Help with SoA

Mikazaru

Can you use the childrens savings to clear one of the cards when the interest kicks in? When your'e debt free you can then build the savings back up.
Have a look at the up your income board for some ideas for your wife to do at home.

drwho2011

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Yup, but you still need to think for the future - even if they last 5 years, the cost of replacing each one is likely to break down to at least £5 / month between them being new & that time (that's on a replacement cost of £300)

All the essentials have 5yr warrantees, e.g fridge/freezer/washing machine/cooker.

I do plan to start saving for their replacements one the CC's are all cleared

drwho2011

Mikazaru wrote: »

Can you use the childrens savings to clear one of the cards when the interest kicks in? When your'e debt free you can then build the savings back up.
Have a look at the up your income board for some ideas for your wife to do at home.

Can't make withdrawals till the end of the terms, but thats a good idea.

pleasedelete

Well only option I can see is that your partner gets a job . You don't have much to cut and so only option is to increase the income.

You don't need a tv package. Have you tried free view recently? I think the signals have been boosted. We get ours from 2 different transmitters. One was poor- 1 non existent. Since digital switchover one is 100 per cent and the other. Pretty decent. Loads of childrens tv free on the Internet/iplayer etc

Private medical care doesn't cover gps or prescription charges. Saying that my family of 4 haven't had a prescription in at least 6 years so I wouldn't save for it.

drwho2011

pleasedelete wrote: »

You don't need a tv package. Have you tried free view recently? I think the signals have been boosted. We get ours from 2 different transmitters. One was poor- 1 non existent. Since digital switchover one is 100 per cent and the other. Pretty decent. Loads of childrens tv free on the Internet/iplayer etc

Private medical care doesn't cover gps or prescription charges. Saying that my family of 4 haven't had a prescription in at least 6 years so I wouldn't save for it.

Tried 2 different digital aerials and use a signal booster, its fine if you like channels that start from 6pm like the Food Network but kinda naff for any of the kids programs.

Its good for BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4 and ITV2+1, thats about it other than channels that we don't get a reception or wouldn't watch.


Your right about prescriptions, touch wood though we haven't had need of them.

My wife has a job, unfortunately childcare costs mean she'd only have £129 left each month of which travel expenses would eat up £60, so unless a change in hours can be agreed its not viable for her to continue.

Keeping_Positive

drwho2011 wrote: »

All the essentials have 5yr warrantees, e.g fridge/freezer/washing machine/cooker.

I do plan to start saving for their replacements one the CC's are all cleared

Are these warrantees free with the product or add on policies? If the latter, I bet these were expensive as I found to my cost recently.

1) Slim chance of breakage in the first few years especially fridge/freezer and cooker
2) covered for 1 year manufacturer and I would expect them all to be fit for purpose for at least 2-3 years therefore covered by sale of goods act.
3) usually can be covered by cheaper third party insurance if not home contents insurance

you can cancel these policies easily took me one 3 min phonecall and a cheque was sent.

merlot123

Are you getting anything you are entitled too? Take the benefit calculator test.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

merlot123

jayss

As you really cant afford the TV package right now right now, could you look at getting dvds from the library for the kids, or ask if you can borrow some from friends/swap some you already have, ask on freecycle....

JulieGeorgiana

That's what we kept saying about not getting rid of our sky... but we get 'freeview' through the skybox now for free... and the signal is great!

The truth is you can't afford your Sky, you are £35 in the red and you have nothing else to cut back on!

Also if your wife only get's £69 a month, is it really worth her working??? We've just made this same decision, and I no longer work now I am due Baby Number 2. But because of it I am able to cut our budget to the bone by having more time to cook and shop for really good deals on second hand clothes, and cheaper goods and services...! It's possible you would then be entitled to more benefits if she wasn't working.

Another option is that you look into childcare vouchers via your employer (tax free childcare monies) and see if you can save money there.

drwho2011

Keeping_Positive wrote: »

Are these warrantees free with the product or add on policies? If the latter, I bet these were expensive as I found to my cost recently.

1) Slim chance of breakage in the first few years especially fridge/freezer and cooker
2) covered for 1 year manufacturer and I would expect them all to be fit for purpose for at least 2-3 years therefore covered by sale of goods act.
3) usually can be covered by cheaper third party insurance if not home contents insurance

you can cancel these policies easily took me one 3 min phonecall and a cheque was sent.

They were "free" when I was haggling over price and got them included, saving just over £300 in total by buying cooker/washer/dryer/fridge/freezer all from same retailer who threw in the policies as an incentive with no extra cost.