Help - I'm a mess :(

glasgowsaver2011

flis21 wrote: »

Thanks all and I just wanted to mention that my ex is giving me £150 for the kids a month (that's what the 'other income' is on my SOA). I know he won't give me any more, in fact he's always asking to borrow off me (but I have got tough and started saying no now, after my best friend had a go at me about lending him money!!).

Right, my eldest is at nursery now and my youngest down for his nap, so time to do some phoning around, BT and Sky first I think, wish me luck!

If he is working contact the CSA they will take the money from his wages if he does not pay.

20 quid per kid per week is a ridiculous amount to pay:mad:

flis21

He is working, but I am trying to keep things amicable between us, for the sake of the kids. I don't want him taking it out on them if I go for extra money. He didn't pay me anything for the first 4 months, so I'm quite pleased he is actually giving me something now for them.

Anyway came on to post that I have had some success. Have changed my electric and gas tarriff, they are sending me thru paperwork, but should mean dropping that bill by £10-15 per month.

Just phoned BT and have downgraded my broadband (my ex had it on unlimited downloads and I don't really download much if anything), so that's another £10 a month saving. They are also going to refund the amount upfront I have paid for the unlimited broadband for the next 2 months, so that should help with the phone bill!

Also have made an appointment at my opticians for Monday to discuss changing my contacts, to see if I can get some cheaper ones.

With the quitting smoking as well that will be about £100 a month saved already! feeling a bit more positive now, I can do this!!

skintandscared_2

Definitely good steps in the right direction! Incidentally, if you are a member of your local library, see if they have a copy of Allen Carr's book on stopping smoking. It's fantastic and really does work. You really don't need nicotine replacement stuff - that just keeps the addiction going. But good luck with whatever works for you!

sugarcube84

thats great!! as i said in my other post try netmums as well, they let you post your services for free i think.

What about the local college for haircuts? or trainee night at the local hair dresses they are normally desperate for [STRIKE]victims[/STRIKE] models sorry shouldnt laugh you normally get a great haircut at a fraction of the cost!

chippy61

I agree with other posters about the smoking and child minding. But it looks like you are trying to tackle that. If you can though, with a qualification in early years teaching you should be in a really good place to succeed as a child minder. Play on it in your adverts, whether thats gumtree or wherever. Parents love to think that there little ones are going to get a head start in life!

mavvysmum

It might have been mentioned before but join freecycle, I've joined and I quite often see people offering bags of kids clothes - very often they're not worn very much as kids grow so quickly so you could save yourself some money there.

Lordhightiggythe3rd

dunt know if it has been said but re smoking go for roll ups dont kinow about menthol baccy but u can get menthol filters which taste very similar and it will save u alot

somethingcorporate

What did you spend all that money on? Do you not have stuff lying around as a result that you can sell?

There was an old thread on "up your income" about weird things you can sell on ebay - see if you can find it and sell everything that isn't essential - no point in having cupboards full of tat that is collecting dust when it could be sold and thrown at your debt for the good of your family.

Good luck, you'll soon find out how addictive it can be and then there'll be no stopping you

fluffesk

came here to view story, sorry to hear, but left seeing the SOA card and WOW !!!

dark^knight

This might help with giving up smoking:
https://smokefree.nhs.uk//quit-tools/quit-kit/order/

(In a rush, so apologies if someone has already posted this.)