Deepindebt...anywayout....!!

poodlehorse

Good luck Ste, you have made a good start by implementing the advice on here so quickly. I can't really see anything else that hasn't been said already. Needs must though when we are in dire straits and the entertainment has to go, borrow books from the library etc. Or have you any old board games kicking around or pick up at charity shops or borrow from library if they have? My parents did this when I was little, we played cards and ludo and all that stuff, listened to the radio while we did it ( I used to love the plays they had on radio 4) and had a right laugh, we used to have people round to do the same and everyone had great fun. I would do this now but DH think it is 'lame' :rolleyes: but I think that is more because he is a bad loser and I always win (being all competitive like:p ). Entertainment and socialising doesn't have to cost the earth. We found it was great as it made us talk as a family so had added benefits. I am glad you found an alternative source for your DW cigs but I really hope she tries again to give up. That would free up so much each month. I am sure that is easier said than done. And then just have a look round everything you own that you can get some money on Ebay for and you can live without and sell it. Pop over to the OS board for ways to save loads on cleaning and food etc. If your wife doesn't work can her contribution be to be the frugal one? In my case DH has a job that he can get good overtime but I didn't so there was nothing else I could bring to the party that way BUT I looked for ways to make what we had go further by menu planning and hunting down offers etc. Can she do Quidco clickthroughs? Would she have the time to Ebay the stuff instead of you? It sounds like you work very long hours as it is. I think it would give her a sense of achievement as I am sure she is frustrated by not being able to work more.

And as someone else said, you paid off your mortgage last year, would it be better to release some of that equity to pay off your debt and then start again on the mortgage?

Once again really good luck with it.

bandraoi

How big is your house?
Instead of remortgaging could you move to a smaller cheaper house and use the difference to pay off your debts? A smaller house would also maybe reduce some of your bills.