I hope someone can help me....

LaidBackDad

Hi everybody, I just want to say a big thankyou to all who have posted, it really does mean a lot. I know what we have to do in terms of scrifice but I also know it'll be a lot harder to actually do it.

I am busy reading a lot of the diaries on here and will do a proper analysis of our situation ( i see i messed up the SOA a little).

My wife does part time work at our daughters nursery which normally brings in 300/400 a month, the £200 figure was when she was off with our kids being ill.

I spoke to my better half today and suggested we use my profile as a joint one where we both post on here and discuss good days/bad days and really get involved. shall report back soon.

Ladybird.

Just wanted to write and say that our SOA looks very similar to yours in terms of income, family situation (2 young children, me at home looking after them) and level of debt too.

We are a month or two into our debt free journey and already we are amazed at what we have achieved after putting our minds to it- paid off over £2k this month by selling things, PPI, etc.

Sky has gone altogether and we really don't miss it, we budget and meal plan and it's all going really well so far- great to feel in control.

Best of luck!

plum44_2

I am on my own with 4 children and I can tell you we once wasted ridiculous amounts on groceries every week- lots of which went in the bin. Now we never spend more than £200 a month and its not at all difficult. You must be prepared to change, give up snacks and make meals from scratch, batch cook, freeze etc. I have cleared 19k of debt in 18 months and no I dont have a high salary I have just stopped spending and started living more frugally.

Barbeduk

Plum 44, £19k in 18 months is incredible. Well done!

plum44_2

Thank you...it's a slog but I'll get there and then I will be freeeeee.....
Just seen you are debt free too- wonderful- well done !!!

bluebag

Good on you for realising things are not quite right. Personally, I love holidays and having fun, but it has to be with the peace of mind that being debt free brings.

It takes a bit of a change of attitude to become moneysaving, it's not miserly, it's getting the most bang for your money.

You clearly work hard for your money, make it work for you and your family, not blown on stuff that has no value and making the banks rich with interest payments.

Keep going, you've made a great start.
My one tip is to have a menu plan and shop online, stops the impulse purchases and you can stick to a budget as it gives you a running total as you shop.

All the very best to ya!

LaidBackDad

Hi everyone,

I just read through the thread again and realised several people have made suggestions and asked questions that I haven't even responded to ! how rude of me, i am sorry

Starting from the top, I have desperately undervalued the role my wife plays in our house. She is imense. Sorts the kids out for school (Different Schools), puts washing on, cleans what she can of the house all before starting work at 9 in the morning. she then works part time til 12 or 2, picks kids up again at 3, then takes them to their clubs (football, ballet, swimming). sorts tea, plays. tidies more and reddied for bed at 7 then starts our tea.

I dont get home til half 6-7pm because of work which is then kids bedtime, and she is knackered! haha.Im not saying she cant do more (bear with me wifey!).. but im just recognising what she already does...BIG KISS

anyhoo, We are off to Turkey in July (not florida) and whilst it seems like sacrilege its booked "paid for".

I did forget the tc license but we do pay it every month.

Entertainment was also forgotten but we do utilise tesco reward vouchers and try6 and prepare a picnic to take with ut.

We have Virgin phone/tv/broadband with sky movies and sports which I included in th £87 satellite bill. We also have lovefilm (shakes head)

My wife does do meal plans already and to be honest its me who wastes mainly food bought for my packed lunches as Im too lazy to prepare them, and end up buying food at work.

We really need to do spending diaries and I also need to admit to another problem that hasnt at all helped...

I like to gamble

Takeaway_Addict

LaidBackDad wrote: »

I like to gamble

How much exactly per month say?

LaidBackDad

Sorry to stop on that bombshell. I have gambled on and off for the last 7 years. I only started again end of march this year when the cheltenham festival was on but now the amounts i bet are ridiculous. I would estimate over the years my gambling has cost us about 3k of our current debt. I didnt want to talk about it here though as its a problem I am sorting out through GA visits (albeit my first visit is tonight) and although very significant in the battle to lower our spending I dont want it to detract from the fact we are and have beenl living beyond our means.

Gambling was a "solution" to gettingextra money for the big tv, or climbing frame, as I knew we couldnt afford it on wages alone.

Whilst I'm not naive enough to know its been a factor in our debt, it isnt THE reason. (or am i kidding myself?)

Its probably also why my wife isnt as into cutting back like I am, as she has seen me throw away hundreds on betting.

God im a mess.

Loubell83

Hi there,

Well done on admitting that there is a problem in the first place, and taking the first tentative steps to deal with the issues that you have.

We all have our reasons and excuses about why we got into debt You have taken steps to get help and slowly you can take the steps to sort it. That is to be applauded.

There has been lots of good advice on this thread so far for you to digest, I just really wanted to say well done on admitting you have a problem and let you know that you are not alone, we all have issues that cause us to overspend, or we wouldn't be Debt Free Wannabes in the first place!

Good luck with everything, and scour this site for hints and tips. I have done this since my light bulb moment mid march and managed to make lots of really positive changes. You can too!