Advice for a new member

Bigsister

Hello

As my name suggests, I am a big sister to a little sister with money problems.
She comes to me as I seem to manage mine, but everyone is different.
She is a single mum, two boys and a 4 day a week job. Nursery takes up a chuck, as does rent and utilities. She gets minimum child support, tax credits and nursery credits, but still does not seem to make ends meet.
How can I help her, any suggestions?
I have paid her debts off before but I need to get her to address things herself and not rely on me, but i don't want her to think she cannot come to me.

I would appreciate any help, especially from anyone in a similar situation. She is about 2-3,000 in debt that i know of. I am going to sit with her again and see if we can reduce anything by swapping to different insurance people or banks, but not sure if I will cover all bases.

Thanks. (This is such a good site-wish i had found it sooner)

Bigsister

GirlRacer_2

Hi Bigsister and welcome aboard. Your doing the right thing for your sister and she should be very proud of you. Is there any chance you can post your sisters statement of affairs (see southern scousers 'first time post' thread on the first page) and we'll all have a look through and see where she can save money.

Its good that your not prepared to bail her out as she really needs to be re-educated with her spending. Her debt is relatively low but however low it is if it stresses her out then its a problem.

whatatwit

Hi Bigsister, have you also considered claiming back any bank charges, if she has struggled before, then she may have incurred charges.

There is a board for this further down the main list.

I can only echo Girlracer's comments above.

southern_chick

what a lovely sister, welcome to MSE you will get tons of advice on here to help your sister out (i can't offer any advice, just wanted to say welcome)

SC XX

Triker

Well, how long is a ball of string. You and your sister can get advice and helpful pointers on just about everything here.

Maybe nursery vouchers for the childcare, credit card tarting to get 0% deals and transfer balances, reclaiming bank charges, switching to cheaper utility providers, getting shopping bill down in order to save the on food budget, free vouchers -Pigsback- and money from internet shopping -Quidco, to mention but a few.


Even, dare I say, starting to prepare now for Christmas, sounds daft but I cannot tell you how much pre planning helps.


Last but not least is a really warm and genuine welcome from just about everyone on the boards.:T


Please read this disclaimer; this site is highly addictive and no one accepts responsibility for the funny looks you'll start to get when all you rave on about is MSE.

Mozette

Triker - not too soon for Christmas, we're nearly halfway there! Oh heck, that's depressed me...

Sea78

:hello:

Welcome to the board - I would echo what's been said already - it's definitely addictive! Well worth perhaps printing out the Newbies post (at top) and working through it with your sister then you/she can post it up and we can see what areas we could help with? Has she got internet access of her own?

Sea xxx

LookingAhead

Hi BigSister!

I am sure there is a lot that can be done to make savings and to generally change her outlook on money.

As has already been suggested, if an SOA can be posted up, then the advice can really begin!

How lovely of you to lead the way on this, I hope she will willingly follow.

taxi73

Hi Bigsister and welcome...what a lovely sister you are and quite rightly should not bail her out.A SOA is a good idea along with a spending diary..as it's surprising where all those bits of money go...
I'm sure we will be able to help her make savings.The OS board is really good as well for tips on cooking and cleaning cheaply amongst other things.

Bigsister

Hi

Thanks for all of this, I will read and then get the to the nitty gritty with her and come back to you.
Thanks for the nice welcome.
Bigsister