new and in need of some help :(

Danni-R

Also 20% of your income goes on your car alone. Is there any way to reduce this?

ambercharlie10

polesalot wrote: »

I have put a few comments in above.

If you don't know where your money is going keep a spending diary to find out. A magazine here, a coffee and a chocolate bar there all adds up.

You really need to sort out the council tax and whether it will be for a single person or you as a couple. Do the children live with you?

Someone more knowledgeable than me will probably be along later with more advice.

Thanks really appricate the advice, to be the honest the entertainment was put in by the debtline, and they did put clothes too, but i was trying to not at the moment add the things that i dont actually spend and tell the real truth to you people for help if you get me?

yes children live with me

yes partner is fully on board, yes think a money diary would be a great idea, funny you should mention aldi, went in there last sunday and we decided to start there :T

GlynD

Take your time gettiung to know Aldi. You're going to see many unfamiliar things. Some of these you will like and some you won't. Make a shopping list before you go and stick to it so you aren't tempted by exotic looking dishes. Polesalot has already pointed out that your mobile bill is too expensive. I think your landline bill could be cut by at least 50% as well if your contract allows you - I'd recommend Plusnet at the moment. They'll give you landline, anytime calls and fibre optic broadband for £20 a month less than you're paying for phone at the moment. Use your anytime calls for landlines only and use mobiles to contact mobiles. If all your mobiles are on the same network your interpersonal calls will be free.

ambercharlie10

GlynD wrote: »

Take your time gettiung to know Aldi. You're going to see many unfamiliar things. Some of these you will like and some you won't. Make a shopping list before you go and stick to it so you aren't tempted by exotic looking dishes. Polesalot has already pointed out that your mobile bill is too expensive. I think your landline bill could be cut by at least 50% as well if your contract allows you - I'd recommend Plusnet at the moment. They'll give you landline, anytime calls and fibre optic broadband for £20 a month less than you're paying for phone at the moment. Use your anytime calls for landlines only and use mobiles to contact mobiles. If all your mobiles are on the same network your interpersonal calls will be free.

My house phone is with primus, at the moment, and we very rarely use it, does include internet too, and the mobiles are mine and my partners i dont make calls on mobile as speakers broke! both usually £30-£35 per month/ how do i go about making these cheaper if i am in a contract

also my car was a stupid buy..... 1.8 engine as thought i needed a bigger car when was pregnant with second child as am only 26 and partner only recenly passed his test thats why insurance is high? this was the uttermost cheapest i could find... also my partner has a company van, and he puts the fuel in a £30 in the van and £30 in my car, would do anything for a smaller car!!!

eyeopener2

Hi

First things first here, and we can get to the cutting back, looking at budgets later.

Have you set up a payment plan for council tax arrears with the council/court for this. Becuase this is high priority. And I mean high.

Please get in touch with the council first thing in the morning and see what they say.

If you can come to an agreement on paying this back then we can help you set a budget based on that plan to live within.

Have you spoken to debt line?

E2

GlynD

Check and see if your house phone is in or out of contract. If it's out then go to Plusnet or anyone else who's offering long term discounts and move your phone and internet to them. Your current bill is at least £20 a month too much, especially if you're not using it. If you're in a contract with your mobiles then ask your service provider to reduce your plan to something a lot lower based on your usage.

A 1.8 car isn't large by any standards. Ok it'll use a little more fuel than a 1.4 or 1.6 but I wouldn't lose sleep over that. Worry about the things which are really expensive and which you can change.

Edited to include: Eyeopener is correct. Lets get these OD bills sorted so you know you're not going to be chucked out of your house.

eyeopener2

Hi

Sorry I missed the fact you've spoken to the council. Good, we have some breathing space.

Have you spoken to National Debtline,http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/index.php

You need to speak to National Debtline not Debtline (who are a fee charging debt advice company).

If you have, great, then they will advise you better than any of us can. If not ring them now and see what they say about the Council Tax Arrears

E2

ambercharlie10

Yes i spoke to council tax and she said just said she would put the account on hold for 3 weeks so no action could be taken and that she would advice i seek further advice, ie debtline, citezens advice, havent spoke to debtline regarding this but did have to 2 weeks ago regarding a "debt enforcement officer" again that is another story and one that is sorted!

** sorry notice reply above ill ring national debtline now"

welshone27

Well done on facing up to it.x
im sorry but i have to ask, if you and your partner live appart why do you pay for him mobile and why is he on your insurance? I could be wrong ofcourse but it seems you are living together but not declairing it. this is an annonomous forum so if this is the case, theres no need to hide it.
sorry if anyone thinks im out or order, not my intention. i just think its to obvious.

Im new to this myself also, this site is amazing and has helped me a lot. i hope you get the advice you need :-)

eyeopener2

Good, you have addressed one problem and sorted it out. So we move onto the others.

Is this a private landlord you owe the rent to or the council/housing association?

How much is your car worth? Could you sell it and buy cheaper?

I think there are restrictions on Debt Relief Orders on cars worth over £1000 (please someone correct me on that though).

E2