Too much month at the end of the money, radical ideas needed!

Stef_83

Hi theoretica, yes £35 a month saved would definitely be good! I'm not sure of the exact rules either so I've just written to my local council to ask them to clarify the situation.

Yes I believe it would save money if we got a water meter fitted. I'm not sure if that's possible in a rented flat, but I have just written to the water company to find out if they can fit one. If they can then I will check with the landlord, if they say yes then happy days

ellesbellesxxx

I know it's really important to gvie to charity but even 10 pounds a month is a lot when you have 86 shortfall - giving this up for time being would bring you down to 76!
Moreover, you will prob still be giving to charity - charity shops, sponsorship etc...


Worth joining cashback site too, esp for breakdown, insurances etc!

Monkeyballs

Stef_83 wrote: »

Hi Monkeyballs, thank you for your helpful post and for welcoming me to MSE I've searched for how to write a SOA, I will pop it on the forum shortly. Nice spot with the pension contributions - I've had a trawl through the T&C's and we can reduce contributions by £50 per month without loosing out!!

Happy to help! but this is important, as soon as you are in a better place financially then you should look at increasing your contributions again

You've already had some good suggestions so I'll not repeat them but you could look at joining a cashback site like Quidco to rustle up a few extra quid?

Also, and I hate to say it maybe knock the charitable contributions on the head? I know it's only a tenner but harity begins at home and all that... Or if that's not something you want to do then you could do Quidco and donates whatever you make to charity instead?

Edit: Darn you Ellesbelles getting in before me! LOL x

MB

Stef_83

Hi Weird Nev, yes groceries has to be one of the main opportunities. I think I will have a home cooking session next weekend, make my own frozen ready meals and take them with me for the week. I do eat a lot of fruit, which seems to be expensive, probably about 30% of the cost is fruit. Maybe I can get them cheaper from Aldi or Lidl...

You're right about the salary, actually I'm at the office in Warwickshire but they have a London office as well, I want to see if I can get a transfer there eventually, so I can move back in with my DW. 26k sure is very low for a management position at a FTSE 100 but I did feel quite lucky to get it, I was only a graduate trainee previously at a competitor, and I hadn't even finished the grad scheme!

Stef_83

ellesbellesxxx wrote: »

I know it's really important to gvie to charity but even 10 pounds a month is a lot when you have 86 shortfall ...

Agreed. Good point, we can give this up temporarily and still give to charity by shopping in charity shops instead, and double bonus - make some savings by buying second hand instead of new! Will add it to the list :T

Stef_83

Monkeyballs, ellesbellesxxx

Glad you both said about the charity thing, feel better about cutting that one out!

Cashback - got this one nailed as I've spotted this on MSE before, I do use TopCashBack Noticed RAC are offering some good rates on breakdown assistance so will definitely look at this when the renewal comes up.

Monkeyballs

Not sure if you've ever heard of it before but there is a great website called Hotukdeals.com

For example, I spotted this today and thought you might find it useful? http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/5-off-40-spend-aldi-with-daily-record-mirror-thursday-23rd-1797668

MB

Fmess

Stef_83 wrote: »

I do eat a lot of fruit, which seems to be expensive, probably about 30% of the cost is fruit. Maybe I can get them cheaper from Aldi or Lidl...

Hi

I would definitely swap to Aldi. My OH and I did this about 6 months ago and now spend on average £40 a week on food/toiletries/household products (used to be £60-£70). I find it helps because there is lots less choice, there is just one or two options for each product, so you don't get tempted to buy offers on more expensive brands.

I find their fruit and veg really cheap compared to other supermarkets. Each week they have 6 fruit/veg really cheap (49p-69p) so I buy these and then a few other bits and pieces that I like. The only thing with the fruit and veg is that they don't always restock throughout the day so occasionally I have been after work and the shelves have been nearly bare. I find going after 7.30 in the evening or first thing on a Saturday or Sunday morning the best.

Hope this helps.

Fmess

Stef_83 wrote: »

Noticed RAC are offering some good rates on breakdown assistance so will definitely look at this when the renewal comes up.

Can you get breakdown cover with your car insurance? Mine is £35 a year through Direct Line and with Green Flag.

megxan

Definitely another vote for getting cheaper breakdown cover. I get mine with the RAC for £29.99 per year any car, passenger or driver. I also got cash back from topcashback as well although I can't remember how much.

Do you think it may be worth investing in a slow cooker? You can get cheap yellow sticker stew packs throw it on before work and then its ready when you come home from work? Would be enough for a few days. Also freezable then as well if you wanted.