My first time and I am very nervous!

Mrs_Sparkle

Hi Lisa and welcome! Join the club- there are a few of us recovering spendaholics on here. You can do it and we'll all help you x

hypno06

Hi and welcome. The danger here is that you cannot stop spending, and that there is always the temptation of doing so.

Perhaps it would help to address the reason WHY you have to spend. Why does it give you the buzz and is the idea to make you feel better etc. If it is an emotional issue that is bubbling under, then this needs tackling and perhaps a session with a counsellor or a life coach will help you address it.

There is little point in dealing with the effect, if you are not dealing with the cause. Debt is very rarely as simple as "I spent this in the past and I won't spend it again in the future". Most of us have bigger lessons to learn than that!!

Good luck!

saver03

Thank you for your help. There are probably lots missing from my outgoings and I will have to do the budget. But to answer the questions risen my partner's mum pays the council tax, the Tv licence and water is paid 12 months in advance but when that runs out I will do it monthly, I get my prescriptions free, I walk to work so there is no cost and I take my lunch. I do not need to buy anymore clothes as I have 6 wardrobes and a chest of drawers full!! I don't tend to spend much on presents as I have a box full of unwanted presents that I recycle! Don't think we can really cut down on the food bill as £25 a week for 2 does not go a long way when cleaning products and toiletries are inlcuded. The gas is a tricky one as we have the temperature as low as it will go without clicking off and we only have it on a couple of hours a day at the most. I am strict when it comes to the gas and I always insist on extra layers if either of us are feeling cold!! I agree with the cancelling as I have not been for a few weeks now and I also have an exercise bike at home just gathering dust! Can't really cut back on electric as not sure how we would short of sitting in the dark!! I do believe that the gas and electric are high but not sure if that is something to do with us being on card meters. I am also thinking of going on a pay as you go mobile and that should encourage me to spend less.

If there is any help that people can give me then I am open to suggestions.

lynzpower

Can't really cut back on electric as not sure how we would short of sitting in the dark!!

there are loads of small things you can do

1) have energy saving lightbulbs, each one can save you over £9 per year- cheap now everywhere and lots of free ones kicking about on the internet
2) make sure all lights are off when you are not using them. Im looking forward to loads more candles in my Xmas stockign
3. Use pan lids all the time- means yur food cooks quicker
4.only boil in the kettle the right amount of water for the tea your making

and so on and so on! theres millions of ideas for saving penny & planet https://www.est.org.uk

mizmir

lynzpower wrote:

and so on and so on! theres millions of ideas for saving penny & planet www.est.org.uk

Great site - thanks for the link Lynz!

saver03

Thanks for the link will check it out. I am sure there is loads more ways I can save energy that I have not thought of already. I am however vety strict when it comes to turning lights off!!! But must check out the energy saving bulbs.

neil40

You are a very lucky person to have a mum who will lend you £15000.That will take away the huge credit card interest charges!.Just stick to the plan and you will get there sooner than you think.Good luck.......Neil

kev84

I am on a card meter for my gas and electricity and it costs me roughly to heat a 2 bed flat £55 a month right now and for the electric is costs about£35- £40.

Best thing i think you can do for next year is to pay a fixed amount each month and get your meter in a lot of credit ready for winter 2007. Thats what im planning to do.

I have noticed a huge difference in price since i switched from powergen/british gas to npower for both.

Kevin

evie451

These card meters are a horrific price i only pay out £44 for both Gas and leccy for a 3 bed house. I know landlords like them but bloody hell is there any way to change it? Does anybody know if you can change suppliers or something?

lynzpower

agree with you evie these meters are a known rip off. I worked on the gas card helpodesk as a tep one Xmas, & was told that they charge more to the lower end ( ie meter owners) to make up for losses from people who dont pay thier bill.

Scum system.