Help - I'm a mess :(

flis21

I've just looked at the snowball thing on there, if I have to pay all the debts off that reckons I could be debt free by Feb 2018!!! As I'm hoping that the 2 that havent contact me since 2006 have written off the debts, hopefully it will be earlier than that. And even earlier if I can continue to reduce my outgoings and increase my incomings!

I've just rerun it without those 2 debts and it comes out at march 2017. Still hoping I can improve on this!

hp48910

Hi, Mr S is sainsburys but noticed on her that people refer to the major supermarkets this way Mr S, Mr T, Mr A etc, something to do with not advertising I think?! Also quicker than typing the whole name! My DD doesn't have eczema either, it's just some things seem to cause a reaction. Must be sensitive to some things. Would be worth trying the prescription stuff if it would help save you money on more expensive products.

fozmcfc

Just popped in to say good luck with your debt free journey.

As a single male, I cant understand what it's like being a single mum with 2 kids, but my mum was also in the same position as you years ago.

Also, I understand the need for a holiday, for the first 20 or so years in life, my mum would scrape together enough for a week at Butlins.

As for the ex, well sounds like my father as well, but at least he wants contact with his children, unlike mine, but that is the only plus point about him it seems.

Cutting back here and there can lead to surprising results and also I found cutting my debt got pretty addictive.

dancingfairy

Debts are statute barred if you haven't ackonowledged the debt in 6 years - this means either paying them, writing to them and not denying the debt etc. I don't think telephone calls count. Oh and it's contact by you - they can write as many letters as they want but if you haven't replied then it's very likely to be statute barred. Just have a search through the forums on here or post the details in a new thread concerning dates you last paid anything/wrote to them etc and the experts will be able to confirm whether a debt is statute barred or not and what letters to send to your creditors if this is the case.
A creditor basically has 6 years to take you to court and get a judgement against you. If they have managed this in the 6 year time period then the debt is also not statute barred. They then have a further 6 years to enforce a judgement against you or they would have to go back to court and explain why they have not enforced the judgement up until then.
If debts were included in the IVA which failed in 2006 then they may be coming up to being statute barred? (I'm not knowledgable about how an IVA affects things though -I would presume that as the IVA failed then the debts still exist as before so therefore could potentially start becoming statute barred?).
df

buffster_2

Hi, just wanted to say well done on tackling this and making such a difference in such a short time.

I see a couple of threads have already been recommended, but given some of the things you've posted about how much you're saving, I thought you might like the Every Penny's A Prisoner thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3646867 I find it quite morale boosting posting on that when I manage to save some cash.

I can't remember if the Frugal Living challenge has been linked on this thread or not, but if not then it's here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3612005

You could also try Green Metropolis for selling books, and Freegle seems to be an offshoot of Freecycle, so may be worth looking for kids' clothes on there.

Ebid is meant to be cheaper than ebay, or free, for listings so that might be worth a look as well.

And as others have suggested, maybe get signed up for some survey sites or mystery shopping. I use YouGov for surveys, but there's lots more on the link in the middle of this page: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/

I do mystery shopping with Grassroots, but you have to be quick to accept the assignment before someone else gets in first.

Good luck, and it's good to see you're making great progress. Cutting costs and paying debt, especially with snowball, can be very addictive. And while you may be worried about the effect on your kids now, just think how much better you'll feel when you've paid your debts and you can afford to give them something they ask for.

White_Iris

I've subscribed to this thread and have been reading with interest. The change in your attitude and outlook since the start is incredible - I'm in no doubt that you'll achieve everything you set out to do. Good luck with everything (especially stopping smoking :T) and keep posting!
Iris .x.

flis21

Thanks foz, buffster and Iris.

had some good news this morning, I can get my contacts down to £13 a month by going back to monthly, not daily ones and only wearing them for a max of 12 hours, not 16. £17 a month saving wow!!

Managed to get my son a lovely M&S george pig t-shirt from a charity shop for 99p! And I went to buy some cold capsules and instead of branded ones I got some in the savers shops for 59p instead of over £2 that I usually would have spent!! Everything is going well. Right my DS1 and I are off to make our own Rice Krispie squares, wish us luck!!

Flis x

MummyDrusilla

This thread is really inspiring! You're doing so well in just a week!!!

I noticed a couple of posts ago that you spend £5 a week on wipes for your little boy. Have you ever thought of using cloth wipes? All you need is a couple of tupperware tubs (takeaway tubs are ideal - one for clean wipes, one for mucky wipes), a handful of face flannels (you can cut them up to make them go further) r you could cut up an old towel or something, dampen them and stick them in the tub with the lid on. Wipes that are kind to sensitive skin and are just the one-off set up cost. I also add a couple of drops of essential oils (chamomile for my nappy rash prone boy and some lavender) and we're away. I also find they're much more effective at wiping up a mucky bum than the disposable wipes which seem to smear. So rather than using 6 disposable wipes per nappy change, I use 1-2 cloth wipes.

When you need to wash them, just stick them in with your other washing. Doesn't matter if they're mucky - the washing machine will sort that.

x

flis21

I don't spend £5 a week on wipes, thank goodness, it's £5 every 7-8 weeks. But I will have a look at making cloth wipes to use at home. Would prob still want baby wipes for when we're out, but if it cuts some of the costs down anything would help!!! Off to raid the linen cupboard for old flannels, actually I know I have a couple of old towels that don't get used, wonder if I could cut them up? Might need to look for tubs tho, I only have a couple of plastic boxes and I tend to use them for food!

Oh and the krispie squares were a great success, I made many more for much less money than I'd usually spend. DS1 loved helping to make them and they both seem to be enjoying eating them!

Thanks for the ideas, Flis x

Wellyboots6

Hi Flis,

I have only just spotted your thread and have had a good read through. You are doing so well!
I am subscribing in the hope that your motivation will rub off on me

Just a thought...

Going back to what you said about not wanting to increase your child minding costs for existing parents, what about asking them to provide some ingredients for your baking? An activity you can do with the kids, will cut your food costs down even more, and you aren't having to ask them for extra money.

You could also ask new parents to donate any baking ingredients or craft materials etc for projects. If you put it to them that you want to make easter cards, cakes etc with the kids but don't want to have to increase your prices to cover costs then I am sure people will be happy to help.

Also, start collecting glass jars with lids now ready for fruit season! Round here people with apple trees tend to put buckets of windfall apples outside their houses for people to help themselves to. I have started my jars collection ready so I can make chutneys and jams for christmas presents

Well done with the smoking too, positives all round