New member looking to be more frugal - SOA attached

merlot123

theoretica wrote: »

How dirty do your windows really get on the outside? Could you try not getting them cleaned until they are really irritating you?

Personally, I pay £8 for the windowcleaner to clean my windows, no way on earth am I getting up the ladders each month for the sake of £8.

Just think of the consequences if the OP had an accident falling off the ladders, that would end up costing her/him more than £8 per month. OP, reduce your grocery spend and use a little of this to pay your windowcleaner.

miss-cynical

Another option for your mobile contracts...giff gaff (supplied through 02 network) offer a £10 a month sim only deal. Get unlimited texts, unlimited data and 250mins calls.

Willow_K

Well from your SOA, you actually seem to be in quite a good position IF you can find that surplus £750 and throw it at the cards. If you cut money from some of the budgets such as shopping and mobiles, that will give you extra for other expenses and entertainment etc - you shouldn't need to cut out the kids clubs, holiday or TV.

If you can find that £750 you will be throwing £1130 at the cards each month. Pay down the smaller card first.

After 12 months, you will have paid off £13560, leaving you with £6470 on the big card. Another three months will be left on the interest free on that card in which time you will have paid off another £3390, leaving just £3080 to pay.

This will be paid off in another three months after that, so won't cost much in interest, but in all likely hood, you will have paid the smaller card off some months previously so will probably be able to get a decent balance transfer deal at 0% or a lower rate for the last few months.

The key to it really is finding that additional £750 a month.

bonar

re holiday definitely try camping, we live on north east coast of scotland, and go camping to gairloch, the sands camping site is fantastic, kids love it.

downsizer3

All good advice so far.
You need a spending diary I think and need to carefully watch each penny. Aim for that £750 pm and cut back accordingly rather than the other way round and seeing what you have left - it never works.
The holiday and 'perks' like window cleaning / 'buy what I like' supermarket trips have to go for a year at least - hit it hard and keep a spreadsheet to follow your progress.
You are looking at one clear year of frugality - pay the small card off first then hit the big one hard.
You can do it, but focus - its 12 months of taking it seriously then you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If not - believe me it will be a devil to catch up on and the longer it hangs over you the worse it feels (especially when viewed next to the cars depreciation). You all need to be on board and the holiday needs to be with relatives / camping etc.
Good luck

antonia1

Hiya, just wanted to say good luck on the spending diary - its really amazing when you realise all the money you waste on things that aren't needed. I agree with the comments about reducing the grocery spend - I halved mine by doing it in stages over four months. If you can find that £750 per month you'll be able to make some massive payments to clear the credit cards.

As for family holidays, have you looked at self-catering cottages? If you go to South Wales / Cornwall etc you can have days on the beach (free) with picnics (HM so cheap). And if you eat in most of the time, food needn't cost any more than it does at home. Maybe budget of one meal out and some ice-creams?

Also, as you're aiming to be clear by the end of the year, you can join us on the "debt free by christmas 2012" challenge.

techsavvy_2

Thanks all for the comments. Antonia I think that challenge sounds good - how do we join in? so far this week me and OH half have made an effort and not spent a penny!! instead taking lunch in and giving kids packed lunch on what food we had. We did a summary of all food and the use by date to try and plan to use it up so as not to waste as much food. i cant believe we didnt spend anything yet in 3 full days. shows what we have lying abuot in the cupboards lol. This is unbelievable. Petrol to put in car tomorrow so wont go on but even the thought of not spending money every day is just unreal.