Give great money saving advice but in debt myself - HELP!!

lynzpower

mousegirl wrote: »

Have worked out the following:
Dancing 10
Swimming 15
Food 50
Toiletries/Housekeeping 10
Car Insurance 25
Gifts 20
Emergency 20
Holiday 10

all to come out of cheque acc, not forgetting AOL at 14.99, this would be after tax credit has been received, will probably change over time as I get used to what I need

but have also worked out that if I want to pay off my credit card in 12 mths (interest free for 13 months and 1 month gone already) I'd need to send 83 per month! Haven't a hope in hell of that! I'm only left with 47.64 and that's not including sending any payment to my cc.

This is so depressing! Of course if I don't spend all the food/toiletries etc each month, whatever is left I can send that.

Does this sound on the right track?

Sorry, Ive missed this.

I would say if you have 47.64 at the mo, you can find extra from the 10.00 cleaning and toiltries, 20 from emergencies ( as you have 2k in your isa, whichj you are not willing to spend on debt, leave the isa accruing money and do not add to it, and 10.00 from the holidays fund - I suggest paying the credit card is more important than saving for a holiday at this stage. Fair enough you might want to put it back in once the tax credits ahve come through adn you have a bit more slushing, but it is important to make those payments.

If you add these in- youll have 87.64 to give to your CC payment.

mousegirl

don't know what's happened but this month have been paid about 180 less tax credit - so now my budget is totally busted, I have 58 in the black to spend

oh and holiday is already booked and paid for, out of tokens from the paper last year, so the savings was to have some spending money and pay for the petrol to get us there, we don't normally have a holiday, but this is the second time we've saved tokens and at least it's a break

you're right about the emergencies, the ISA can cover that at the moment and hopefully there won't be any, would rather still send £10 to save though

will definitely need to save the 10 for dancing and 15 towards swimming

so am left with £33 without using overdraft

am I being a bit ambitious to think that I can not use any of my overdraft straight away, or should I just be looking to not use at least half?

still stuck on the 18 birthday pressie as well, it's for my nephew, birthday is in august, oh and my brother is 40 in august as well - another special one

dizzy_lizzie

mousegirl wrote: »

It's a good idea. It if was for a girl it would be easy as I think girls tend to like items to save as a reminder, it's just with it being a boy, I'm not sure it would be as appreciated.

Okay well he'll be 18 so what about putting an amount of money behind the bar at a pub of his choice so he can get a few beers with. He might appreciate this a bit more :beer:
I agree, boys are harder to get for. Our DS was 18 last year and he asked for money and clothes. Wouldn't know what to get a nephew. Did you go on 'google' or 'ask'?
Maybe you could start it as a new thread, would be interesting to see what others have done, maybe for both girls and boys 18ths.

mousegirl

I did go on google but not much help unless I've got plenty of money to spend.

mousegirl

Found out today that daughter will be taking 3 dance exams next month, not sure of cost yet, and also a dance show so will need to buy costumes, but as it's just a small local school, think the teacher just buys matching t-shirts from Asda which is good news!

Swimming is for 10 weeks so that's good news. Sister in law gave me another 20 quid, but I owed the joiner 15, at least it paid for that.

Was told that my tax credit has probably reduced as youngest is now one, which means I'll have to address my budget again. Might have to keep using my overdraft, but hopefully less each month.

Still feel a total failure. I know my problems are nothing compared to some, and I don't know how some people sleep at night. Last night I just wanted to cry.

I know I've got a way out with my ISA, figured I'd try and budget and pay off debt as much as I can, then at the end of the interest free, maybe pay what's left out of the ISA.

E-bay stuff doesn't seem to be selling either, might have to have a car boot sale as at least I'd hopefully get something back instead of just giving to a charity shop.

mousegirl

Another 'just found out', friend doesn't want to buy baby clothes, so will have to put on e-bay and hopefully have some luck.

slowlyfading

good luck with ebay, and -hugs-.
sf x

dizzy_lizzie

Hi mousegirl
As regards the 18th present could you ask him what he wants within reason. If he has a favourite tv series or film/cd them maybe you could get it off Amazon or ebay and get a bargain?
Sorry can't think of anything else.

dizzy_lizzie

Hey mousegirl just wondering if you're okay huni?
Hope all's well

mousegirl

Hi dizzy lizzie

am ok at the mo', just watching ugly betty! - still can't work out my budget properly due to reduction in child tax credit!!! But having said that, got a bit extra from working tax credit and am not into my overdraft in cheque account yet which is good for me - but only have £25 in it!

Have a few bits selling on ebay, but nothing amounting to very much, still, better than nothing. If I'm still left with stuff after putting baby's on then I'm going to give it a last chance and have a car boot sale with my friend.

Been off work this week and avoided going back into town - usually meet friends for lunch - didn't want to buy items that I don't really want so have stayed away.

Have yet to ask nephew what he'd like for his birthday but have time as not while August.

I'll have to get a grip with my budget, I really want to pay off cc and keep within my means but it's hard. Am doing ok with the food I think, but have never done so much cooking!

Am trying to put 'pockets' of money away for things like the swimming and dancing etc. I'll have to write it all down again as I'm still confused about it all.

Am just going to your thread for an update! hope all is ok with you.

Anyway, thanks for asking, speak soon. xx