If you don't mind sharing your advice

Rileybaby

hi betty that is a water meter!!

Betty_Crumble

Satellite/Cable TV...................... 21 - got to go

TV Licence.............................. 14 - this should be 12.12 so 1.88 here (every penny counts)

Groceries etc. ......................... 250 - we do 2 adults 1 child on 30pw & don't eat !!!! so can save at least 50 here

Clothing................................ 80 - £30 pm in rotation, month 1 you, month 2 kid 1, month 3 kid 2 and so on so 50 here.

Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 50 - if you have been saving this already then thats 400 in the kitty and no need for any more so this can go, if not then everyone bar kids should be getting a polite notice inside their chrimbo cards that for the time being gifts will not be being given as you are trying to get your finances in order. Rellies and any true friends will understand.

Entertainment........................... 50 - going to have to get creative here, we have movie nights at home, turn lights off and move sofa closer to the tv to make it seem bigger lol. Oh and pamper nights, paint toe nails, manicures, hand/foot massages etc, my 9 yr old loves these nights.

Holiday................................. 100 - whats the story here? already booked? saved for? hard to address this without knowing.

Thats 222.88 without the holiday money, -146.66 to break even = 76.22 for

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
credit card....................2300......50........0
loan...........................10000.....60....... .0
next...........................39........5........ .0
o draft b charges..............1200......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........13539.....115.......

get rid of next first just for the feel good factor then close the account. Still leaves you 37.22 without really really scrimping. Get rid of the holiday and bring groceries down another 50 and from month 2 you'll have 226.22 to throw at yr debt, 54 months/4.5yrs. Hope this throws it into perspective because its a long enough journey with these measures. hope it goes well, good luck.

oops didnt include overdraft so add another 5 months, sorry, still under 5 yrs just.

Rileybaby

It seems so simple now someone has started me off!! Debt free in 5 years now that is doable!!!

I'm gonna start with a meal plan and order my shop on line as I think this will save me money :-) I'll pay next off at the end of September ( if I can't do it sooner)

I need to activate a ticker on my account so I have something to work towards

orcocan

when are your mobile and sky contracts due for renewal?

dancingfairy

Martins article on bank charges is here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges
Bear in mind it was last updated in November 11 so the situation may have changed again but it's probably still worth the cost of a few letters.
df

Loubell83

Old childrens clothes sell really well on eBay - have you still got clothes they have grown out of and also other stuff you can sell? You get 100 free listings per month as long as you start them at 99p. Might be an idea to make some cash.

I have sold stuff on eBay that I never thought would sell before!