How can I save?

AliceBanned

dark^knight wrote: »

Hi,

You need to think about looking for a better paid job. This will help you in the long term. Of cource, it goes without saying, you still need to make sure you're keeping your expenditure in control.

There many things you can:
1, Budget
2, Keep a spending diary
3, Sell things you don't need

...for starters.

Thanks Dark Knight. I am looking at budget and selling things now already. Responding to later posts on how it's going. thanks for responding.:)

AliceBanned

assj wrote: »

You seem to have a lot of money for entertainment and holidays, remember you don't have to spend this. I earn the same as you and have to pay for two adults, 1 child and a lot more. I think you are doing okay, there is not much more you can do unless you give some things up, maybe even clothing?

Hi, thanks I agree. I kind of estimated for clothing and holidays, which is silly as it is my choice. I'm going to re-do the SOA. I bought lots of clothes over the last 2 years, mainly for work, as I felt v scruffy, and before that was very frugal. Now I have a good wardrobe and it isn't a necessity to be honest. I can manage for at least six months without buying anything new, maybe longer. Holidays I need to give a bit more thought on as I'm quite isolated and hols help me a lot, I usually go on group ones and they are quite a bit more expensive sometimes. Working on it at least for the short term. :cool:

AliceBanned

Thanks Mildredalien. I am cutting clothing budget to £0 for a while, maybe six months. I am going to redo my SOA. I don't know why I felt I needed more clothes, I have sufficient for the time being as I bought quite a lot, mainly for work but some for going out, over the past year or two. I will manage with those for some time and save my money. I can also cut down my food budget to £120 per month or maybe less, am working on this. I haven't been watching what I spend or sticking to any budget for some time, just lack of discipline. I have grown my hair as I used to spend £60 every six weeks on a decent haircut. It feels a mess sometimes but even so I'm not having it cut as often, I'll just tie it back for a while longer and then treat myself when I can. Thanks for your help. ps I get three course meal at work which is why I def can cut back on shopping bill! I take this for granted but actually it's quite a big saving, in time as well as money. I never go shopping at lunchtime anyway.

AliceBanned

mildredalien wrote: »

Oh, and just a thought - is it worth getting rid of the car if you need to get public transport into work anyway? That would be an extra £500 in your pocket (could pay off a CC in full even!) and an extra £200 quid a month spare. You could work out whether getting public transport or getting shopping delivered etc. could work out cheaper overall?

Afraid I'd be extremely isolated without a car. Wish i could, i didn't have a car when I lived in London but I live on the edge of a town, no buses at night, and loads of reasons why. i cycle to shops sometimes, but for going out in the evening and getting to the station in the morning I need a car. I agree that's why travel is so expensive; I need both. Would be more sensible for me to get work in another town or city that I could drive to (ie not London). I will be looking into this but then I lose the Inner London Weighting anyway so it is usually cancelled out. I manage by driving a very old car which costs very little in repairs and maintenance and obviously i don't need a HP agreement; I paid £400 cash for it six years ago and so it's done me quite well.

AliceBanned

vka1 wrote: »

Hey,


First of all, well done for posting your SOA. Secondly, take a deep breath and digest.


Hearing folk's feedback isn't easy, but stick with it. Once a day or two have passed, it will all be easier to read. Not everything will be relevant to you as we all live differently, as another poster said re holidays etc, it's all about what matters to you.


Everyone's lives are tough for different reasons, and being a single girl isn't easy. Research shows living costs per head are between £3- 5.5k more expensive for single folk than someone in a couple as there's noone to split the bills with. There's also noone to help sort this stuff out with. Stick with us.


Keep your entertainment costs – you need to see people and not be isolated, particularly if, as your earlier comments suggest, you've had depression or some such. Connecting with people is a priority. So, maybe it's the clothes or the holidays or the groceries that need to be cut back instead.


Anyway, there's my tuppence worth. Try to take all feedback on the chin for now. It's meant well, even if the tone sometimes seems a bit strong, no nuance in messages boards!


