New debt-free wannabe

curlywurlygirly

Had enough of this hanging over my head - so am having what I believe you chaps and chapesses call a lightbulb moment.

Am currently £32,344.44 in debt, and an just starting the process of trying to pare it down - the first step being actually totting up how far in debt I am.

Have done a buget plan - and am a very frugal shopper, so hoping this is the starting point I need.

Vicky XXX:j :j :j

lindsaygalaxy

Hello and well done for your lightbulb moment.

All the best, eveyone on here is very supportive and i you need any help, just shout and everyone will!

poptart1_2

well done you for coming on here and seeing the light!!! good luck in being debt free, i have only just started myself , its tough but will be worth it in the long run.let us know how you are getting on.

hypno06

Hi there and welcome!! Love the user name by the way

Crown

Hi Welcome aboard!

If you have done your SOA then please share it us as we may be able to advise were you could make further savings and tips on debt reduction.

Depending on your earnings it could be a long road ahead but it will be worth it and however hard it may get at times you need to remember that. We are all in the same boat or have been and will other support if needed.

Wish you the best of luck

Natlou_2

Hi CurlyWurly

I'm the same as you, new to this site and owe roughly the same as you, I don't know about you but I am finding a strange sense of excitement about tackling this thing head on, and Im already addicted to this site.

So good luck and hope we can help each other along the way!

Natalie

curlywurlygirly

Thanks for all the responses. To be honest since a friend put me onto this site I have been an avid 'lurker' ever since - and have already taken many steps to lower my outgoings. Here's my SOA - if there's anything needs adding, please let me know....

Monthly Incomings:

My salary - £1,275
Benefits - £733.22


Total - £2,008.72

Monthly Outgoings:

Mortgage/Rent - £460
Home insurance - £17.35
Council Tax - £118.17
Gas - £21
Electric - £63
TV License - £10.99
Sky £45.99
Phone - £40
Mobile - £20
Food - £300
Water - £9.06, 17.30


Car Insurance - £20.06, 27.02
Petrol - £100
Life Insurance £15.80
Car Tax:£30

Old debt:£20
Loans:137.63, 356.92

Total: £1,820.29

Debts:
Loans:
£20,344.44
£12,000

Total:£32,344.44

hypno06

How many people are you including in your totals?

liz105

do you need sky?

electric seems high

does phone include broadband/internet?

How many people are you feeding?

nothing for birthdays xmas haircuts clothes etc

debtfreewannabee_3

i see that you have two waters, are they two different companies ??

Fritha_2

Hello Curlywurly ;-)

Glad to see you've got here in one piece, thought I'd say hello!

The best thing to do is to try and get your outgoings as low as we can. I know you've done some sterling work already so we're off to a flying start!

You've got a couple of choices re: sky. The best thing to do would be to say goodbye to it and go into freeview, that will free up nearly £50 a month! If you think that the hassle of trying to tear the sprogs away would be more than it was worth then trying ringing them to tell them you're thinking of leaving they will almost always try to change your mind by offering you a cheaper rate (and in the unlikely scenario they don't you can always say you'll have a think about it).

Your electricity bill is quite high, do you turn everything off standby and off at the plug? Do you have energy saving lightbulbs (they're great!)?

Essentially you're doing really well so far and you're in a great place so keep up the good work :-)