Im 19 and really down because of debt!

asbokid

It makes me feel sick to read about a genuine young man who is working hard and yet still finds himself struggling, living hand-to-mouth to pay for a very modest set of overheads.

Welcome to New Britain. Not much different to Feudal Britain of the Middle Ages, or even Ireland in the Famine, with absent English landlords screwing Irishmen of their very last cents as they drove them to their graves. This country is a disgrace.

I would cut out the Sky. It's a complete extravagance. Why bankroll "Sir" Rupert Murdoch? Don't pay him anything. Just get Freeview or FreeSat. You can be sure that you won't miss much, not even the Royal Goon Show next week.

Maybe you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit on account of your low income? Moving in with that chick could save some serious cash.

Be cautious about selling the car. The cost of changing, the risk of buying a Pig-In-A-Poke, and the depreciation since you've bought it could leave you significantly out of pocket.

Definitely axe the Vodafone contract. £720 a year on cellphone calls is money burned! Keep a cellphone for essential calls only. Budget on £5 a month or less for your mobile. Place all other calls through a free VOIP account.

Keep up fella! Don't let it get you down. Don't forget it's only money. You've got your health and your youth. Most old farts would give everything to have those things back!

mwr789

I can't give the sim to anyone else as everyone I know has there own contract, I've looked around to find someone to take the contract over but no one wants just a sim.
This country is very much a mess, if I was to not work I could probably live better On benefits but where's the pride?!

I am now keeping a spending diary to see how much I spend, I think I will be in for a shock with all the 40p's here and there adding up!

I have found car insurance for 73 pounds a month now so gotta see if I can get the deposit.

Keep them coming guys some good ideas I can't thank ALL of you enough, I also don't feel so down

bouncydog1

I really admire your guts - not easy to have to manage on your own at 19 and on a low wage.

However, for me a couple of things do stand out - your phone, sky t.v. and car. Those things are nice to have but not essentials at 19. You really must speak to Vodaphone about the phone your ex-friend has and try and come to some arrangement with them to reduce the payment. On the Sky, as others have said, dump it - £60 per month is huge particularly when on a low income.

On your car insurance, you have found somewhere cheaper but when is your policy up for renewal - don't be tempted to cancel it to save money mid term, particularly if you are paying monthly. You are highly likely to be hit by short term rates and cancellation fees. You have managed a lift share for 4 weeks - would this be possible in the long term - your ratio of car costs to wage is ridiculous.

Keep going - you have a huge bonus is that you have recognised early on that debt can be hard to manage - there is a lot more to life than having the latest phone, car, sky t.v., holidays etc. Just think what a good feeling it will be in your early 20's to have a little bit of money tucked away when most of your mates are likely to be struggling with debt.

Vodafone

Hi mwr789,

I’m sorry to see the situation you’re in at the moment and I understand how difficult this will be for you.

Regarding your Vodafone account, if you’d like to email us via Web Relations Team we’ll be happy to look into this for you.

(When contacting, please quote the code WRT135 in the subject line. In the main message body, please include a link to this thread and your user name. This will ensure that your message comes directly through to my team).

Kind regards,

Jenny
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

GeorgieFTB

mwr789 wrote: »

I can't give the sim to anyone else as everyone I know has there own contract, I've looked around to find someone to take the contract over but no one wants just a sim.
This country is very much a mess, if I was to not work I could probably live better On benefits but where's the pride?!

I am now keeping a spending diary to see how much I spend, I think I will be in for a shock with all the 40p's here and there adding up!

I have found car insurance for 73 pounds a month now so gotta see if I can get the deposit.

Keep them coming guys some good ideas I can't thank ALL of you enough, I also don't feel so down

Chin up!!! You are actually ahead of the curve, just take a look on this board, there was a thread not long ago asking how long everyone had been in debt for, most asnwered that it all started in their late teens. Thats where you are and you have checked yourself, well done!:T

The only tip I have for you is to mossey along to the old style board to learn all the tricks and tips you can for living frugally. You're sky bill is high but if you want it then say to yourself you will have to work for it, all you need to do is save yourself/make £2 a day!!!

Good luck
Gx

rictus123

I seen the thread and most took on debt before the age of 21 and still were in 40's!! Iv been in £15k of debt and im only 19 aswel...such a lesson to be learned. You only ever learn in life when you make mistakes. Consider yourself lucky you have time on your side to get out of debt and get some savings behind you.