A shoestring story

flamingo747

Hi peeps

I want to cut our debt. I really do. I'm ashamed of it, even though it seems so little. You see, we went bankrupt in 2009, and I (somewhat raven-like) swore nevermore! However, life and death (of our television) meant our "rebuilding credit rating" card ended up with a £200 flatscreen charge that has lingered since Aug 2012. It's been followed by takeaways, food treats in supermarkets and meals out. Its sibling funded a replacement car. We've managed, paying off bits here and there.
More later xx

flamingo747

Phone battery was dying!

A particularly nasty manager got dh in big trouble, so he resigned to keep his reference (though the company still want dh to help with his grievances against the manager!). Fortunately he's got a new job that starts at the end of Jan, but it'll be early march before his first proper pay. It's also pt rather than ft, but we'll cope. It'll be an infinitely better quality of life for him and our almost 2yo ds.

So for the time being, the plan is:
* budget like crazy
*no wasting money on food
* save all xmas money for bills
* use the last of his wages owed to pay rent so that hb can be saved to pay Feb in advance.
* switch to weekly payments for gas&elec metres
* walk instead of drive whenever possible
* be more energy efficient
*meet minimum payments, and pay off any extra a month left after shopping

I'll try and get our budget plan up

flamingo747

Today I spent £3 out in town! Needed a new sheet for ds bed but opted for £2 in charityshop rather than £5 new. Also cotton buds (not second hand).
So, weekly budget going forward

Income 0
Benefits 329

Rent 149
Ctax 25
Water (waiting til new job starts, bill not due til Feb)
Electric 18
Gas 4
Shopping 60 (2 adults, 1 toddler, German shepherd, 3 cats)
Car fuel 10
Car ins/breakdown 11
Car mot/tax (will have to wait til Feb)
Pet/home/life ins (none at the mo)
Netflix 2
Sky 14 (inc phone & bb, tied til 11/14)
Mobile broadband 5 (dh had it for work, now unemployed, tied til 11/14)
Dh mobile 8 (tied til 11/14)
My mobile 2 (tied til 11/14)
No holiday/present/emergency funds.

Debts
(9 per wk)Vanquis 747.39...... 36/month.... 39.9%
(8 per wk) Barclays 1374.37.....31/month.....29.9%

Total outgoings 329 per week. No surplus to pay debts so will be using found money / gifts etc.