in a little pickle

juliapenguin

Hello and well done for being so focused while your little treasure is still so young - my financial trouble started when I had a baby and it spiralled quickly out of control and became a habit, if you know what I mean.

Do check out the Old Style board - we (two adults plus two part time big greedy children) cut down from £400 to £130ish a month by meal planning and having a spending diary. The spending diary is a big bore for the first few days (and frightening, as you realise how much money gets frittered away on nothing) but it's strangely addictive and I love doing it now.

Lots of good luck to you!

Julia xx

katierose

Hi,Do you pay you're council tax over 10mths if so you could ask them to change it to 12mths,not a big saving but added to everything else it all mounts up.Also start a spending diary write down every spend you make even if its just a bar of chocolate,this lets you see where all you,re money is going.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Keep a spending diary as you need to know exactly what you are spending on everything.

How much of that £400 is food and how much is other things? I spend £260 per month for 5 people, so you should be able to get away with £100 per month.

Good idea to cancel the payment protection on your mobile. I'm sure you will come up with other ideas to save money, particularly if you keep a spending diary religiously.

eyespy

my council tax is over 12 months and includes council tax benefit because i rent there was a clause in my contract that says i can't change supplier of gas and electric (currently british gas) without permission so i haven't bothered. My union payments get refunded when I go back to work. I will have trip to old style board though