I really want to fix everything...

**newstart**_2

Hi everyone,

I've been a memeber of this site for a few years, but have created a new username for this for privacy

The thing is I'm not that happy at the moment. About a few different things, my finances being one of them. I just think if I can get things in order I could feel happier about everything else

There's no reason I should be in this position. I have a well paid job (for my age/experience)

I graduated from uni just over a year ago & have been employed ever since. But I have a student overdraft up to its limit (although 0%) and a few credit cards with relatively small amounts.

I've been very careful with food shopping the last couple of weeks and think I'm getting the hang of it. The thing although I used to be really organised with money, OH isn't and I think it's rubbed off on me....

I'm also down about my relationship with OH at the moment tbh but I'm hoping it will get back to normal soon

Sorry for rambling. I'm a bit upset by it all this morning. I'm open to any suggestions, I really want to fix it and you all seem such a friendly bunch. Some of your diaries are amazing

**newstart**_2

oh yeah and I've put on like five thousand stone

(well almost...)

rising_from_the_ashes

Hi newstart

Post up a Statement of Affairs http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html with your income / outgoings / debts on - it lets others get a better picture of exactly what's going on / where savings can be made etc.

**newstart**_2

Hi rising,

Thanks for replying. I've had a look at the SOA & will have a go at it. My OH's salary changes monthly due to commission so do you think I should put the minimum? Although tbh i think one of the problems is he treats his money as his and i treat mine as ours. Most of the time he earns a few 100 more than me a month, although sometimes much more, and sometimes but rarely less than me.

Also I wrote down some figures last week and it doesn't make any sense because I should have money left over..

**newstart**_2

ok i've done it, but haven't included food because i don't know tbh and want to cut it down, entertainment the same & i haven't bought any clothes in about a year...

So I've just put everything if that's ok


and tbh it's awful isn't it i don't know what i'm doing wrong when other people on here seem to manage so well on less


Household Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household.........
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1750
Partners monthly income after tax....... 2000
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 3750

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 1020
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 100
Electricity............................. 66
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 15
Mobile phone............................ 35
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 17.21
Groceries etc. ......................... 300
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 45
Road tax................................ 18
Car Insurance........................... 57.13
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 30
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 220
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 15
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 250
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
OH's overdraft interest ................ 30
gym..................................... 66
Total monthly expenses.................. 2316.34


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 900
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 900

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
capital one ...................2057.7....103.......38.08
tesco mastercard ..............189.64....12........19.94
natwest student cc.............375.37....10........0
rbs student cc.................429.22....9.69......0
Total unsecured debts..........3051.93...134.69....-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 3,750
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 2,316.34
Available for debt repayments........... 1,433.66
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 134.69
Amount left after debt repayments....... 1,298.97

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 900
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -3,051.93
Net Assets.............................. -2,151.93

rising_from_the_ashes

2 options with the commission ..... put in his basic salary (as obviously the commission isn't guaranteed & varies) or work out his commission over the last year and divide by 12.

If you should have money left but don't (mine does this too;)), try keeping a spending diary for a month and writing down everything and seeing where it goes - the odd £10 here & there really does add up. HTH

**newstart**_2

and my flat is a mess and full of carp- i could ebay it but not sure anyone would want anything ... also i've nver ebayed and looking at that forum it seems people are wary of newbies...

rising_from_the_ashes

Sorry but you really need to include something for groceries & entertainment - make a rough guess - do you have receipts for the last month you could look at?

There's also a lot else missing eg petrol/diesel, contents insurance, car maintenance, presents, haircuts etc.

I'm afraid you need to put some figures against all of these for a true picture.

Also to get the best suggestions on where to start, the APRs for the debts are needed .... (sorry)

Don't panic, the debts not huge and with a complete picture on your SOA I'm sure we can find some bits to cut down on / advise which debts to start with etc.

**newstart**_2

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Sorry but you really need to include something for groceries & entertainment - make a rough guess - do you have receipts for the last month you could look at?

There's also a lot else missing eg petrol/diesel, contents insurance, car maintenance, presents, haircuts etc.

I'm afraid you need to put some figures against all of these for a true picture.

Also to get the best suggestions on where to start, the APRs for the debts are needed .... (sorry)

Don't panic, the debts not huge and with a complete picture on your SOA I'm sure we can find some bits to cut down on / advise which debts to start with etc.

Thanks Rising & thanks for your patience. I will dig out some statements and look at my online banking (can you tell I hate looking at it? )

paulmapp8306

As well as groceries, you need to add petrol and car maintenance. You have insurance and road tax so presume you are running a car. Maint is roughly £30 pm, based on standard MOT, Servicing at £100, Brake pads and tyres every two years. you need to include clothing - just because you havent bought any in the last year, you will still need some at some point, along with shoes etc. Budget a small amount per month - say £20. Thats enough for a pair of shoes and a couple of summer and winter outfits per year. Do you not have contents insurance? if you dont you really need to get some TBH. If you have, budget for it. Id put the Gym in entertainments, and maybe increase the whole thing to £80? also you need to budget for presents, haircuts and emergency funds.

Its amazing how all these add up, even with small amounts.

**newstart**_2

Thanks Paul, I'm working on in at the moment- No I dont have contents insurance, you're right we need to get it- I've buried my head in the sand about too many things for too long...

I paid a lot out for the car when it last had its MOT in June so maybe it would be a good idea to put £30 aside each month purely for car hiccups- luckily i need it, we use the tube for work- although i would hate hate to part with it