£80,000

thejames

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

thejames well done on what you've achieved so far. When I was paying back my debts it came down to what I really needed -v- what I wanted. I do agree with Poo that you're maybe flickering with the LBM and haven't had the full watt moment yet but that's OK. It will come (especially now you're flickering) and when it does ... you'll know what's a priority and what isn't/

There will always be some things we decide we can't do without - but the trick is working out what these are (and obviously it can't be everything!) and deciding what we could do with less of.

From the cutting back / kids bit - if there's something that the kids really enjoy and would really miss then it's fine to keep it but maybe it only happens every fortnight rather than every week ... or you fund it by cutting back somewhere else (eg groceries).

I used to have a takeaway every Friday night - in my view, I deserved it after working 2 jobs (and going to college 2 nights a week) but it had to go to pay the debts - I cut it to once a month and actually enjoyed it more as it really was a treat!

Now, I can't believe I spent all that money on takeaways - I only had 3 in the whole of 2011 as I'd now much rather spend the money on something better! HTH

This is exactly our problem, spend with no budget, dinners out, coffee pods, bottles of wine, going out socially, rediculous amounts of magazines, (how mich could i sell them for, although they do get re read) this is all fine if its in your budget if it's not then well this is where you are.

One thing I'm def wanting to keep is my gym, I go regularly, my daughter goes swimming there and wouldn't be able to if I cancelled my gym. So something has to give in replacement.

Poosmate

Hi thejames, sorry if my post came across as harsh, it's just that I have read so many of these threads and being in debt myself and working my out of it, I know how hard it can get.

As rising from the ashes said, what you do day in day out becomes the norm and you can't always see that what was once a treat isn't anymore.

The first few months (probably 6 minimum actually) are the worst as you are adjusting to a new more frugal lifestyle, maybe giving up things you really don't want to but need to then being disappointed that you efforts are not showing really on your debt reduction. There will be many ups and downs in the first 6-12 months and times where you despair. But just remember you are in a relatively strong position compared to others, yeah your debts are large, but you are maintaining them on your current income. You aren't defaulting on your payments so there is a possibility that you will receive 0% credit offers. They will help you immensely in a year or two's time and give you a real lift when you're starting to wonder when will it ever end.

I know, because I am now receiving the 0% offers yet gone none when I thought I really needed them at the beginning of my journey. I've just done 1 BT to 0% and paid off 1 CC and have planned how to move my debt around when I get my next 0% deal later in the year. It's not going to reduce the debt but it means paying less interest on it so paying it off sooner.

Please consider my Halifax Rewards Account plan in my last post. If you could set that up you know all of your debts are covered and paid on time and get paid a fiver for it! YAY! Having everything there in one place and sorted will give you so much peace of mind. You'll then be able to concentrate on being strong enough to return to work. Please don't underestimate how much of your stress previously has probably subconciously been about your debt too. Take the debt worry out of the equation.

Dealing with your debts is so empowering.

Good luck

Poo

thejames

Poosmate wrote: »

Hi thejames, sorry if my post came across as harsh, it's just that I have read so many of these threads and being in debt myself and working my out of it, I know how hard it can get.

As rising from the ashes said, what you do day in day out becomes the norm and you can't always see that what was once a treat isn't anymore.

The first few months (probably 6 minimum actually) are the worst as you are adjusting to a new more frugal lifestyle, maybe giving up things you really don't want to but need to then being disappointed that you efforts are not showing really on your debt reduction. There will be many ups and downs in the first 6-12 months and times where you despair. But just remember you are in a relatively strong position compared to others, yeah your debts are large, but you are maintaining them on your current income. You aren't defaulting on your payments so there is a possibility that you will receive 0% credit offers. They will help you immensely in a year or two's time and give you a real lift when you're starting to wonder when will it ever end.

I know, because I am now receiving the 0% offers yet gone none when I thought I really needed them at the beginning of my journey. I've just done 1 BT to 0% and paid off 1 CC and have planned how to move my debt around when I get my next 0% deal later in the year. It's not going to reduce the debt but it means paying less interest on it so paying it off sooner.

Please consider my Halifax Rewards Account plan in my last post. If you could set that up you know all of your debts are covered and paid on time and get paid a fiver for it! YAY! Having everything there in one place and sorted will give you so much peace of mind. You'll then be able to concentrate on being strong enough to return to work. Please don't underestimate how much of your stress previously has probably subconciously been about your debt too. Take the debt worry out of the equation.

Dealing with your debts is so empowering.

Good luck

Poo

No its fine, Im just a bit sensitive, and yes it appears like I was feeding the forces but thats why Im here to not do that. But its fine no harm done. I just cant take a joke at the moment, when my life feels a bit crap.

I will take on what everyone has said..and the advice.

So far ive looked at comparison websites, and we maybe able to cut some down by around £53 a month. Our sofas finish in May and that will be an extra £37, if we manage to work to a £200 food budget we maybe able to coast for a bit and see how things are with the business and such like. Ive also got my tanning equiptment out and have already got one client, Ive emailed all my friends to say Im doing it again, and have lots of possitive replies.

