Almost at breaking point!!

firesidemaid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4084527

Living on £7.00 a week. Meal planning and batch cooking are the keys.

Do you also make sure you get the best prices for petrol and/or loyalty points etc?

Godiva500

Lea, sent you a pm xxx

exarmydreamer

Thank you, Pmlindyloo. I could not post the thread reference Tax free income. I hope this info helps you, Lea74, your not alone. There are loads of people on here who have a vast amount of experience and support.

pennypusher

Hi your mortgage repayments seem high. Have you checked your mortgage deal recently and are you on a good deal? Maybe you need to consider changing provider.

Lea74

firesidemaid wrote: »

hiya.

i am not an expert, and don't know who you bank with, but £48 a month seems a lot for that size of overdraft. have you talked to your bank about this? that is approx 20%. it seems like this one may be your priority debt to try and snowball?

having a lodger could really help with this and your other debts and help get you on an even keel again.

what is the home emergency and gas cover? if you really think you need these have you shopped around - look for cashback deals on quidco etc?

Sky, Tele + Internet and Mobiles all seem high - that's about £120 per month! Even if you are in a contract, ring them saying you cannot afford it and ask them to reduce your costs/packages - others have done this successfully.

i think, whilst you are in debt with a high mortgage, you need to cut ALL unnecessary spending and consider a lodger. this will allow you to pay off your debts and build a savings buffer. you will also realise what you can live without.

i will post a link to another thread (which also has many links) re. eating VERY cheaply.

What kind of pet do you have btw? x

I have a lovely cat - he is two years old. That is a great idea re phones, sky etc - I didnt realise that I could negotiate once still within a contract. I will give them all a call tomorrow.

Lea74

pennypusher wrote: »

Hi your mortgage repayments seem high. Have you checked your mortgage deal recently and are you on a good deal? Maybe you need to consider changing provider.

My deal is about to end and what they are offering me is not great so I am going to have to move to variable interest.

Lea74

So just putting some of your suggestions into action:

Will phone the bank tomorrow and chat about how to reduce the OD and also the interest rate that is being applied.

I will give Sky a call and see if they can offer me a discount until the contract ends in December.

Will contact the water companies and see if I can go on a meter.

Will contact my mobile phone company and see what they can offer.

Hopefully will have some good news to report.

firesidemaid

Lea74 wrote: »

I have a lovely cat - he is two years old. That is a great idea re phones, sky etc - I didnt realise that I could negotiate once still within a contract. I will give them all a call tomorrow.

i don't know whether your cat has any pre-existing conditions or you have claimed previously, but if not, do you shop around each year (and get cashback too)?

ps. we have 2 dogs and 2 cats. we have never had insurance for the cats, but have done for the dogs - which has been worth its weight in gold (probably literally lol).

firesidemaid

Lea74 wrote: »

My deal is about to end and what they are offering me is not great so I am going to have to move to variable interest.

is this lower than you pay now? if so, you can use the difference to address your debts. eventually, you could use this (or other debt payment money once you are debt-free) to start paying your mortgage capital.

good luck x

gien

Just wanted to say good luck and if you stick around here you'll get a load of really helpful advice