New Debt-Free Wannabe

cloudstrife_2

I would love to bike but I dont fancy biking 7-8 miles there and then 7-8 miles back again!

I was looking at the DMP option which I seem keen on, I did see a good quote somewhere 'you can't get rid of debt by adding to it' and as a loan is not an option anyway I have decided to hit my debts head on and sort them.

Is it easy to sort and pay with a DMP from your experience?

Nuclear_Tom

A DMP won't happen over night, and its important to remember that even if it all works out wonderfully for you, you should still stick to rigid MSE practise!!!

Hope things work out for you, you need to remain totally honest to yourself, and be disciplined and it will all be just fine!! Seems like you are well on the way to becoming debt free!

pudding06

Hi cloud,

How many is the £110 feeding and cleaning budget for?

If it for one you could problably reduce it.

you should definately be taking sandwiches or soup to work not buying lunch. It shouldnt cost you more than 3 quid a week to make your own, I do it for a lot less than that, depends on what you want.

I do sympathise with the traveling expenses. Is there noone who goes to your work who lives nearby and you can get a lift- you could then just contribute to petrol.
pudds

cloudstrife_2

No one goes my way In most cases they seem to employ people from the same town for each branch. Somehow they stuck me in a branch that is not in the same town as me, might look at a transfer, if they let me!

The feeding and cleaning budget is only for 1 and I popped in £60 when I did the online debt remedy with CCCS but it then advised I should put in a minimum of £110?!

I do understand the DMP won't make debt dissappear overnight and its something I need to work on, its changing my lifestyle really, telling myself (which I have over time) you can't spend what you aint got!

Thanks everyone for your pointers! And its homemade sarnies for lunch tomorrow!

Cloud

LookingAhead

Hi there cloudstrife.

Does the bus company not do a MONTHLY ticket then? They work out cheaper than weekly ones. I am surprised if they don't.

Can thoroughly recommend taking own lunches in. Once you get into the habit the thought of spending all that money per week on bought lunches is obscene!

That money would be a very handy additonal payment to get the debts down.

Can you EBAY anything/sell on Amazon?

cloudstrife_2

Oooh ebay, I do have a couple of things I could sell off, wouldn't get much but its worth a try.

I think last time I looked at monthly tickets it would only save a few quid.

Am off to ebay...

LookingAhead

Good luck EBAYing - every little helps as they say!

Also - so what if it's only a couple of quid off the bus ticket.....it's possibly £2 more off a debt....

SunderlandBlackCat

LookingAhead wrote:

Can thoroughly recommend taking own lunches in. Once you get into the habit the thought of spending all that money per week on bought lunches is obscene!

Totally Agree. Theres a woman who delivers sandwiches to where I work & I used to think her prices were reasonable but since I started doing my own lunches I can usually have an entire weeks for less than she charges for 1 sandwich.

tobedifferent

Whilst CCCS have recommended you put £110 down that does not mean you have to spend that much! I think it helps give you a bit of leeway in emergencies. get over to the OS board and get lots of ideas, menu plan and cook from scratch. You can get away with £75 or less including lunches.

I will say that the comment that its only a couple of quid is part of the problem. No offence as that was my problem also! I've now realised that I can only make big savings occasionally (changing car insurance, energy suppliers etc) but its the little savings that I can do daily which take very little time which add up to a lot over time. For example reusing teabags, washing plastic bags, using less hot water, switching off lights, not leaving things on standby. The tiny savings add up very quickly. Switching your mentality can help you make massive inroads in your debt. I'd recommend borrowing the Tightwad Gazette book from your library. Its very american but it is full of good ideas and more importantly helps you to come up with your own ideas on all the different ways you can save cash.

lynzpower

Telephone, Mobile, Internet: £60.00

COuld you break this down? It seems very high adn you can get cheaper, Im sure!