realise how much rubbish is on there.

£552 a year, £5552 over 10 years, surely that has got to make a difference towards the debt.

Even if you don't put the £46 towards the debt, start to put it away and have it as rainy day money or use some of it after a year or so as a treat.

I can see what others are saying, it is like someone on a diet, they still are allowed the odd treat now and then, to help keep them on it. BUT if someone is really serious, then they would not normally have a treat until sometime after they have made inroads.

bottleofred

Hi Mrs Dumplin,

If you have given up everything else, I think you should keep the sky, but would say £46 is a bit excessive. HOWEVER, it appears to be your only form of entertainment at the minute and as you are not doing any other socialising think you deserve it. I can understand why some people think it's a luxury, but it's your life and your dmp. Well done on facing up to and paying your debts and good luck in your dmp journey.

Red