Hi I'm new here :wave:

firesidemaid

as your spend more time on this site/forum, you will learn more and gradually change things and alter your mindset.


You have already realised that your mobile contracts are way too high - try phoning & asking to reduce them - you should also be able to spend much less on phone/bband/tv.


We currently pay £39 a month for phone/bband & full tv with SKY. NOW TV is really good - the only reason we have gone with SKY again is for the sport, but we will review again at contract end. You can get a NOW box + 3 month subscription for £15ish,then £9.99 a month including movies, boxsets, some sky channels, catch-up etc.


Do you NEED 2 cars if you work from home? Think how much you could save?


Presents, xmas bdays etc - buy through the year looking out for offers & discounts etc. Buy Argos & other vouchers from Tesco - for every £50 spent you get 150 points, so £6 in x4 deals. These add up.


Go through Quidco etc for everything you can and mealplan including using up what you have had in the freezer/cupboard for ages. It really does save LOADS of money.


Good luck x

ViolaLass

If you find you're cooking too much, could one of you take it into work the next day for lunch?

Also, my mother used to make Saturday lunch a 'leftovers' meal where we cobbled together whatever was in the fridge and needed using up. That's not so relevant if you find you're using every scrap of food but it could help.

You seem to be having meat every night. How about a couple of vegetarian nights?

triple_choc_chip

thriftyandfabulous wrote: »

Hi, sorry should have been more clear - the MM figure includes the interest, I think the amount borrowed was around 1,500. The other debts don't include interest though, this is the only one. Thanks

Oh that makes a world of difference! I can see now how you can beat this by 2017 it's definitely doable. Just jeep chucking any extra at whichever debt has the highest interest rate.

Good luck, I"ll be cheering you from the sidelines

thriftyandfabulous

Thanks for all of the lovely advice and support on here, it really helps. To be honest, it helps writing everything down and planning here because otherwise I just don't think I'd do it, so even without the support its worth doing. But the support is lovely .

We do need 2 cars unfortunately because oh needs one for work and, although I don't need one for work, we have 5 little people to take to school, hospital appointments, etc so it just wouldn't be possible without the people carrier too.

Okay today's spending diary:

Bowling for ds2's birthday - £24.99
(Really c&@p) food at bowling - £22.99 (shouldn't have bothered)
(yet another) top up shop for things I forgot in the main shop - 18.50
Main weekly shop - £91.32

I'm embarrassed to write down how much I spend but I think seeing it on paper will encourage me not to. And I'm thinking this will give me a better idea of where my money goes so I can sort it for the new year. I'm considering taking the budget money out in cash rather than always using my card. Any thoughts on this?

thriftyandfabulous

Thanks triplechocchip:)

lambda

thriftyandfabulous wrote: »

Thanks for all of the lovely advice and support on here, it really helps. To be honest, it helps writing everything down and planning here because otherwise I just don't think I'd do it, so even without the support its worth doing. But the support is lovely .

We do need 2 cars unfortunately because oh needs one for work and, although I don't need one for work, we have 5 little people to take to school, hospital appointments, etc so it just wouldn't be possible without the people carrier too.

Okay today's spending diary:

Bowling for ds2's birthday - £24.99
(Really c&@p) food at bowling - £22.99 (shouldn't have bothered)
(yet another) top up shop for things I forgot in the main shop - 18.50
Main weekly shop - £91.32

I'm embarrassed to write down how much I spend but I think seeing it on paper will encourage me not to. And I'm thinking this will give me a better idea of where my money goes so I can sort it for the new year. I'm considering taking the budget money out in cash rather than always using my card. Any thoughts on this?

Don't be embarrassed, we are here to help

You can try cash if it makes it easier for you. Ultimately though, I think it's about changing your perception of money. Rather than thinking, "I have a pile of cash to spend", or, "I have X amount in my bank to spend," you should be thinking, "I have X to spend on groceries, I have Y to spend on fuel, I have Z to spend on the Rent, etc". Then, the accounts and purses you have are just locations for the money you spend in your budget. Take a look at YNAB (You Need a Budget). It revolutionised the way I think about money.

wifey27

Good luck thriftyandfabulous! I find motivation comes a lot easier when you take each day as it comes. Before you know it, you will be well into your debt free journey.

Wifey27

shaundiamonds

I think you should attempt to do that right now by cost cutting rather than wait! You will be surprised how quickly your debs will go down.

firesidemaid

you've already realised yourself that whilst spending £25 on the value for money bowling was enjoyable, the same amount on food was not!


So, next time, eat before you go or when you get home - plan some fun but cheap & easy food


I love eating out, but like to get the best quality/value when I do!

sanfrancisco

You seem like you have had your light bulb moment. Well done. That feeling of disgust is a good feeling use it to motivate you.

I can't recommend a spending diary enough. You have to think about every single penny.

If I were you I would have a big push in the next three months and do everything you can to get rid of your lowest four debts. Close these accounts. You will feel loads better having less accounts to deal with. Do everything you can. Babysit for friends, odd jobs, get kids cleaning cars, sell stuff on eBay. Go for it. Come March you will be feeling positive.

Remember every single penny matters. Xx