I think this is going to be very hard but I believe we can do it because the alternitive is not what we want.

thejames

Ok big step today, I do my weekly shop on Sundays or Monday's, so the husbands been on nights so I thought I'd do it today with the kids and took a trip to our next village, so today I've been to, 99p shop, poundland, icelands and lidl, well my £100-£150 shop came to £75 and I think this is likely to stretch to two maybe three weeks, I'm so please but so gutted I've never done this before.

I've also signed upto lots of cash back websites, and I've looked through all our insurance and elect/gas with a possible £53 saving also dropping our virgin media to a smaller package.

I'm not sure this will even help with our situation but our lifestyle needs to change regardless.

Thank you everyone that's posted with encouragement xxx

sparkley84

thejames wrote: »

Ok big step today, I do my weekly shop on Sundays or Monday's, so the husbands been on nights so I thought I'd do it today with the kids and took a trip to our next village, so today I've been to, 99p shop, poundland, icelands and lidl, well my £100-£150 shop came to £75 and I think this is likely to stretch to two maybe three weeks, I'm so please but so gutted I've never done this before.

I've also signed upto lots of cash back websites, and I've looked through all our insurance and elect/gas with a possible £53 saving also dropping our virgin media to a smaller package.

I'm not sure this will even help with our situation but our lifestyle needs to change regardless.

Thank you everyone that's posted with encouragement xxx

Well done!! That's FAB!! It all adds up and it will make a difference. Even something little like dropping the Virgin package down will make a difference when you think of how much you'll save in a year. It's all those tiny costs that add-up.

So pleased about the shopping - thats brilliant! Such a big step :-) I know what you mean about being gutted you never tried it before. I remember sitting down to work out where my money goes and its shocking what I used to spend it on when I could have found it cheaper or done without. But at least you know now :-)

Big hugs coming your way (if you want them :-)) x x

Happytogetdebtfree

Well done the james big changes already and they will make the difference, i had to make some sacrifices in the intial stages now i know where i can cut back and leave room, ive finally reposted on my diary eesh sometimes too busy posting on other peoples anyway ive just done my totals but will have to get official figures im around the 45k mark and ive declared on the pay as much as you can 2012 thread to clear 50k seems optimistic but set the bar and il reach it ...... how are you feeling ?? x

thejames

Thank you guys and it's Cass, I just set this up for my husband and I, I've looked at the things that I over spend on and can cut and made some compromises, alcohol and coffee pods (up to £20 per week on coffee pods ridiculous) ill have one pack every two weeks, have a bottle of wine when hubby and I are off, but I'm keeping the gym I use it its good for me.


I feel so much better! But only time will tell.


Hugs are always needed thank you!!

rising_from_the_ashes

Hi Cass ...... well done, great to hear you being more positive. Baby steps .... cut a bit here and there - start small and build up gradually. It really all does make a difference.

I would strongly recommend the Grocery Challenge on the Old Style board - honestly a very friendly bunch of people (and quite a few from this board) with loads of tips, support and great recipes. There are couples who manage on £100/month and families of 4 on under £250 (incl baby stuff) - I honestly have no idea how they manage this - I'm still very much learning to try to control my grocery spend.....

Where do you get your coffee pods? Not something I use myself but I'm sure you can get them reasonably priced at some places (Am*azon?). Might be worth popping a thread on the Shopping & Groceries board as I'm sure others will use them & have found cheaper places to buy them. I'm sure a girl at work gets hers at C*ostco far cheaper than "ordinary" shops.

katsu

Congrats Cass on your progress to date - just keep sticking to it.

C0stco is good for coffee pods I think

thejames

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Hi Cass ...... well done, great to hear you being more positive. Baby steps .... cut a bit here and there - start small and build up gradually. It really all does make a difference.

I would strongly recommend the Grocery Challenge on the Old Style board - honestly a very friendly bunch of people (and quite a few from this board) with loads of tips, support and great recipes. There are couples who manage on £100/month and families of 4 on under £250 (incl baby stuff) - I honestly have no idea how they manage this - I'm still very much learning to try to control my grocery spend.....

Where do you get your coffee pods? Not something I use myself but I'm sure you can get them reasonably priced at some places (Am*azon?). Might be worth popping a thread on the Shopping & Groceries board as I'm sure others will use them & have found cheaper places to buy them. I'm sure a girl at work gets hers at C*ostco far cheaper than "ordinary" shops.

I just buy them from sains usually, nearly £4 a box for 8 cups. I usually have three a day and if friends come then that's a whole box if not more. Not anymore! I shall have a look around though.

£100 that's amazing, maybe one day I'll do it. To be honest I know I still impulses bought today, but I really liked what I saw and I wont be doing my big shops at sains anymore. I can see why people get addicted to money saving now.

I have decided that going back to work full time with two children is probably pointless, with childcare costs it may not be worth it, so money saving and money making in other ways is the way forward.