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Spiralling

Hi guys,

Been reading posts on here for a while but never actually posted. On a debt management plan £9k worth of debt and been struggling to keep to budget as I am a spendthrift!! Obviously that's how I got into this mess in the first place.

I'm paying £92.16 per month to my creditors and I've not been having much of a social life for the last 9 months. However, I was fed up of being broke and had a secret credit card, which I've managed to run up £700 on and now there's £10 interest on it p month. Also I got a new mobile -on contract believe it or not, as I was on PAYG before so I didn't think I'd get the credit option. I am paying about the same as it's a good deal so I'm not that worried about that. Also I've subscribed back to SKY a I've not been going out much.

I've just reworked my budget and I'm £40 in the red per month!!! I've overstretched myself again and I'm going to end up in a mess again. My mum will kill me if she finds out. I've only got about £50 to last me til the end of the month and I've got to eat, buy petrol, etc. Arggghhhhh!!

Any ideas would be appreciated. I think I need chaining to the sofa!!!

Choc
:confused:

This is what payplan worked out for me

salary 1150.15

Mortgage 444.77
House ins 30.62
council tax 66.96
water rates 14.34
electricity 20.00
gas 40.00
phone 12.00
car tax 18.00
car ins 39.15
car maint/mot 20.00
petrol 6000
car parking 10.00
housekeeping 180.00
med/dent/opt 18.00
haircuts 8.00
clothes 20.00
tv lic 11.37
pets 25.00
sky 20.00
mob 20.00
secret credit crd 20.00
payplan 92.16
1190.37
Deficit -40.22
«13

Comments

  • Snaggles
    Snaggles Posts: 19,503 Forumite
    Hi choccy, welcome to debt free wannabe - if you pop your soa up (see southern scousers thread for a template for this) we can have a look and see if there are any areas you can save money. In the short term, have you got anything you can eBay etc to bring in a bit of quick cash?

    Are you able to cancel the contract phone or the sky at all (not sure if you get a cooling off period with these?) - if not, will they reduce your contract down to the bare minimum per month?

    Don't panic, yes you've probably made a couple of mistakes, but haven't we all, and your monthly deficit isn't THAT bad, so hopefully we can help get you back on track.
    "I wasn't wrong, I just wasn't right enough."
    :smileyhea
    9780007258925
  • choccy999
    choccy999 Posts: 49 Forumite
    Thanks for the post. I've put my SOA up.

    I'm putting stuff on ebay at the moment, but it will only be enough to hobble me through til the end of the month.

    Choc
  • Emmzi
    Emmzi Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    £40 short a month looks like sky resubscription + secret cc to me?

    Can you cut up the cc? (are you aware using this is grounds for creditors to withdraw from DMP? Sorry, but you will dig a bigger hole if you persist in using it.)

    What can you ebay to raise the £700 to clear? (Newish phone with contract?)
    Debt free 4th April 2007.
    New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.
  • choccy999
    choccy999 Posts: 49 Forumite
    I know yes. I really shouldn't have used the credit card. When I started my dmp it had a zero balance on it and I was using it in emergencies. I'm not quite sure what to do about it now. I just can't help myself.

    Are there any alternatives? Thought of trying to transfer the balance but then I could get into more trouble for applying for more credit.

    Yes the phone is new a Nokia 6300. I suppose I could sell it. I'm such a silly girl!!!

    Choc
  • Snaggles
    Snaggles Posts: 19,503 Forumite
    Selling the phone would definitely be an option if you can't cancel the contract - it should raise quite a bit on eBay.

    Can you work any extra hours to bring some extra money in?
    "I wasn't wrong, I just wasn't right enough."
    :smileyhea
    9780007258925
  • Emmzi
    Emmzi Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think applying for a new card would be Very Bad.

    That nokia seems to be selling from £100 to £150, ish, on ebay.

    If you don't buy new clothes and cancel sky, you can still repay £20a month on this cc.

    Failing that, it's overtime/weekend job, I think.
    Debt free 4th April 2007.
    New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.
  • choccy999
    choccy999 Posts: 49 Forumite
    Thanks both. I really don't seem to think about these things. I could end up losing my house, but it doesn't seem to register.

    Thanks so much for the advice. I've also got a digi cam and some other bits I could sell.

    Cheers,

    Choc

    PS Also looking for p/t work online.
  • Emmzi
    Emmzi Posts: 8,658 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Choc,

    just to wish you luck! I know I sound bossy but I hope it works out for you! Come and post again any time!

    xx
    Debt free 4th April 2007.
    New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.
  • kiwigirl
    kiwigirl Posts: 383 Forumite
    Hi Choccy

    Not sure if you're in ES but have you got a spare room for lodger, if you do work within emergency services people are always trying to share with colleagues to reduce costs? OK some things gas, electricity etc would go up but it may be able to help with some of the bills?

    Otherwise ebay, amazon, cut the sky etc in short term and shop around when insurances are due?

    KG
  • choccy999
    choccy999 Posts: 49 Forumite
    Thanks for the advice KG.

    I do have a spare room

    Choc.
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