How do people afford to drive/have a social life?

astonsmummy

My income is around £1k a month and i run my car, have a socail life (sometimes) pay childcare, rent, ctax, bills etc to pay, i think it's mainly about budgeting.

hilstep2000

I earn £400 a month + Tax credits, Child Benefit for one child and DLA for me. £1000 in total. I run a car, and have a social life, and no debts. Maybe it's just better money management you need. Martin has a great budget to download. Others may be able to help too.

Poppycat

We dont have a huge income but compared with some our mortgage is no where near as high as others pay that does make a big difference.

We also dont have much debt having paid most of it off

liney

Perhaps you could post a statement showing what you spend your money on monthy, and bills, as we could see if there is anything obvious you could get cheaper elsewhere?

wisbech_lad

You OH looks to earn less than the median salary... Maybe other people do just earn more? (or borrow more, which ain't so good)

Mummy2Two_3

Firstly im really sorry i havent replied until now...i have tried but my internet connection was playing up:mad:

Thank you everyone who to the time to reply to my post :T it has opened my eyes to the fact that if we budget more then we CAN do this:rolleyes: i take my hat off to all of you that manage on less...i will be browsing the boards for tips;)

I cant post details of outgoings as my partner isnt happy for me too and i respect his wishes. But i will say we do not have a morgage and we do not have any credit cards/store cards/loans etc.

Once again thank you for your time:D

bestpud

Mummy2Two wrote: »

But i will say we do not have a morgage and we do not have any credit cards/store cards/loans etc.

I think that may be part of your answer. Unfortunately, many people do appear to have a better lifestyle but they don't actually 'own' much of it. People on here are very adept at budgeting but most of the people you see on a day to day basis won't be, believe me!

I know you don't want to go to the lengths of posting you soa, but you could still check out your utility bills etc on the relevent forums - if you can be doing it cheaper, then someone on here will know how!

liney

My suggestions: check utilities on one of the comparison sites.

Meal plan, so that you only actually buy what you need. Look at oldstyle board for ideas on what you can cook cheaply. Maybe add some Veggie meals to your week to cut costs abit. Shopping online can be cheaper for people who can't stick to a list!

Keep a spending diary for the next couple of weeks and include everthing you spend. You might be suprised on how many odds and sods you actually buy.

robnye

try the spending diary to see where the non-allocated money is going.......
do the soa but keep it to yourself, then use that to search the forum for cost cutting ideas.....

i have 3 dd's, a reasonable income but very little social.... partyl due to taxiing/paying for dd's activities - but thats our choice......

firesidemaid

if you do not think you will be able to afford a car and all its associated costs, don't spend the money on learning to drive.

i think if you can live without a car, it is a great thing. i would love to, but i wouldn't be able to get to work.

we didn't have a car as children and it was the best thing for us. saved the family money, we were fitter and talked to each other as we were walking.

i think as you spend more and more time on this site, especially the old-style and DFW threads and see other people's soas and the replies you will be able to see what savings there are to be made.