Moving to a new flat, how can I save/cut back??

FairyPrincessk

Sorry B17C--how annoying (although in my experience a Landlord who lives abroad and can't be bothered to respond in this scenario won't be great on maintenance!)

Lynplatinum

Ahhh what a shame :-(

If you dont know then ask why you were rejected and see if there is anything you can do about the WHY so you are not disappointed next time.

But for when you do move:

Electric seemed high - also water bills - suggestions above as to what to do seem sound to me.

What is the misc @ £50?? Go and look on Martin's demotivator! I was addicted to C!sta coffee and a cake - oh I said to myself - its only twice a week - between clients in a place away from home - then I did the demotivator!! £10 per week x 52 weeks of the year = (drum roll) £520! the price of a holiday - 1/4 of my credit card problems solved etc etc!!

I still have a C!sta occasionally but it is now in its rightful place - a real treat!! I have an 'entertainment' budget of £10 per week and when its gone - its gone!! If I blow it on coffee or a meal @ Spoons or several beers then that guilt free money was spent in my way!
(I have also developed a number of free things to do!!)

Good luck with finding a place

PasturesNew

What is waxing?

I've spent my life never having it, not knowing what it is .....£50??? Every month?

Is a 1-bed necessary? I've usually opted for studios as they're cheaper to rent but you're still not sharing.

Re rejection, it might be that the agents/LL apply the 40% rule. Under that you need to be earning (rounded for ease) 30x the monthly rent for them to think you can afford it.

e.g. £600/month rent = £18k salary required

Your £900/month rent = £27k salary required

You seem to be on about £23k, so 1/30th of that would be rents of about £770/month.

B17c

Thanks Lyn... I was refused because I had a guarantor, the landlord only wanted people who met the £26Kpa salery requirements... I'm not on £26K x

B17c

Hi PN, waxing lasts longer than shaving and it feels 'cleaner'.. In my opinion anyway. I wanted a 1 bed so I could have a bit of space, I don't like the idea of having people round and them being in my bedroom at the same time, the idea freaks me out a bit! Just have to see what happens. I feel very despondent

PasturesNew

B17c wrote: »

Hi PN, waxing lasts longer than shaving and it feels 'cleaner'.. In my opinion anyway. I wanted a 1 bed so I could have a bit of space, I don't like the idea of having people round and them being in my bedroom at the same time, the idea freaks me out a bit! Just have to see what happens. I feel very despondent

Don't have people round. Go to theirs
Saves on the heating/cleaning/coffee bills too.

lessonlearned

Sorry to hear you were turned down for the flat, hopefully you will find something soon.

I think some of your costings were a bit high, , leccy and water rates might actually come in a bit lower for one person than your estimates, especially if you have a water meter.

I agree your estimated food budget seems a bit on the low side, at least if you want to eat a healthy diet. Yes you could fill up with cheap carbs but ideally you ought to eat some good protein and plenty of fruit and veg.

Your discretionary income is not too bad but you can make some serious savings here, even if it was just short term until you get your debts sorted out.

£50 for waxing is a bit of a luxury. I don't like shaving, hate the stubble effect. You can buy wax and strips and diy for a fraction of that. If you struggle then Creams work well and I often see them in the £ shops. You could just keep the waxing for the Intimate areas and use creams on your legs, underarms.

Do you really need to have your eyebrows threaded every month. Can you not just tidy them up with tweezers and have then threaded every 2 or 3 months.

£18 contact lenses. Wear them less often, and wear your glasses more.

£50 on Misc. what does that actually cover.

£35 for mobile - are you locked in to a contract, would a pay as you go work for you.

I think that until you oay off your debts then it will be very tight but it is doable if you can be thrifty. You do actually have quite a bit of wriggle room on your discretionary spending.

Ideally you need to try and find somewhere a bit cheaper to rent, at least until you are debt free. You could always upgrade later.

Kirri

Get a home wax pot and the other bits and DIY, just copy what the person doing you usually does, after a few times I mastered it and it's really quite easy - even for the more difficult parts Although for the more difficult angles and underarm it's easier with cold wax strips just so you don't drip the wax if in a strange position, but the rest I use creme wax heated up. It works out SO cheap too, can wax for a year for less than I paid for one appt in the past and I can do a better result than the more rushed salon appts I used to pay for.

purpleivy

Kirri wrote: »

Get a home wax pot and the other bits and DIY, just copy what the person doing you usually does, after a few times I mastered it and it's really quite easy - even for the more difficult parts Although for the more difficult angles and underarm it's easier with cold wax strips just so you don't drip the wax if in a strange position, but the rest I use creme wax heated up. It works out SO cheap too, can wax for a year for less than I paid for one appt in the past and I can do a better result than the more rushed salon appts I used to pay for.

I had a nasty accident when my wax pot went over! I bought myself a cassette system so there was no chance of that mess happening again. They aren't as cheap to buy or use as a pot, but still a lot cheaper than getting it done. You would probably want to get bikini line done by someone else. It's easier to do than a pot as well.

theoretica

Waxing - have a look also at sugaring, sugar is cheap and the mix is easy to make in the microwave.

Coffee - a small outlay on a thermos might pay itself back.