I am in a mess and don't know what to do

chazsucks

I've just read through this whole thread and it honestly doesn't appear that you are really trying to help the situation? Nearly every single suggestion has been shot down


Council tax

You may be able to get council tax reduction if you are disabled (up to 100%). On the GOV website it says that this is if your house is bigger than it would have been if you were not disabled, however my mum gets a decent council tax reduction for disability and her place is too small - her wheelchair scraps the walls of the hallway as it's too narrow, yet the council agreed to a discount.

Water rates

Seems a lot for two people on a meter. If due to a medical reason contact your water company, they may discount the rate. Also if on certain benefits many water companies give discount so it's worth speaking to them and checking

Groceries

Again that is a lot for 2 people. Check out the old style board, meal plan, use my supermarket, coupons, apps like shopitize, collect points (i.e. nectar) and use them etc

Car related expenses

uselessnow wrote: »

Ditching car not an option. OH needs his for work and I need mine to get around. Do not live in an area that has a regular bus service

A lot of people live in areas with limited bus service, and plan their outings / chores around the bus timetables

You may be able to get a taxi card if you are disabled. My mum does and each taxi journey for her costs less than a bus fare, plus you get picked up and dropped off anywhere. The drivers also help you into your house if you need it, take shopping in for you etc.

uselessnow wrote: »

We couldn't afford to swap the cars. I need my car because of my health condition and OH needs his as he can do upto £35,000 mile a year depending on where he is working. Smaller cars would not be beneficial to us.

If your OH does a lot of miles why wouldn't a cheaper, more efficient, cheaper car be beneficial? You could save a lot on petrol, road tax and insurance by swapping at least one of the cars if you refuse to get rid of either

Gas / electric

uselessnow wrote: »

I have claimed Winter Fuel grant previously but not available to apply this year yet

Why not available? Scheme is still running

Treats

uselessnow wrote: »

I know my money situation is very tight but I need some spending money for me. A cuo of coffee, a magazine, lunch out etc.

uselessnow wrote: »

I would fail on the whole debt recovery plan if I had no money to treat myself now and again.
I am struggling as it is.

You can treat yourself without spending money.

A cup of coffee - make one at home. Save up reward points, or do surveys for vouchers - use these for a nice coffee machine.

Magazines - You can read magazines or books at the library, or ask for a subscription to your favourite as a birthday present

Lunch out - usually lunch or dinner out will be a lot more expensive than eating at home! Why not make a picnic and take it out to a local park. Or again look for deals, coupons, vouchers... some survey sites give luncheon vouchers as rewards.

uselessnow wrote: »

We can afford living expenses as long as I stop spending

GaleSF63

Ask on Freecycle/Freegle for magazines.

asparagus1968

Hi OP,
There has been stacks of advise suggested for you up to now.


How about you start posting with the things you have put into action?
As well as keeping track, it will give you positiveness and motivation, and you may well help others with your story.


Go on, make a start today

chesky

Do you REALLY think your husband is not, at some point, likely to find out about your finances? I can understand that you're frightened to have the conversation but, really, unless he's a real thicko, he's going to twig sometime very soon. Apart from anything else, if you carry on the way you're doing, some nice bailiff will knock at the door one day and the your old man will go absolutely potty. Better to get it over now. And stop making excuses for spending when you know quite well what it's doing.

Nobody here has a magic wand to make it better.

[Deleted User]

[ Car related expenses

A lot of people live in areas with limited bus service, and plan their outings / chores around the bus timetables
There is no bus service in our area.

If your OH does a lot of miles why wouldn't a cheaper, more efficient, cheaper car be beneficial? You could save a lot on petrol, road tax and insurance by swapping at least one of the cars if you refuse to get rid of either
His car is cost efficient but in the past few months he has been working 160 miles ( one way) away.

Gas / electric
Why not available? Scheme is still running
Yes the scheme is still running but you can't apply for it with our energy company at the moment. I will apply again once it is open to claim

[Deleted User]

asparagus1968 wrote: »

Hi OP,
There has been stacks of advise suggested for you up to now.


How about you start posting with the things you have put into action?
As well as keeping track, it will give you positiveness and motivation, and you may well help others with your story.


Go on, make a start today

I have stopped going out so no money spent there. I have turned down trips out for lunch with friends.


Nothing else to report at the moment.

[Deleted User]

chesky wrote: »

Do you REALLY think your husband is not, at some point, likely to find out about your finances? I can understand that you're frightened to have the conversation but, really, unless he's a real thicko, he's going to twig sometime very soon. Apart from anything else, if you carry on the way you're doing, some nice bailiff will knock at the door one day and the your old man will go absolutely potty. Better to get it over now. And stop making excuses for spending when you know quite well what it's doing.

Nobody here has a magic wand to make it better.

I have reported your post. I didn't ask you to slag my husband off. Maybe you should keep your nose out of something you nothing about. Please keep your spiteful comments to yourself

[Deleted User]

I have updated my SOA with new amounts on the credit cards. Amounts have gone up as we had to buy a new washing machine a few weeks since. The old one had expired. This showed me that I need to some money put away for these sort of emergencies


Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household.........
Number of cars owned.................... 2
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 1500
Benefits................................ 524.4
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 2024.4
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 506
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 164
Electricity............................. 28
Gas..................................... 28
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 26
Telephone (land line)................... 5.5
Mobile phone............................ 12
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 160
Clothing................................ 2.5
Petrol/diesel........................... 300
Road tax................................ 44.16
Car Insurance........................... 51.5
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 41.66
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 14
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 12.5
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 22.38
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 2.5
Haircuts................................ 7.33
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
windowcleaner........................... 10
Total monthly expenses.................. 1450.15

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 300000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 6000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 306000

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Mortgage...................... 65100....(506)......4
Total secured & HP debts...... 65100.....-.........-
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
n..............................11154.....252...... .22.9
t..............................1622.43...86....... .21.9
s..............................5754.02...119.3.... .21.9
m..............................1701.52...26.5..... .6.9
Total unsecured debts..........20231.97..483.8.....-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 2,024.4
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,450.15
Available for debt repayments........... 574.25
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 483.8
Amount left after debt repayments....... 90.45
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 306,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -65,100
Total Unsecured debt.................... -20,231.97
Net Assets.............................. 220,668.03

Anoneemoose

uselessnow wrote: »

I have reported your post. I didn't ask you to slag my husband off. Maybe you should keep your nose out of something you nothing about. Please keep your spiteful comments to yourself

Not sure how this is offensive in the slightest, you might want to re read.

Anoneemoose

chesky wrote: »

Do you REALLY think your husband is not, at some point, likely to find out about your finances? I can understand that you're frightened to have the conversation but, really, unless he's a real thicko, he's going to twig sometime very soon. Apart from anything else, if you carry on the way you're doing, some nice bailiff will knock at the door one day and the your old man will go absolutely potty. Better to get it over now. And stop making excuses for spending when you know quite well what it's doing.

Nobody here has a magic wand to make it better.

I meant this not offensive, it is just a figure of speech and a way of expressing chesky's point which is similar to a lot of others who have posted on here for you.