Help needed to get out of credit card dept

iammumtoone

Income (benefits and child maintenance) £800

Outgoings

Mortgage 175
Credit Card 35
Electricity 35
Gas 48
Water 28
Telephone + internet 30
Mobile 12
TV licence 12
Groceries 250
Clothing 20
Petrol 20
Road Tax 12
MOT 15
Insurance Car 25
Insurance House (B+C) 43
Presents 20
Haircut 5
Entertainment 20
Holiday 20
Other child (clubs) 20

TOTAL OUTGOING 845

This list shows that I have a deficient each month which whilst on paper its true, its not like that every month as not everything needs to be paid in the month (MOT, presents, clothing etc)

If anyone can see anything obvious I am overspending on, then please let me know. I will start writing down everything I spend and do weekly accounts to try to manage better.

Also I have been looking round the site and will join a couple of threads like the extra payment every week and no spend days, these will help me keep focused. I do realise that compared to others my situation is not bad but I would like to get control of it now before it gets worse.

thanks again to all those who have helped me so far. I do appreciate it.

sweetpea26

Hi there

The one thing that jumps out at me is the food cost. If it is just you and the child you should comfortably be able to live on £30 per week. Join the Grocery Challenge on MSE and you can pick up lots of tips. I feed 5 and extra family a few times a week comfortably for £300.

Meal planning is the best tip I can give you. Buy only what is required to cook these meals and you will be amazed how much you save. Cook your own little buns, kids love to help their mams. If you are fortunate enough to have a freezer bulk cook and freeze.

Also do you really need your car. For such little income that you have you are allocating a large amount to this cost. Could you do without it and throw what its costing you at your debt. Seems a tough decision but if it is at all possible go for it.

How much is your total debt. Include it on your signature and it will be more real to you and you will tackle it.

Hope this is of help to you and don't be too hard on yourself you are doing a good job of keeping a house over your head for you and little one.

The_Boss

Even better, if you can manage without the car and sell it then you will get an insurance rebate when you cancel (depending on how long left and any cancellation fee) as well as the money for your car - that will be a significant chunk off the debts.

iammumtoone

Thanks

Yes I was expecting people to note that about food but I didn't really want to go into too much detail however £40-50 of that cost a month is nappies. Yes my son is 5, however he does have an issue - night and day, he doesn't wear pull-ups in the day, just costs me more in washing clothes! but at night he gets through 2 - 3 and due to the size needed I have no option but to buy branded ones ): we are seeking medical help for him. However that said I am still at £50-55 a week food so £30 (food only) is a good figure to aim for, I will try that thank you.

The car is something I have been thinking about myself, I am really not sure what to do as having the car means when I find a job my travel time will be less than public transport (which is awful around this way) which then means less cost on childcare and more time with my son.

The last three jobs I have applied for would have all have been very difficult to get to via bus, involving at least two bus changes and long walks (I would estimate an average 1 hr travel time). They are not far away about 10 miles so quick and easy in the car.

moohound

As your son has some medical issues, could you see about getting some help towards the cost of nappies for him, from the NHS, I would speak to your GP or health visitor about this, you might not get anything but as it is so expensive I think it would be worth a try. Most NHS trusts will not supply continence products to children under 4, some only supply to children who attend special schools or have PMLD for example, each trust has its own policies.

Not to be impolite, but is it No1s or No2s as the management of each condition is different.

My son (mini moo hound ) who is nearly 6 has some medical issues and he got help from the physical disability service, and he has some equipment provided to help at school.