I don't know where to start (newbie)

saraht86

Hello,
I'm new to the forum and I don't even know where to start.
I really need help with our finances.
It seems we both work fulltime & yet have nothing left at the end of the month and still have to borrow money or use credit cards.
I have put it all down on paper and on paper we can afford everything yet where does it go?
It's hard to budget for childcare when things like voting day just pop up and so our daughter is off school and that's a full days childcare we then need to find. Or term fees for the kids activities I haven't factored into a monthly budget... how would you do this?
We currently shop at aldi and have a weekly budget of £75 but I did it this week for £60. I'm sure I could try and get it down even more. Our bills are all set, we can't really reduce anything.
I just need some help please! What are things I can do with the children for free? How do you budget for shoes, clothes, birthdays etc ?
Any help will be most appreciated. I read something on here the other day about gas & electric being overcharged and I've called them this morning and they are refunding me £380 in the next 7-10 days which is great.
We have debts too
The crazy thing about this is during the summer holidays I will be working for a minus figure because of childcare. We get little tax credits and what we do receive we have to pay half back due to an overpayment.

sassyblue

Welcome to the board Sarah, some people mention an SOA to fill in, it's a Statement Of Affairs, and it's available somewhere on this board (someone else may be able to point out where)...

If not site down again and list everything you spend, right down to magazine or papers you buy, lottery and those kids activities. Go through last months bank statements to jog your memory for the smaller spends.

When you've got that it's easier to budget and you may find you'll be able to factor in some savings too. Make sure you plan ahead for next months spends, birthday presents and cards, trips out and how many weeks you've got to shop for before the next wage, then you can budget what you've got per week to spend and stick to it. Making a meal planner for the week ahead is a good idea so you know what you're having when.

This website was linked to earlier and it's got some cheap and easy meals on, the Old Style Board has alot of thifty help on it.

http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/index.html?opt=rcost

sassyblue

Some more thoughts..... credit cards you use, can you get cheaper %APR? Sign upto Top Cashback if you haven't done so, and use it whenever you can, it's excellent for saving money on insurances - do you currently go to sites that compare?

When you get that energy money back can you use it to either: put it towards clearing a debt OR use it for this month to start getting straight ready to be planning ahead next month.

elletee

How flexible is the company you work for? Could you ask for a flexi arrangment of term times only? we have some people in our office that do that. They have to seriously consider if it you put the suggestion in writing.

barbiedoll

OP, I suggest you repost/cross post this on the "Debt free Wannabe" board, you will get specific help regarding your debts and your outgoings.
Good luck!

heartbreak_star

Have a quick look on the Debt-Free Wannabee and Old-Style boards, some great tips on there!!

HBS x

MidLifeCrisis_3

saraht86 wrote: »

We currently shop at aldi and have a weekly budget of £75 but I did it this week for £60.

Well done, that's a really impressive start you should be proud of yourself.

saraht86 wrote: »

What are things I can do with the children for free?

Kids mostly just want your time. Dig out old board games, jigsaws, toys, pens/crayons/paints and Argos catalogues (for window shopping or cutting up for pictures). Sell some of their old stuff they don't use on ebay or in the paper as a fund for other things.

Trips to the park, bike rides, country/forest/beach/river walks - dress for the weather and take a picnic or stop at a pub along the way and buy an orange squash or blackcurrant and soda for a real treat. Trips to the library, making cakes, helping prepare meals, splashing in puddles in their wellies, on foot, their bikes or scooters is always a favourite with mine - maybe not if they're 13 tho!

saraht86

Thank you for the replies, I will look for the debt free wannabe board for some tips & advice.

I don't think my work would allow me flexi working, well maybe its that i'm not sure I could ask as I work in accounts and there are 3 of us in the team, one who works 2 days, one who works 3 short days (about to go on maternity leave) and myself who works fulltime... covering all the gaps. My husband may be able to work longer hours 4 days a week and one day a week off, its something we've just started discussing.
Also I do intend to request a 9.30am start next Sept so I can do the school run (youngest will be in school then) and husband starting earlier and finishing earlier to collect after school to try and eliminate some childcare. Oh to roll on a year ;-)

I will look at the link for low cost meals, thank you, I will also look out for the statement of affairs.

I did put our 'normal' month into a budget but it is the extra childcare of the MOT, birthdays, uniforms, school trips, shoes, clothes, kids activity term fees that I don't account for and just hold my breath and hope for the best lol

Hoping all you lovely people can help sort me out x

Hovel_lady

Link for SOA here

http://makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Format for MSE at the end and remove any links before posting.

Would suggest posting it on the DFW board.