Not sure where to start....Help please....

vanilla

Hi everyone, i don't really post much, i'm not even really sure where to start but here goes.
I have 3 children aged 7,4,3 and my oldest is disabled, i'm 25 and so is my husband he suffers from schizophrenia. About 3 years ago we were in alot of debt but within a year we managed to pay it all off, and felt brillant for it.
Over this last few months things have went down hill, we went on a week hoilday and really didn't have enough money so we used the money that was for direct debits and then they were late being paid and so on.
We've had a tough 6 months with my husband and his schizophrenia and he has been in hospital on 3 occasions, which has left me depressed that i can't do more for him and help him and then i spend. I''l buy things for the house and buy food but then eat out ,order clothes ,spoil the kids because i feel guilty.
We live in a small 2 bedroom house with 3 kids in a very small bedroom we applied for a grant for my daughter to get a room of her own as sharing with 2 boys she needs a room of her own but we got turned down on the grounds that she is not disabled enough (their words), anyway we decided we could move a wall in the kitchen and make the utility room into a bedroom and that me and husband could sleep their and the boys could have our room and my daughter could have the room she is in now. We've been told that we need to get at least £3000 to do that.
Then our kitchen needs to be done as it has been in for 25 years and is falling apart doors are broke and drawers really is about to fall. So i priced a kitchen and got quoted £1080.

Our income is £2080 per month

Outgoings
Direct debits =£300.00
Other bills =£100.00
Food =£400.00
Petrol =£120.00
£920.00
Debts
Capital one =£300.00
Abby cc =£1500.00
Aqua cc =£500.00
Simply be =£500.00
Littlewoods =£750.00
£ 3550.00

Needed
Kitchen =£1080.00
Room =£3000.00

I don't know what to pay first or how much plus we need to get heating for the winter . We don't pay rent or electric as FIL owns this house and he pays the electric and won't except a penny just wants us to give him a hand on the farm when he needs it. i'v tried to give him money but no won't take it.

i'm really disappointed in myself because i thought i learnt my lesson last time and i'm really annoyed that i don't know where the rest of my money goes each week ( it has to be rubbish):eek: . All my debts are paid up to date except for this month but i know it's gonna snow ball from here on.

Any help or suggestions would be great i will do anything to get out of this and get the things that is needed.

madmoney_2

ok firstly, what are "other bills"? you need to be more specific so u know where every penny is going, and 110 a week on food is a but much, could you not cut back a bit? Even if you drop to 80pw, thats a saving of 80 a month, another food shop!!
You need to keep a spending diary to see where all the moneys going hun
chin up, we r all in the same boat xxxx

smudgemanc26

I agree with MM you will need to be a bit more specific if you look at southern scousers sticky topic at the top of this board for new posters - post a complete SOA (statment of affairs) and we'll see what we can do to help. Try not to worry there are lots of people on here who have great hints and tips on how to save money.

vanilla

Thanks for replying, sorry should have stated, other bills is £60.00 on husbands credit card and £40.00 on sky, he uses his credit card all the time and then puts £60.00 a month in.
Going to get sky canceled today when husband gets home as they won't let me do it cause it's in his name.

madmoney_2

Thats great cancelling the sky, its unneccesary and you can get freeview in most areas (not in mine grrrr!!), what are the repayments u r making every month on ur debts? And can u be more specific with ur direct debits?
xxx

vanilla

Just read it thanks,
Direct debits
Ace insurance £5.99 have now cancelled
BT £109.50 per month phone bill was ran up when i wasn't here
Capital one £14.69
HFC loan £18.20
Orange £17.99 phoned getting 3 months free and then £12.99 per month
Setanta £13.00
TV £35.14 every 3 months
O2 mobile £39.84 mine
O2 mobile £39.84 husbands

vanilla

Though my direct debit were more. Have been paying about £50 on each debt a month except for this month. Don't have a clue where money has went.

madmoney_2

ok thats gerat vanilla, firstly can u cancel the o2 phones or r u contracted?
Plus have u got anything u can sell on ebay? Remember u dont always have to post them if they are large, list them as pick up only!! If you havent got a clue where the rest of ur money went then i would suggest keeping a spending diary, Ive been keeping one for the past week n i cant believe how much i was spending at the local shop!!!!

vanilla

The mobiles are contract and husbands is up in december and mine march.
I have about 10 books and 3 bin bags of clothes.

joan_brennan

hi vanilla great to see so many people giving tangible financial support. What about the rest of the support? Your husband's condition must give you real stress ( i use this term advisedly) and three kids ! one disabled . cripes you must be super woman and you just get in a pickle with money ! i take my hat off to you but seriously the money problem is where your post is directed but dont lose sight of your other needs. good luck

madmoney_2

i agree joan, you are doing a better job than what i could, i only have 1 child and find it hard working, paying bills and keeping the house tidy!
I too take my hat off to u, good luck hun and keep us posted xxxx6