Is it possible and where to start?

Imbroglio

Hello,
I've been lurking on these forums for a while and when I saw the dog food debate I thought "Finally! Something I may be able to help with!"

There's a website that's really helped us but as a new user I'm not allowed to post a link :-( can understand why though. It's 'allaboutdogfood' if you want to google - basically a comparison site for different foods based on the breed of your dog. We've ended up buying a more expensive food but because it's much higher in protein and lower in things like ash and additives and things pooch can't digest properly, the recommended feeding amount is about half of the cheaper stuff so we've saved money in the long run. Our newfoundland is happier than ever and she definitely seems less hyperactive in the evenings.

Well done on making a positive start with your debt!

getmore4less

glasses, if you have a relatively simple prescription go on-line.

there are places that will do them for <£10 delivered and they are fine.

You don't save money changing the council tax to 12 months you just change the cash flow a bit.

Much easier to get used to running months with the higher rate and then have two council tax free months, get an annual bill to line up or just overpay extra those two months.


There is no student discount on council tax.

solvencyseeker

Imbroglio - thank you for the tip - will check out that website. I don't like feeding the dogs Bakers.

getmore4less - I don't have a simple prescription but OH does. That said we got new glasses last year (2 pairs from specsavers - on the credit card of course) so won't need any for a while I hope. Thanks for the Council Tax advice.

Feeling a bit down today. Reviewed our spending diary this morning (old exercise book where we have been writing down what we spend) and it did not make for good reading - more than £400 this week! I knew we must be in denial but the amount all those small spends add up to is shocking. We have got to change - as OH put it - we are a complete pair of idiots!

The good things are:
OH is on board and has stopped saying "it's not me I don't spend anything".
Younger son has started his job and if he does just two shifts (probably will do that while he's still in sixth form and then more in the hols) he will be much less reliant on us.
I have got a freezer, fridge and cupboards full of food. I've just made a huge pan of veggie and lentil curry and another of "minestrone soup" (veg soup with pasta in it). I reckon they should do 4 days meals. Menfolk have been told not to sneak extra portions!

We will continue with the diary and will be spending a lot less this week!

solvencyseeker

Feeling a bit better today. Sales on eBay this week £179! Thought we might get £5O+ ish so am well pleased. This spurred me on to sort out and list another 11 items. Takes a lot of time but hopefuly worth it.

Younger son will get paid £100 next Friday and said, without any prompting, I'm going to give you £20. So we will save the £20 a week that we have been giving him and get an extra £20. This will be put away for a uni fund.

By the way, £400 spend last week was a combination of deposit for dog kennels (wedding weekend coming up), mothers day cards and presents, black trousers for sons job and so on. The spend that was stupid was OH getting beer, because I hadn't bought any in main shop, and getting me wine too to cancel out him feeling bad about buying for himself - twice. Only £24 each time! I did manage to do the menu and shop accordingly and stick to it but that gets cancelled out when we go and buy beer and wine!

Lets hope we can have a much more frugal week and sell lots on eBay.

Think I am going to rename Sunday to eBayday!