Scary credit card bill - starting again!

icontinuetodream

Hi everyone! 🙋

I have been around this site for a number of years now and can't imagine where I would be now had I not been fortunate enough to find it! However, like many a serial offenders, I have launched myself miles away from the wagon over the last year and really need to get back on it 😉

I have huge debts, most of which are now very old, charge no interest and have repayment plans which are very manageable - I'm not really too fussed about those at the moment; however, I also have a £1500 cc bill, my boiler is on its way out, my home needs quite a bit of work doing and I have totally lost control of my finances!!! :eek:

I have to do better and there is no time like the present!

Today, I have sat down and re-written my budget. One of my main issues is actually sticking to the budget - no point in it looking all pretty if I never use it!

My household consists of three adults and two dogs - however, I also have one at uni who comes home for the holidays and one who has just moved into their first house and I sometimes feed
For the purposes of my budget, I am only counting the regulars though!

I am allocating £69 per week for groceries - £10 on the 3 for £10 meat offer from the supermarket, £10 for dairy, £10 for cleaning & toiletries, £15 for fruit,veg & tins, £20 dog food and £4 for bulk purchases when things are on offer.

Dog food costs around £20 per week at the moment - both of my dogs have terminal cancer and eat mainly chicken and fish. I know it's expensive but I don't care - whatever makes them happy is okay by me! 😉

Obviously, my allocation of cash will change when the time comes, I will also be cancelling the dog insurance as soon as they have settled the last bill (hopefully in the next couple of weeks). When the insurance is cancelled I will have an additional £35 per month to pay off the credit card

The other thing is that I don't currently work - my dh funds the entire household at the moment so there is no additional cash spare - this has to be done by reducing my current costs

Wish me luck!

icontinuetodream

Good news today - tax rebate! :j that will help enormously with the credit card

I have decided on the holiday menu , so will get all the shopping in this week and will stick to the £100 budget I have set myself- I have two main meals to cook -four eating Saturday evening and six on solstice itself! I have already got a lot of what I need, just the gammon joint, veg, chocs & alcohol to get. I no longer drink and dh isn't bothered as he will inevitably get a bottle of whisky from one of the kids, so just a few bottles for the babies Any leftover cash can be used for post festivity food bargains:D

I may well know by the end of this week what I can get paid off the cc on top of the refund - I am reasonably confident that I may be able to squeeze £50 extra if I try hard - onwards and upwards