OK here goes

duchy

How about a second job.....working in a pub for example. An added advantage is it can be a replacement for socializsing and keep those costs down too.

lynzpower

could you use the van to your advantage and offer stuff like "light removals" or picking things up off ebay for people etc?

Idiophreak

What's your credit rating like? Any reason you can't balance transfer the a&l to 0% (or lower lifetime rate?)

A year at 0% on that could make your life a lot easier (then you could worry about it once the A&L loan's finished...)

Also agree with the others about talking to your parents...£250 seems on the high side for people I know (myself included) living with their folks...even £50 off for a while would give yourself some breathing space.

And, as always, keep a spending diary and work out where the left over cash ends up...

rotti163

Idiophreak wrote: »

What's your credit rating like? Any reason you can't balance transfer the a&l to 0% (or lower lifetime rate?)

A year at 0% on that could make your life a lot easier (then you could worry about it once the A&L loan's finished...)

I've tried this but I never get offered the full amount, just say 2,000, so I've given up on that. Might put an ad in the shop window for the light removals idea, got nothing to lose, apart from 25p and I think I can stretch to that.;)

CharliesAngel

What does the other £64 of your income go on? Have you started a spending diary?

rotti163

CharliesAngel wrote: »

What does the other £64 of your income go on? Have you started a spending diary?

Just trying to have a life really, me and my g/f going out once a week, spending no more than 10 pounds or on a bottle of wine and a dvd. I'm starting a spending diary today. 1st thing on there, 35p for a local paper to look for a part time job.:T:T

Dr_Hook

You could save your 35p and go to https://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk - there's loads of bar work etc on there. Or have a look to see if your local paper has a website as they often list job vacancies online too.

lynzpower

dont foeget use jobcentreplus.gov.uk Ive found, loads of part timing in that!

Also, for DVDS, you can get them free by "tarting" in fact youll get paid for it too :j

step 1- join www.quidco.com
step 2 -search for lovefilm/ blockbuster etc - click through
step 3 - sign up for a free trial
step 4 - WRITE ON CALENDAR when you need to cancel it
step 5 order films
step 6 cancel - making sure youve sent them all back.
step 7- try another provider and do the same all over again
step 8 wait for quidco to pay out into your bank account- you get about 12.50 for taking on a free trial. :money:
step 9- when quidco pays out pay that money off a debt
step 10 -when you have run out of free trails to do, get the GF to sign up. Me & my OH got a whole year out of these deals

On the wine front- check about theres a threashers deal on now and then thats a print off voucher, for 20% off IIRC, failing that, tescos soave at 2.52 a bottle is bargainous

there you go, Ive saved you 7.50 a week, or 390 a year! :beer:

Jacks_xxx

I know it's all really exhausting and frustrating cherub, but I think you're going to have to box clever to reduce those debts. Having a bit of a life might have to be put off another 8 months or so. (sorry.)

We're in the same boat - only with bigger numbers! :rolleyes:

The first thing we did was switch as much as possible over to 0% balance transfer cards.

We were struggling to make the minimum payments and since we did this we've been making major inroads into the actual debt itself.

It's pain in the !!!! to do it, and we ended up with odds and ends left on the loans where the balance transfer / card limit amounts didn't quite match up but we mopped those up the next month.

In your position I'd ask for parental help as well. You'll have to put up with some nagging and interference but it'll be worth it. The sooner you're debt free the sooner you can be out of there man!

Ask them for an interest free loan or to cut down your "keep" - or both.

And join up at http://www.retaileyes.co.uk/uk/home/retaileyes_aboutus.php and take your girlfriend out for free!

There's more about Mystery Shopping at the top of this board.

Other than that an extra job would help if you can manage it.

That's all I've got sweetie!

Love Jacks xxx

rotti163

Thanx Jacks and everyone else for your advice so far. I now feel like I can get this weight from round my neck.