Really need to clear my debts but debt charity cant help. What next?

BeingMe

My table didn't come out right so never mind


Also going to find out if I can switch broadband suppliers today.

BeingMe

Signature done

Willowpop

Hellooo!
Now you've given your meter readings, doe your supplier have an app? I have an app for my supplier (Ovo) on my phone and it's super simpe to send meter readings. I do this once a month on payday, which is when I pay all my other bills and mortgage etc. Literally takes 2 mins and I then know my bills are accurate.

I don't know it this will suit you, as you have your table and different ways work for different people, but I have physical envelopes for different budgets. So, for example, I have £50 a week for groceries. I take £200 out every payday and split it into 4 bundles. I can see exactly how much I have left that week and then any left at the end of the month goes into a saving account. I have an envelope for school trip/non uniform day expenses etc, so if my daughter needs to take money into school for something, it comes from that envelope that I allocate £5 a month to. I have one for her hobbies, one for petrol etc etc. It really helps me to see what I am overspending on, and if I do need extra for petrol, I have to take it from another envelope or I don't have extra petrol. It really helps me to see what is being spent where, and I find it easier than having a lump sum at the start of the month and taking what I 'need' from it.

catwoman73

You don't need a 'business' account for the amount of money you're dealing with. You just need any old simple account that you can move money in and out of and keep separate from your other earnings.

If you open a proper business account, you will be charged for every transaction in and out of the account.

BeingMe

Willowpop wrote: »

Hellooo!
Now you've given your meter readings, doe your supplier have an app? I have an app for my supplier (Ovo) on my phone and it's super simpe to send meter readings. I do this once a month on payday, which is when I pay all my other bills and mortgage etc. Literally takes 2 mins and I then know my bills are accurate.



My supplier is Utility warehouse so I will see if they have an app, that's a really good idea!

I don't know it this will suit you, as you have your table and different ways work for different people, but I have physical envelopes for different budgets. So, for example, I have £50 a week for groceries. I take £200 out every payday and split it into 4 bundles. I can see exactly how much I have left that week and then any left at the end of the month goes into a saving account. I have an envelope for school trip/non uniform day expenses etc, so if my daughter needs to take money into school for something, it comes from that envelope that I allocate £5 a month to. I have one for her hobbies, one for petrol etc etc. It really helps me to see what I am overspending on, and if I do need extra for petrol, I have to take it from another envelope or I don't have extra petrol. It really helps me to see what is being spent where, and I find it easier than having a lump sum at the start of the month and taking what I 'need' from it.

This budgeting malarkey is very new to me. Since my benefits have been sorted, I haven't massively overspent each month but I was just sort of spending what I wanted. I'm going to try this spreadsheet method first because I can see what I am 'allowed' to spend each day and I plan to tally as I go so will be updating it regularly. If this doesn't work then I will try the cash method. I'm not generally very organised but this could work for me so thank you for the suggestion.

BeingMe

Thank you Catwoman - I hadn't considered that I could just use a separate but 'normal' account. I have an inactive Halifax account so could use that? Or would I be better using my current account bank (Santander) for easy transfers? I need to open an easy access savings for things like birthdays and car repairs/servicing too but I don't want to have dozens of accounts - it's too confusing for me


In other good news - I've found some more up to date statements and my debt is a few pounds lower. I shall update my signature. I've also set up standing orders for both NL and DP for £5 and £10 to clear them a bit quicker. This will come from the money I'm saving on the extended warranty policy. If I get declined for the 0% card then the remaining £10 I saved will go to the Barclaycard.


Feel like I'm on a roll today after feeling quite desperate just a couple of days ago

Willowpop

If they don't have an app where you can give meter readings, then I'll think you could give the readings online somewhere on thier website. Again, my supplier allows this, and I don't think mine are super advanced.

BeingMe

I've just checked and they don't do an app but I can do it online quite easily so that will be good.

BeingMe

Weird! Just called one of my credit cards and the balance is much lower than I thought it would be. They said I made a payment of £80 on the account last month. I don't remember doing this. Is there anything I should do or just leave it?

Willowpop

BeingMe wrote: »

Weird! Just called one of my credit cards and the balance is much lower than I thought it would be. They said I made a payment of £80 on the account last month. I don't remember doing this. Is there anything I should do or just leave it?

Can they send/email you a statement? this would show all your transactions, both debits and credits.