Reducing expenditure, help?

misspoppy

It would seem you don't need any advice as there isn't anything you are going to concider.

mattystorey001

misspoppy wrote:

It would seem you don't need any advice as there isn't anything you are going to concider.

Already considering adjusting my gas/elec as required, tv licence was changed, considering renting room back out, considering reducing food consumption and supplementing instead, considering reducing going out fund.

Dont want to loose xbox live, gym, newshosting.

I did the whole house sharing thing, most horrific experience i have ever had.

lynsayjane

mattystorey001 wrote:

Dont want to loose xbox live, gym, newshosting.

have to say matty I'm agreeing with misspoppy, as I said before everyone on this forum knows how hard it is to give up all the things they enjoy but the ones that are truly successful at making huge ends into clearing their debts are those who give them up knowing they'll be able to better afford them in the future.

what about a compromise? you say the gym takes up most of your evenings? well that must mean you don't have much time to devote to your xbox or the newshosting...how about giving up on those two temporarily until you can afford them?

does your gf know of your debt? then I'm sure she'll understand that you can't afford to buy her 'little' treats at the moment. some of the people on here dont buy oh's bday presents even as they can't afford it. I'm yet to hear of an oh who doesn't understand.

I can understand the food thing, I work in a gym and am constantly being told I need to eat more to lose weight! Do you use protein supplements? There are various sites online where you can get them for much cheaper than in stores, afraid I don't know of any as I'm in the opposite ball park to you but I'm sure a good google search or even asking around at your gym would uncover something.

~valentine~

Hi - to begin with you need to be serious about this. You don't seem to be willing to cut down on luxuries. I'm not having a go, I think it's great that you have noted all your expenses and come on here for advice, but don't let it stop there.

You spend £150 a month on your girlfriend? I'm sure she thinks it's great, but I'm sure too that if you talk to her about your concerns she would be happy for you to keep that money and pay a bill with it.

Trust me here...I'm only 25 and on a DMP with the CCCS. Things started off much like yourself - we had debts, but didn't want to give up things we loved...gym...nights out...treats...until we had wake up calls (literally) from house visits by creditors, phone calls galore...phone calls to my Mums house because we hadn't paid a loan...the list is endless. Right now, you're in a position to stop the spiral getting worse.

Think about it, really think about it. Your life isn't going to fall apart just because you have to cut out a few things.

Good luck, I really do hope you consider this more.

lavandergirl_2

you're spending nearly £1,800 a month. :eek:

mattystorey001

i'll look at cutting xbox live and newshosting. There are free equivilents just not as good and fast. Thats an extra 15£ a month.

When i go home this week im going to pick up some spare friends gym gear and rig that into my bedroom (just spoke to him). I suppose its better than nothing at the end of the day if i give up the gym.

Supplements wise, i'm already on creatine and protein. I could review growth mass to supplement reducing food intake but its better to eat fresh food. I use ebay to obtain these supplements.

G/f knows, and at most its once a month i buy her a present and its minimal (pg tips monkey for instance free with limited pg tips..)

I dont spend £150 on her. It's for example going down the pub maybe. However, i am diddling with the idea of giving up drinking anyhow to help with the gym. I dont smoke (who needs to nowadays, just stand in a bar and get a dose of passive smoke).

On a side note, im actually off down the gym in a sec for a few hours.

For some people its to have friends round to watch tv, mine is to go into the gym for a few hours and train with friends thats why im finding it hard to contemplate losing the gym. Bit sad. It also takes my time up at the weekends. Might enquire about a job mopping the floors.. : )

lynsayjane

mattystorey001 wrote:

For some people its to have friends round to watch tv, mine is to go into the gym for a few hours and train with friends thats why im finding it hard to contemplate losing the gym. Bit sad. It also takes my time up at the weekends. Might enquire about a job mopping the floors.. : )

oddly enough thats why I ended up getting a job at the gym and I totally love it! plus it saves me paying the gym fees!

If you cut back on as much other things as possibly then perhaps you can leave the gym for a few months and see how the finances work out once you've made the changes. Plus if you make good use of it then it can be a good thing.

I guess another way of going about this is to increase your incomings...perhaps mopping floors in the gym isn't such a bad idea??

angelavdavis

Hi Matt,

I suggest you grab a small notebook and note down all the "stuff" you are buying - it may be that there are ways in which you could cut down on the cost of dry cleaning for example. My b/f takes our dry cleaning to Somerfields dry cleaning shop and they are doing a special - 2 suits for £12 at the moment, I was paying almost that for one at another shop!

I think it would also be useful for you to see what money is being frittered needlessly, it is amazing how quickly it goes!

jennynoo

You could definitely get a cheaper internet deal, even if you want unlimited high speed access - check out Martins internet article. I'm with onetel, 2mb unlimited for £18.99 but I know I could get cheaper if I shopped around. Or if you don't want to switch you can threaten to leave and hope they offer to reduce your bill.

amytightwad2

I Think you could get a better deal on buildings & contents insurance. I was paying £23 a month until last month when I swopped to Sainsburys insurance and now it's £6.99! Check it out on https://www.confused.com or similar site.