Posting was the right thing to do,


Vx

Many thanks vka1. I think I am able to cut back on food and clothes ; mentioned in my earlier responses today. You are right about compromises and I do need to just accept this. I was feeliing particularly bad recently in particular as for several months now I've reached my overdraft limit before next payday. Having said that I managed on my last £30 this time. Part of my problem is using overdraft and credit cards for living expenses, ie not budgeting, just spending, even if not on treats, just spending more than I could if I didn't have the cards. Will be working on another SOA and doing my best to stick to the budget for at least six months, and hopefully will then feel better about my life and myself and won't feel I'm going nowhere. I also won't be letting the banks get the better of me as I've done in the past - I can see myself repeating old bad habits so thanks for your support - it is difficult alone at times and it seems like a relentless struggle but it is helpful to share it here.:)

AliceBanned

googler wrote: »

The budget says you're £70 short to of repaying debts each month, yet you're spending these;

Clothing................................ 100
Other travel............................ 265
Haircuts................................ 25
Entertainment........................... 100
Holiday................................. 50

Total £540 per month where savings could be made - if you can save more than £70 on these, you start to clear your feet.

Do you really need to acquire £100 worth of NEW clothes per month?
If you cut down on other travel (what is this, if it's not included in your car and petrol expenses?) .....
Could you get your hair done bi-monthly, instead of monthly?
Entertainment and holidays can be sacrificed. Can't they?

Thanks googler; very helpful and I'm re-working my SOA.

sydneybean

Hi AliceBanned
just want to say good luck on your debt free journey its great to see you back
x

AliceBanned

Hermia wrote: »

OP - I don't think anyone on here is being unsupportive, but I think we all just feel that there is no point whinging when you could just be getting on with it. People are pointing out the good things you have (okay salary, amazingly cheap rent) just so that you can see you have something positive on your SOA. We all know how hard it is - we wouldn't be on here otherwise! I live alone and can relate to what you say. When I compare what I pay in rent and utilities compared to the couples I know it's not great. I also have exactly the same problem that you have in that rent near where I work is high, but living further away means more travel bills. The only way I manage to save money (and pay for the few things that really matter to me) is being very frugal in other areas.

You say you need to go out and have holidays because you are on your own and don't want to be stuck at home. I have lots of single friends who have very hectic social lives, but don't spend a lot. I have one friend who has three holidays a year fairly cheaply. You say you have a season ticket for the train. Are there any places you can go to using the season ticket at the weekend? If you are imaginative you can have a good social life without spending a fortune. And you can look good without buying clothes every month!

Ultimately there is no point whinging and complaining. You just have to get on with it. The problem with being angry and bitter is that it takes all your energy. You know, I spent yesterday working with people with special needs and it was absolutely exhausting, but really helped them and their carers. Yet, I earn £30k less than my cousin who has some non-job in PR (even he cannot explain what he actually does!). But, what do I gain by sitting around getting annoyed by it all? Nothing. Once you let it all go you can have a clear look at your situation and try to improve it.

Hi Hermia - I don't buy clothes every month, far from it! That was just an estimate/what I want rather than an aim as part of a budget, so I'm now going to change it to £0 for at least six months. .Thanks for your advice about attitude as well, I do struggle with it but these sort of responses will probably help me in the end. Holidays are quite important as I didn' have any for several years when I was temping, and now get 30 days' leave. Not very good at choosing hols though as I usually go with organised group tours - more expensive so any recommendations from anyone would be very welcome.

AliceBanned

sydneybean wrote: »

Hi AliceBanned
just want to say good luck on your debt free journey its great to see you back
x

So nice of you to say, Sydneybean, thank you. I was scared to read any more responses but to be honest I was very sensitive and down at the point when I first posted about this. I can't run away from reality.

zcrat41

Hi Alice Banned,

Just wanted to say that I have been there as a single and spent money on my social life. I do think its hard sometimes for the smug marrieds to understand how lonely life can be especially if family are a long way away.

Its not for everyone but I found a bit of a lifeline by joining a local church - lots of free and cheap social life plus some lovely new friends. Is there anything you could do to provide that social contact for free? Book clubs or getting involved in community stuff.

Good luck

ZC