Time to pay the piper, butcher, the baker and candlestick maker!

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threepenny_bit
threepenny_bit Posts: 463 Forumite
First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
edited 10 December 2013 at 6:41AM in Debt-free wannabe
Have just done a review of debts as it is nearly the end of the year, after the initial shock and horror I have calmed down enough to sort myself out. I keep putting it off and saying 'oh next year' ... well next year is nearly here and as I have bought all my Christmas gifts and have most of the food sorted I am going to start now. I have another payday during December so am starting the figures now. Hubby is on board and willing to help.

Not including the mortgage which I will continue overpaying a little each month just to round up the numbers I owe 20,250 :eek: :eek:
CC1 - 9300(2.99% till May)
CC2 - 750 (16%)
Loan - 4200 (19%)
HP1 - 2000 ( has 4 more payments at 0% )
Wedding expenses - 4000

I WILL pay this off this year.
Now I need to consider how to do this. Ideas so far
*sort out things to sell on Facebook group or ebay
*cut the food budget as much as possible by using the tons of stuff in freezer and cooking from scratch rather than taking the lazy way out and buying too much pre made stuff
EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
March February $300 January $196

My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
«13456

Comments

  • threepenny_bit
    Options
    Just seeing these numbers written down make my stomach turn but I know with everyones help I will be more accountable and less likely to give up.
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
  • bottleofred
    bottleofred Posts: 2,902 Forumite
    Options
    Hi Dincanada,

    Well done on realising your debt needs to be tackled. Good luck on your debt free journey.
    If you've nothing decent to say, perhaps you shouldn't say anything.

    £2 savings jar £300:D
    Total credit card debts £1250:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: - Will I ever learn!!
  • National_Debtline
    National_Debtline Posts: 7,998 Organisation Representative
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Hi Dincanada

    It can take a lot of effort to acknowledge the size of one's debts and I'm sure it wasn't enjoyable typing it out, but well done for sharing. Are you planning to put up an SoA here sometime soon?

    http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

    It would then allow forumites to make useful suggestions on possible areas where you could make savings.

    Good luck

    Dennis @NDL
    We work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps
  • threepenny_bit
    Options
    I am not quite at a point to put the SOA up for everyone for to see - I have done one and printed it out but that's all so far
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
  • threepenny_bit
    threepenny_bit Posts: 463 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    edited 23 January 2014 at 5:26AM
    Options
    ok feel strong enough to post the SOA lol!
    Please remember this is all in dollars and not GBP.

    Household Information[/b]
    Number of adults in household........... 2
    Number of children in household.........
    Number of cars owned.................... 2

    Monthly Income Details

    Monthly income after tax................ 1200
    Partners monthly income after tax....... 4000
    Benefits................................ 0
    Other income............................ 0
    Total monthly income.................... 5200


    Monthly Expense Details

    Mortgage................................ 2000 ( I overpay by around $168) No longer overpaying - putting towards debts first
    Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 871- only 4 more months and this is reduced to 371
    Rent.................................... 0
    Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
    Council tax............................. 273
    Electricity............................. 100
    Gas..................................... 100
    Oil..................................... 0
    Water rates............................. 65
    Telephone (land line and mobile)................... 55

    TV Licence.............................. 0 - no TV licence here, it is included in the cable charge
    Satellite/Cable TV...................... 50 TV and phone/internet are all rolled together here - no choice to pay individually
    Internet Services....................... 50
    Groceries etc. ......................... 250
    Clothing................................ 25 ..... got clothes for Christmas so using this money towards debt for next few months
    Petrol/diesel........................... 200

    Car Insurance& tax.................. 150
    Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
    Car parking............................. 200

    Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 40

    Buildings & contentsinsurance..................... 85

    Life assurance ......................... 35
    Other insurance......................... 61
    Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 25 .... cutting to $15 and doing more knitted gifts etc
    Haircuts................................ 10
    Entertainment........................... 15 ..... not using this for next few months where possible and applying towards debt
    Holiday................................. 100 this includes the money we put away for plane fare back to UK in emergencies
    Emergency fund.......................... 50 once this reaches $200 will cut to $25 and pay rest to debt
    storage for trailer..................... 36
    Total monthly expenses.................. 4866[/b]


    Assets

    Cash.................................... 1500
    House value (Gross)..................... 600000
    Shares and bonds........................ 0
    Car(s).................................. 25000
    Other assets............................ 0
    Total Assets............................ 626500



    Secured & HP Debts

    Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
    Mortgage...................... 300000...(2000).....0
    Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... 2000.....(500)......0<
    trailer........................20000....(371)......10
    Total secured & HP debts...... 322000....-.........-


    Unsecured Debts
    Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
    CC1............................9300......125.......2.99
    CC2 ...........................750.......50........16.99
    loan...........................4200......100.......16.99
    Wedding expenses...............4000......0.........0
    Total unsecured debts..........18250.....275.......-



    Monthly Budget Summary

    Total monthly income.................... 5,200
    Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 4,866
    Available for debt repayments........... 334
    Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 275
    Amount left after debt repayments....... 59


    Personal Balance Sheet Summary
    Total assets (things you own)........... 626,500
    Total HP & Secured debt................. -322,000
    Total Unsecured debt.................... -18,250
    Net Assets.............................. 286,250



    Saving of $50 starting Jan will be applied to debt instead
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
  • threepenny_bit
    Options
    made a spreadsheet for the expenses and bills for 2014 and joined the frugal board as well. I have an unexpected date for one of our expenses and have to pay for the wedding room 1 week before - that is just over $3000 so need to plan where I can take this from. I thought I would have until the end of January to pay it.
    Any ideas??
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
  • National_Debtline
    National_Debtline Posts: 7,998 Organisation Representative
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Hi Dincanada

    I'm sorry, it hadn't occurred to me before now that you might be resident overseas (USA, I am presuming). Regrettably, we can't offer advice on debts and money issues outside of the UK, but other forumites may be able to point you in the right direction.

    Regards

    Dennis @NDL
    We work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps
  • beecher2
    beecher2 Posts: 3,677 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Hard for anyone to comment on costs in another country but the internet/phone/tv at $100 sounds a lot. Any way you can cut down the package you have?

    Same with insurance, but again have no idea what sort of insurances you need.

    Do you have money saved for an emergency fund and holiday or is this what you'd like to have?

    Could you cope with one car, or use public transport rather than paying for parking?

    Is there a US equivalent to Step Change/Citizens Advice/this forum?
  • threepenny_bit
    Options
    Thankyou for your message :)
    We have no public transport in the Town where I live and so need 2 cars. You can't walk from home to do shopping either.
    The internet/cable/phone/TV is provided here by 1 supplier, you can change to a different supplier but always for the whole package. We get a discount but it really equates to costing $155 per month for mobile/landline/Tv/internet. We only have a basic package on TV
    Our insurance for buildings covers contents also, we have a medical insurance to top up the one hubby gets at work, we have car insurance and a small life insurance on me as I am self employed.
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
  • threepenny_bit
    Options
    Hi Dennis - no problem at all lol! I lived in the UK for 40 years so feel better using a UK website and just converting the money to $
    EF - save $1000 in 2024 $70 saved

    Annual Grocery shop $496/3000 - had to increase by $500 in March as groceries were so expensive, this is now $250 per month.
    March February $300 January $196

    My Grocery vouchers not included in the annual total - I have $100 costco (Used January)
    Still have $35 Walmart and $25 Save on.

    Started a diary to help me stay on track … @Time to slash the shopping budget and use up the store cupboard
This discussion has been closed.
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