just joined dfw yesterday

Little_Miss_Winner

Hi Chrystal,

Well done for posting, this is the hardest step to make, and you have done, so hat's off too you.:T

While you are looking for work, and obviously have access to a computer what about ebaying? I know you have a 2 yr old child, and you must have some things that can go on ebay?
Anything, clothes, toys, books, cds, dvds. ?

Today is 10p listing, so get listing!!!

dudleyboy

Morning Chrystal,

Don't worry about only having a few replies - late night posts don't always get thorough replies until the morning. sophiesmum has laid out your SOA clearly, so hopefully you'll get even more suggestions this morning.

First thing I notice is that you're paying a lot for broadband - this can be reduced. check out the main articles on cheaper broadband. You say your TV package has been cut off. I take it you have Sky or Cable. You don't need this - get Freeview instead - saving more money each month that you can use to clear your Halifax card, and then others after.

Have a look at the articles on 0% balance transfers or low cost life of balance transfers. This should help you out since, going by your APRs, at the moment you're not repaying any debt, only the interest charged by this bloodsucking companies!

Best of luck

lynzpower

hi chrystal and welcome

what Im going to do here is go through each and ever y point on your SOA and offer some quick bits of advice. If theres any questions you want to ask us after this, you can do

ok lemme nose

INCOME
income 248 month
partners income £1200 - £1440 month
child benefit £116 month
Total £1564.00 - £1804.00 ( lets use the lower figure then any overtime/ extras are a bonus!)

HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES

Mortgage £195
Poll Tax £98 ( apply for Council tax benefit, you might get a contribution)
Water £36
Broadband £24.99 ( this is high. tesco value do one for 13.97 a month & you get clubcard points)
Food £200 ( you might be able to bring this down a little, aim for spending 45pw, then 40 and see how low it can go. Go through all your cupbards, freezer etc, and work out how long you can go without buying things for. plan around what you have and only buy what you absolutely NEED)
Electric £32 ( is this put away. Id follow all tips on https://www.est.org.uk insulate everywhere you can, lights off when not in the room, use energy saving LBs etc)
Gas £40 ( as above, plus turn your thermostat on your boiler down a touch, you wont notice and will save you money)
Bus fares etc £120 ( wow this is high. is there any way you can use a bus card/ megarider etc)
Phone and tv cut off. ( Id cut the TV off permanently, you cant afford that. In the meanwhile, shop around for the cheapest deal. What have you had before? who has your phone line, how much were the bills- were you paying quarterly or monthly?

Total £745.99

DEBTS
Secured loan1 £344
Secured loan 2 £65
Safestyle windows £46
HFC £20
Barclaycard bal £500 24.9% £20
OH Barclaycard bal £500 27.9% £20
Halifax CC bal £998 £19 month
B&Q card £224 £14 month
Evans bal £500 £20month
Citicard bal £426 £13 month
Loan shark £230 approx £90 month ( is this a legitimate loan shark? where did you find them?)
Catalogue bal £150 agreement £40 month
Halifax £72 paying £20 month

I make even if you pay the min payments on everything you should be left with 87.01 lkeft over, to overpay debts with.

Do you ever have this, i suspect not.

I would start a spending dairy NOW. With every single penny you spend accounted for be it a newspaper, or a bag of crisps or a new frock.

I suspect what might be a good way of managing your money is that as you can just abvout break even paying the min with hubbys income, do that, then when you get back to work, ALL your salary can go to debt repayment.

Have you read the "great ways to cut back hunt" at the top of the page. it will take a while, but do take the time to read it. its full of ingenois ways of stretching the money out. Also do count up all your coppers if you have a copper jar. even if you only have apound there, better to put that to good use than leaving it sitting about.
Good luck & hang in there it will get better

Lynz

sophiesmum_2

Bumping so op can find post,and to get more help from any dfw's out there.:D

sophiesmum

iolanthe07

Great analysis and advice from Lynz, as usual. Another bump.

anniestar

Welcome you will get loads of advice on here. Good luck with your efforts to be debt free.

jenchin66

Bumpimg again

elantan

i think lynz has as always done a fantastic job i would deff start with the diary look at tondella's 31 day fly lady challenge (sorry i'm useless at links) it is gonna take us all though this step by step so that we dont get overwhelmed

elantan

oh and dont think your getting forgotten if no one replies sometimes ..this board moves so fast sometimes people dont get to see everything

taxi73

Hi and welcome ...a spending diary is a must ...everyone has already made the suggestions I would've made