Advice needed, please?

lemanie

Hi everyone

I've been following what you've all been up to off and on for a while now and have followed some of your advice and the MSE's so thank you already, I could have done with you all years ago.

This is the first month that I have decided to really get a grip though and yesterday I did all the figures for May and have started a spending diary for June. I was appalled by our spend on groceries so have joined the June Grocery Challenge but am posting a SOA but I must admit it feels a bit like walking out of the changing room into the swimming baths and having forgotten to put my costume on:eek:

Mortgage - £530.95
Council Tax - £126 (Reduced from band D to band C thanks to the MSE)
Water - £18.09 (Metered)
Electricity/Gas - £75
Broadband - £12.98
BT - £14
18185/1899 - £10 approx (used for work also)
Mobile - £5
House Insurance - £19.82
Life Insurance - £14 (Me and DH)
Loan - £90.62 ends August
CC1 - £13.85 (Bal £288.18 @ 27.9%)
CC2DH - £5 (Bal £181.89 @ 18.9%)
CC3DH - £90.86 (Bal £3028.73 @ 3.9% LOB)
CC4 - £29.60 (Bal £1479.91 @ 3.9%LOB
HP - £27.50 (Bal £330 @ 0%)
Christmas Savings - £20 (Part of Didlum)
Charity/Church - £30
Magazine Subscription - £3.98
Clothes/Shoes - £60 (Can't stop their feet growing)
Children's Activities - £115 (includes playgroup fees for under 3 which ends Jan 2008)
Haircuts - £20

Which all equals £1332.25

Income - DH £1510.70
Me - Ave £180
Child Ben - £183.30 (paid £169.20 every 4 weeks)
Tax Credit - £226.01 (paid £208.62 every 4 weeks)

Which comes to £2100.01

Now that looks pretty good but the following is why we don't come out on top each month and where I need help!

In May we spent £514.80 on food and toiletries, £42.60 on beer, £101.65 on gifts, £668.47 on the house and garden and £81.25 that couldn't be accounted for! Plus there were final payments Sky, DVD Rental, AA Insurance (brought contents and buildings insurance in line with good deal from Tesco) all of which I cancelled and we were overpaying on energy and water which have been reduced. Also £30.32 in charges because I forgot to transfer the money (set up SO now and bank won't give money back).

Worried about post being too long so will wait for any response/questions if you lovely folks can help (pretty please).

Shineyhappy

"In May we spent £514.80 on food and toiletries, £42.60 on beer, £101.65 on gifts, £668.47 on the house and garden and £81.25 that couldn't be accounted for! Plus there were final payments Sky, DVD Rental, AA Insurance (brought contents and buildings insurance in line with good deal from Tesco) all of which I cancelled and we were overpaying on energy and water which have been reduced. Also £30.32 in charges because I forgot to transfer the money (set up SO now and bank won't give money back)."

This is the bit that screams out. How many are you feeding? Does the 514.80 include takeaways or meals out as that is an awful lot to be spending on food. I find the best tip is batch cooking as we all lazy days where we cant be bothered to cook so having a curry in the freezer to just nuke is amazing and stops you ordering take outs or eating more expensive ready meals/convience food.

The gifts also seem quite high. Do you think you are maybe too generous?

What does the home and garden cash account for?

I would also cancel the magazine subscription and cut down/out the charity donation until you are more on your feet.

good luck getting everything paid off

lemanie

Thanks ShineyHappy

We are feeding 2 adults, 3 children (1 in nappies), 2 goldfish and 1 budgie. No we don't eat out/order in. The only ready meal was a treat 'cause we were on holiday the rest is fresh meat and veg - I have no idea how it got to this much and don't have all the receipts.

The house and garden was decorating 2 rooms, carpets for the same, decking for the garden and lots of plants!:o But it does all look good.

The mag subscription is 'Horrible Science' for DD and DS1 who really enjoy it. Also I want to continue giving to my church, would like to be in a position to give more, so would really appreciate help saving the money elsewhere?