Ok I promised it in my first post (Our SOA)

lmw1977

Should have said...the HSBC Loan was fixed.
{gulp} boy I feel a twit (with a silent "w") about this now but...yes it was a consolidation and yes the cc and overdraft happend after...cc is now in the safe though so no more on it!

Also should've said I recently got Martins book out of the library so that has helped...so if it sounds like I'm just batting your replies back I have done a lot of stuff, but I know there's stuff you can give me so all replies are welcome I am not trying to avoid advice or owt like that.

Mobile phones, I now have a company phone, my wife is dropping to PAYG which should be minimal as I can call her from mine which so long as I'm not stupid with work will pick up the tab for.

Xmas and birthday we're looking in the region of 30 individuals. So 60 presents. We have only been putting up the max amount for a few months...so we can still knock it on the head, or rather drive it right down.

We've switched to ebay/charity shops for kids clothes so this figure should drop down, also as I see it we're not spending that figure monthly anymore.

Regarding the council tax thanks for the input however I've been on the main site a lot recently too: I'm not paying more than my neighbours and also it doesn't make sense for me to check my council tax banding as we're in A.

Re the 2 cars and Public Transport: Yes...long story, but last year I was in an ok situation financially so I took on another car whilst my brother went to work abroad...since I cannot afford the car tax on it it's off the road I still have to keep it insured (it's dropped down to tpf&t from fully comp) to keep it safe as I will have to give it back on my brothers return (end of sept). I know...I know...however there's not much I can do on this front, I've found the cheapest insurance I can and I'm learning the lesson. Well unless you guys n girls can come up with another idea?

Childcare isn't unmonitored childcare: it's 9.00 per month on attending nursery sessions, to clarify these are basically play and learn sessions for my daughter which will become free (paid for by the government) as she reaches the relevant age next year.

We'll look at reducing the eating out figure, hopefully (if the weather plays the game) I can get the wife to enjoy picnics in the park with the kids.

Sorry what's the OS Board?

P.S. If i've not responded directly to you I just wanted to say: I am reading each post and taking on board your views, thanks for taking the time all responses open the mind.

tigtag02

OK - as for the eating out why not get Mrs lmw to register for all the mystery shopping sites, that way she can still eat out and recoup a good amount of the cost (the assignments might sometimes only be for one) and sometimes also get paid to do so

There is a sticky on this board about mystery which has all the websites on the first page.

One which I am sure sure is on there is www.mysterydining.co.uk which if your lucky will be recruiting in your area, if not keep trying. My SIL eats out at least twice a month with this company :)

Welcome to DFW
tigtag
x

lmw1977

I think I'm with you now the OS Board = Old Style Thrift...correct me if I'm wrong.

Ta.

tigtag02

OS=Old Style

Basically means cook from scratch - I have done this and reduced our shopping bill to about £40 a week, thats for 2 adults & 2 kids.

We dont go without (still have biccies, etc), have fresh fruit & veg and the kids love to *help*, although yours might be a little young yet

tigtag
PS: we're just off to make a marshmallow & chocolate pie :eek:

Smashing

lmw1977 wrote: »

Xmas and birthday we're looking in the region of 30 individuals. So 60 presents. We have only been putting up the max amount for a few months...so we can still knock it on the head, or rather drive it right down..

Do you really need to buy xmas presents for 30 people?

Silverbird

OS = Old-Style.

Here's the board:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=33

This is a useful thread:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=56929

mrsspendalot

Yep, I have been spending between £35 and £45 a week on food inc. nappies and wipes since visiting the OS board. I have 2 adults and 3 children (7, 3 and 15 mths) to feed so it can be done!!

findingmyownway

60 xmas presents!!!!!

Thats a massive task, is there any way you can cut this down (say, just buy for under 16s, the rest get a nice handmade card and/or mince pies?). Surely that would be a weight off your minds? Christmas is one day in the year, no need to get yourselves into debt for it (i am sure the people you buy for wouldn't want that either!)

re the second car, could you declare it as 'off the road' so no longer pay road tax? (SORN from post office) also i think owning a car without insurance isnt illegal, only driving it. so if you have a garage which you feel 100% comfortable it isnt going to get stolen from then you could cancel that too?

emzig123

Hiya, does your wife go to a mothers and toddlers group in your area, if she doesn't then is there one she can go to. It'll stop the boredom and mean she doesn't need to eat out. She may also make new friends whose houses she can go round to for coffee etc.

Food can defo be reduced, especially as your wife is at home she can cook from scratch.

Good luck!

HelzBelz

For the Christmas and Birthday gift couldn't you set a spend limit with members of your family, so you don't spend more than £10 per person, and they do the same, you have to be a little more creative, making hampers up from silly things etc, but that'd make Chrismas £300 (for 30 people) instead of £816, and I can't see you needing the other £516 for Christmas Food, I normally spend about £150 and that includes booze and at least 1 party for 20-30 people