I have 30k of debt and am desperate

Dumyat

less_debt_in_2007 wrote:

I meant per week

I wondered
have you visited the money old style board. they have lots of threads about reducing food bills and it doesnt mean a poor diet. if anything probably healthier.

less_debt_in_2007

CLAPTON wrote:

so some things that may be missing....clothes, kids related costs...pocket money, school activities, school meals, other activities, birthday presents, xmas costs,
car servicing, RAC/AA, MOT, allowance for repairs, any holidays, days out during holidays, dental/optical/medical,
your food spend of 70 seems unrealistically low ..are you sure that all you spend? any spedngin on magazine, newspapers, any work related costs..lunches /coffees

i'm sure a spending diary and looking back oveer the last year will help you identify where the money is all going.

d. do give full details of all the debts:
we need
debt amount, minimum monthly payments and APR
also do add up the total debt and the total minimum monthly repayment .

e. until the spending is fully understand and the debts detailed its impossible to see the best way of dealing with the debts.

You are so right. I no longer buy newspapers because they are delieverd free to my job (though I did buy the Sunday Times y'day for £2 ouch)
I do occasionally gor for a drink after work and those kids are forever prising money out of me. I didn't see it like that.
And every Friday we do get a takeaway - now yous all can see why I am in such bad debt - I'm usless with money, I'm going to keep a spending diary starting today.

Annie_Fanny

less_debt_in_2007 wrote:

I'm usless with money.

Please don't berate yourself - it won't help! Accept the past and move on. You can be great with money in the future. It is just another skill like any other.

Good luck!

less_debt_in_2007

dogrose wrote:

I wondered
have you visited the money old style board. they have lots of threads about reducing food bills and it doesnt mean a poor diet. if anything probably healthier.

The one thing I am good at is cooking from fresh with basic inexpensive ingredients which is why my shopping bill is relatively low. I also take advantage of BOGOFs and use as many vouchers/coupons as possible.
I am out at work all day and both myself and my children have a packed lunch so that keeps food bills low.

Dumyat

what about ebaying some stuff (I'm looking in to doing this)
or what about bank charges? had any you could get refunded?

people manage much less than that per week there...have to say I am in awe and try to do better than I do now

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=336388

Reformed

You will get through this. Everyone suggests writing everything you spend down, but it really does help. I go through my weekly spend (and my tesco bill) and highlight the 'unneccessarys,' I'm keeping to a budget so I don't overspend but there are definitely the odd things I don't really need and I could have used to throw at my debt.

There are plenty of clubs and organisations that you can be a part of without having to spend any money, as a single parent if your children are young this might be difficult if you don't have anyone to sit but perhaps you could host your childrens friends for the evening to give their parents a break and they could do the same for you every so often? Book clubs, amateur dramatics.

Whenever I get down about having debt I look around and realise its not so bad, getting outside and going for a walk is just enough to destress me.

Have you sold everything you have to sell on Ebay? Having a sort through makes you realise how much you don't need!

Don't worry, There is an end to this, you're on the right track by posting here -

less_debt_in_2007

I have Ebayed everything worth selling and the rest has been in the shed for the Car boot season. Thanks for your help. I have to go to my mum's for a New Years Dinner - wish me luck (she incessantly nags)!!
I'll go through everything with a fine tooth comb later and post what I have found.
I feel so much better already. Thank you

Dumyat

glad you are feeling better. you sound much more positive!
new year new beginnings and all that

Gordon_the_Moron

You haven't posted the APRs on the debts, could you cut any interest by moving money around on them, you said you can't get new credit but moving current debt around can save more than you'd think, look at it and do the sums.

Da Moron

Reformed

Good luck with your mum! Have a good lunch. Good you are feeling better, take care