I'm a DFW help me!

OverRated

On the flip side the car should mean lower costs but you are saving £35 a month? Is the gym being used enough to warrant to cost - consider other options. Is the mobile phone cost just for you - consider cheaper options like Ovivo. The my area is going to be meal planning and shifting the brands down.

Tabatha_Kitten

Check your council tax figure is correct - Seems very low.

abbiesmom

I will consider other options but at the moment I cant see them as do-able.

Will certainly look at downbranding with the groceries as they do tend to be branded and stupid things like disney cars this and that which costs a fortune for the tiniest of tins!

Can't actually switch my phone just yet as am in contract but will deffo see if I can drop a tariff.

Re the council tax - that's the amount they take by DD so I guess it's right - maybe I've overpaid in the past? Should check really but would hate to see it go up!!!

Things are tight but manageable - I'm overpaying we've had luxuries and we have savings but I constantly say no to the kids or not today for things like ice cream etc (and I tell you the darn ice cream van comes around every day without fail)

I never carry cash so find that when I do check my bank balance it's like anything I want will have to wait until the next payday as I've overspent somewhere along the line though to date have never missed any payments since setting up the plans after finding out about the debt. I just keep worrying that something else will come up from pre-divorce that I know nothing about to sting me

poppasmurf_bewdley

Sorry to go back to your car, but you say "It's the only thing for me." That 'only thing for you' is costing you much more than your total housing costs when you add in HP payment, tax, insurance, MOT, etc. And you still owe almost as much in debt as the car is worth (that is if your estimate of its value is correct.) Most people overestimate how much their vehicle is worth.

And how do you only have to pay £22.50pm Council Tax? It seems very low. Mine is £110 per month. Are you in receipt of CT benefit?

You should be able to shave £100 of your monthly shopping bill. Even £150.

Your contents insurance charge is horrific. I pay just over £100 per year. You are paying about five times more than me!

How much do you have in your emergency fund, into which you are putting £50 a month? Or is that your £900 cash?

And cancel the gym membership.

EDIT. Just noticed you have sorted your Contents Insurance.

soontobemrsg

Well done for getting your contents insurance down :T and spending so little on your weekly shop. Don't overdo Christmas it's just one day.

Have a look at the old style board for more info on cutting your shop.

When exactly does interest start going on the overdraft and do you intend to use your £900 savings to pay this?

I am in agreement with overpaying the car - assuming you will keep it and not heed the advice of other posters if this is the only one generating any interest payments at present. What exactly does your contract say in terms of overpayment as often with HP agreements you only reduce the term and not the cost - check on the loans board though, I know I saw a post there recently and I am just advising based on this so could be worth a read as I may have misunderstood it.

How long has the HP agreement been in place - based on the figures it's fairly new but this could be down to high interest?

I know of your desire to be selfish - I feel that way too sometimes and I'm sure everyone on this board has done it one time or another but the car really is the killer in your SOA (along with your shopping). But well done you for keeping up all payments on everything to date :T

Good luck

Takeaway_Addict

abbiesmom wrote: »

I will consider other options but at the moment I cant see them as do-able.

Will certainly look at downbranding with the groceries as they do tend to be branded and stupid things like disney cars this and that which costs a fortune for the tiniest of tins!

Can't actually switch my phone just yet as am in contract but will deffo see if I can drop a tariff.

Re the council tax - that's the amount they take by DD so I guess it's right - maybe I've overpaid in the past? Should check really but would hate to see it go up!!!

Things are tight but manageable - I'm overpaying we've had luxuries and we have savings but I constantly say no to the kids or not today for things like ice cream etc (and I tell you the darn ice cream van comes around every day without fail)

I never carry cash so find that when I do check my bank balance it's like anything I want will have to wait until the next payday as I've overspent somewhere along the line though to date have never missed any payments since setting up the plans after finding out about the debt. I just keep worrying that something else will come up from pre-divorce that I know nothing about to sting me

If image is everything for you I would suggest this as a ploy

Sell the car, buy a good conditioned car of the same or similar stature and then buy a cheap personalised number plate and stick this on.

The only really car buffs will know how old the car is but to people like me it always looks a new car with a personalised number plate

Could save you 10k overall