Ok so now what?Lost!

Tops_3

Slowly it has been dawning on me that we need to really sort our spending and debts out.I'm shocked at the amount of money we spend on things we don't need and by the amount of debt we have
I just can't seem to get my head straight.How do we get out of our OD zone,pay off the stupid amounts on credit cards.
I'm just so so lost and don't know what to do.
We've got ourselves into silly habits of spending when we really don't need to.Now we're facing a financial change leaving us with far less cash and I just don't know how we're going to stay afloat.
Sorry if this sounds pathetic but I think this is it~that lightbulb moment I read about but now the light is on I'm not sure where to turn

findingmyownway

Read the sticky for first time posters on the top of the DFW board. Theres details there of how to post an SOA which will help us to help you.

Well done for making the first steps!

Tops_3

Thankyou,I'll do that now.

chevalier

As finding said post up a statement of affairs and let us see if we can help you cut back

Secondly do you have any bank/credit card charges you can claim back?

Have you checked that your house is in the right banding for council tax? If it isn't then you can claim a rebate for all of the years you have been there, not just this year.

But the main thing is that you will both need to accept that your lifestyle will have to change rapidly, and that there are no sacred cows when it comes to paying off debt.
best of luck
chev

Skint_Catt

:hello: Hi and welcome - we'll help you every step of the way! :T

Tops_3

Wow!!Half way through the SOA and finding it hard to see the figures in black and white:o

rayday2

It can be quite sobering and made me wonder how the hell I had kept on going so long!

Keep us up to date if you need help with anything - don't forget if you have any debts with your current account holder you will probably need a new bank account because they can just take money out of your account. Sorry if I am repeating things you already know but its worth the risk in case you didn't realise!

hypno06

It is hard, and it is not usually very pleasant, but once it is all written down you know exactly what you are dealing with and there are less chances for hidden surprises in the future.

Quite often it is a relief once you have written it down, no matter how awful it looks.

Keep posting, we are all here to help.

Tops_3

My attempt at an SOA...bear with me!All figures rounded up.
Me,DH and three kids aged 4,2 and 1.Two dogs and 3 cats.

Outgoings

Mortgage=£655
Council Tax=£108
Gas=£68
Electric=£83
Water=£42
House Insurance=£19
Buildings and contents Ins=£32
Car Insurance=£33
Pet Insurance£21
Sky +=£37.00
BT(inc net)=£50.00....
Mobile=free eves and weekends around £40

Total=£1188 bills

Food+drink=£500.inc friends over,kids and BBQs
Pet food=£80
Nappies/wipes= £40
Petrol=£40
Clothes £20
DHs smoking:mad: =£120
Other household stuff=£20

Total=£820



Loan repayment~£219 to black horse~APR 6.9%~outstanding balance £9,400:o
Sky card min~repayment £164~APR ummmm?Balance £5500
Capital One card~min repayment £20~APR?Balance £380
Citi card~min repayment £11~APR?Balance £580
HP on pc~£29~0% APR~balance £600 approx will check!
Student Loan=£10

Debts=£433

Total=£2441

Incoming

Wages=£1050
Tax credits=£550
DLA=£264
Carers=£188
Child allowance=£163



Total Out=£2441

Total In=£2215

OOOOPS!!!:o :eek:
And as a result our OD stands at £2500:eek:

Tops_3

Please be gentle!I know that's probably the most ridiculous SOA ever:o But I do want to change it honestly!!!:cool:

Gemmzie

Tops wrote: »

My attempt at an SOA...bear with me!All figures rounded up.
Me,DH and three kids aged 4,2 and 1.Two dogs and 3 cats.

Outgoings

Mortgage=£655
Council Tax=£108
Gas=£68 Try seeing if switching suppliers might save you money?
Electric=£83Ditto
Water=£42 This seems high, are you on a meter?
House Insurance=£19
Buildings and contents Ins=£32This seems really high. Try confused.com to see if you can get it any less
Car Insurance=£33 Again, this is fairly high, how much NCD does the driver have? What type of car is it?
Pet Insurance £21
Sky +=£37.00 Not essential while you have debts, could you cut it down?
BT(inc net)=£50.00.... I don't know where you live but could you get the Sky See,Talk, Surf package? It's phone, broadband and Sky for £26 per month
Mobile=free eves and weekends around £40

Total=£1188 bills

Food+drink=£500.inc friends over,kids and BBQs
Pet food=£80
Nappies/wipes= £40
Petrol=£40
Clothes £20
DHs smoking:mad: =£120Could they switch to roll ups? My father has and it's worked out a lot cheaper
Other household stuff=£20

Total=£820



Loan repayment~£219 to black horse~APR 6.9%~outstanding balance £9,400:o
Sky card min~repayment £164~APR ummmm?Balance £5500
Capital One card~min repayment £20~APR?Balance £380
Citi card~min repayment £11~APR?Balance £580
HP on pc~£29~0% APR~balance £600 approx will check!
Student Loan=£10

Debts=£433

Total=£2441

Incoming

Wages=£1050
Tax credits=£550
DLA=£264
Carers=£188
Child allowance=£163



Total Out=£2441

Total In=£2215

OOOOPS!!!:o :eek:
And as a result our OD stands at £2500:eek:

Hope that helps

Well done on posting