debt realisation

swirl_2

thanks, have just filled in application for this online, reply said they will email me in a few days with decision. i got my barclaycard on a 0 & transfer and then spent on it, an worse still got cash out on it!!! thats where the high interest rates have come from, i think i've learned my lesson, i'll do what this site says - transfer then never use it again!!

also no help with school dinners cos of my wage.

taxi73

Just like to say hi and welcome,
you've made a good start ..I totally agree with the other posters and haven't got a lot more to add at this stage except your gas and electric are horrendous...maybe you could look into changing them via one of the cashback sites...a lot of the other stuff has been covered and the OS board is a godsend for saving money

LJD1_2

The best advice i was given was to keep the spending diary. It was only when I did this that I realised how much money I waster.

All the best with sorting out your finances.

webitha

hi

can you kids take packed lunch as £80 would be better use to paying off debts they are old enuf now to know you financial status i told DS 8 would prediciment and he ws very understanding, is now also a very keen MSEr martin would be proud of him he haggles in shops and everything LOL

they are also old enuf to get paper rounds/sat work then they can pay for their own meals thus showing them the value of money

and if you have to smoke roll your own as it is loads cheaper

and read papers online as its free

lynzpower

I agree about cutting down those food costs.

the 5.50 tv is digital telly- thats actually free. you can get a freeview box for 20 quid & watch these channels on that forever for free. Great youve got a half price deal , but in the next few months you should look over on the telphones & iunternet board for better deals.

Do look at quidco too. its a cash back site. if ytou change suppliers, you get moneback through them for using it.

I also think, I would look at habving some sort of insurance, as you are on a very tight budget if the worst happened where would you live? How would you cope? I dont spend money unneccesarily but if someone broke into my flat and nicked myy telly/bed/ fridge, i simply wouldnt have the money to replace them. Do you own your house or rent? if you rent, contents insurance can be just a couple of quid a month.

Where do you go on your nights out with the gilrs? Have you ever considered mystery shopping - IM taking a lucky MSEr out for 3 courses & a bottle of wine on monday and getting paid for it and the meal is paid for. theres LOADS of pub meals etc on my local one. you get paid for eating free food? Cant be bad. Or what about going to bingo a few times? My mate goes on the unpopular nights ( mon tues) where she gets the whole night for a fiver, drinks are cheap she says and she always comes away with something, even if its a prize she doesnt want- she ebays it or sticks it in her car boot pile. Theres loads of free cinema tickets as well ( take your own sweets!)

swirl_2

good news have been accepted for hsbc 15 months 0%, they are sending me out a form to sign, so my barclaycard debt (£1855) can go on that and at least the money i pay each month will not all go on interest.

will check out quidco, also gonna look at changing gas and electricity suppliers am with british gas for both at the moment. your right will buy freeview box when the 3 months haf price offer has finished.

am stayin in this weekend to study the info on this site, anyway am going to be starting a 7 month course jan 27th (saturdays and weds evening) as well as working full time so wont have much time for going out so that will save some money!

also set the timer for the first time on my central heating, i used to leave it on low all the time thinking that would be cheaper.

my problem has been for the last few years i never thought about budgeting cos if my wages were spent i just got cash out on my credit cards!!!! never again!

will look up the mystery shopping, sounds good.

kids aren't too bad, they dont have mobiles, arent into designer clothes (thank god). they just like music and going on the computer. they dont get pocket money as such but ask for a few quid here and there. my spending diary will enable us all to see how much. they also go to their dads every weekend, so that saves me money. god i'm starting to wonder where my money does go!

thanks for all the advice its great.

clarab_3

sounds like you are making great inroads!

have you seen the snowball calculator? its here http://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx

if you put in your 4 debts, and just how much you can afford each month towards them, it really shows you the way ahead and how soon you can be free... gave me a right good kick it did!

dancingfairy

Hi - is there any way you can get the teenagers to have packed lunches? This would save you loads. Perhaps you can use some of the money you save to give to them for pocket money as a way to persuade them and they can use some of it on school dinners if they want? eg save £80 on dinner money give them £10 a month pocket money (or less) and buy some food for packed lunches for them I reckon you'd still save some money and they'd learn the value of money and having to save for things they want etc?

Are you on family tax credits?

swirl_2

get child tax credit £27 (forgot to put that on my incomings), not working tax credit as earn over the amount for it.

have just read this on another thread: "Live off your fridge, freezer, and pantry. No shopping - no impulse buys." gonna do that this week as have got loads still left from xmas. i'll just need to top up on milk, bread and spuds.
then the following week, i'm off to lidl.

gonna give boys £1.50 day each and they can bring squash with them in a bottle, will save £20 a month.
stayin in today on this site has already saved me money, i live right next to the a busy high street with loads of shops its veeerry temting to have a quick look in new look etc..

swirl_2

received forms today for hsbc card 15 month 0%, filled it in straight away and sent it this evening. just reading around this site before i do a loan transfer for the lloyds £4830 at 10.9%, didnt realise you get caught out for early repayment, but if i could change to the m&s 3.9% (if i get accepted) then it would be worth it, i think! still learning!! have checked out gas and elec and atlantic has been quoted as my cheapest option, so gonna change to that. raiding the cupboards has gone well this week so has my spending diary, even walked to work the last 2 mornings (even though i've got a cold and bad throat!) it only took twenty mins so might do it more often, might help with the weight loss as well! am reading papers online instead of buying them, never sent off another yearly subscription to glamour magazine (mostly adverts in it anyway)have actually enjoyed the challenge of not spending much. have been invited to a wedding, and two 40th parties this month but am declining them as really need to tighten up the purse strings, not gonna become a hermit! but am determined to sort finances out.