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

Nagme · 13 July 2015 at 10:55AM

Hi Use Less Now

I read a good book recently about getting out of debt. It was very good at making you see things from a positive perspective, in summary it suggests:

1. Make a list of all the essentials, plus their costs. Total.
2. Make a list of non-essentials, plus their costs. Total.
3. Make a list of income.

Obviously the income needs to be higher than the essentials. You may need to juggle your figures to make them fit!

In the essentials total, include the minimum payments required on the debts. Set up DD to pay them. add a line under the essentials list, insert "debt repayment" and an amount you can afford.
Once you've worked out how much you can allocate to each spend, the trick is to watch where the money goes, which you are doing, and stick to your budgets. Don't berate yourself, it's in the past now.

I'm doing this, I've had to make big changes, but I'm less stressed as it feels simplified.

I find excel handy for this, hope the above makes sense, how do your figures come out? Is the income above the essentials total? If not, that's when big changes need to be made.

The book is by Alan Carr, "Get out of Debt Now"

PS: We were paying £37/month for our water, I took a reading and rang them, they've lowered our bill to £27 a month and sending us £75 back

ShirePiskie · 13 July 2015 at 1:31PM

uselessnow wrote: »

Hi ShirePiskie
I have re read all the suggestions made to me and made a list.

I managed to walk down to the post box on Saturday. I struggled walking back up but I stuck with it and didn't ring oh to pick me up. I am frightened of walking down there as one time I fell down and couldn't get back up. Luckily I had my phone to ring oh. Will try it again when it is a little bit cooler.

Today I am meeting parents for lunch at a local shopping centre. I am only taking the money I need to buy fresh salad items. No cards. I gives me some exercise walking around with parents.

I have written down a meal plan for this week. I don't need any ingredients.

I can't remember if I have done anything else.

Thanks for your ideas

:T:T:T:T:T

Yay!!!

Well done you!!!

randomer · 13 July 2015 at 2:59PM

nice one OP:j

[Deleted User] · 13 July 2015 at 4:29PM

Just got back from having lunch out. Dad paid today.

I bought two items, 1.5ltr dilute orange juice and a lime. Total cost £1.20 from my budget. Well pleased with that. Means there is still money in my purse:) after a trip out.

asparagus1968 · 13 July 2015 at 6:21PM

well done you

[Deleted User] · 14 July 2015 at 3:28PM

I have just paid £12.40 to the N card. I know it isn't much but it is better than nothing. It was from a jar I keep 20p & 5p's in. The minimum payment is due out of the bank in the next couple of days as well.