Number of different debts that i need help with

poppasmurf_bewdley

mowen81 wrote: »

Haven't been very good with groceries recently, always having takeaways:mad: etc, however this week have got a lot better. Next week when i get paid i am going to do a fairly big online shop with Tesco :mad::mad::mad: but then will do weekly shops at Aldi as have one just round the corner.

Why on earth do you need to do a big shop at Tesco? Get everything you need at Aldi or Lidl.

Takeaways are just throwing money away. A meal that costs about a tenner can be made at home for a pound or so.

You should be able to reduce your monthly grocery bill by at least £100, or even £125 with care, very easily.

mowen81

The main reason is because i live in a first floor flat and it's a night mare carrying the bags up the stairs, am very short on basics so i was think to do that and then do all the shops after that at Aldi. Yes, i am very lazy but i am trying to cut takeaways out as i completely agree.

I will definitely look at cutting it down though.

andyfromotley

mowen81 wrote: »

The main reason is because i live in a first floor flat and it's a night mare carrying the bags up the stairs, am very short on basics so i was think to do that and then do all the shops after that at Aldi. Yes, i am very lazy but i am trying to cut takeaways out as i completely agree.

I will definitely look at cutting it down though.

Seriously? You have debt coming out of your ears, are behind on your mortgage, have bailiffs turning up at your house, but carrying shopping up a flight of stairs is too much for you..........

mowen81

That's not a very helpful comment to be honest, but you don't know my situation, i would really really struggle carrying that amount of shopping up the stairs. But, i might go to Aldi, my Wife said she is willing to help, even though she has her own reasons for struggling with that sort of thing.

the_long_and_winding_road

It looks like you have quite a bit of slack in your SOA to make some savings so with some action in areas and thoughtful planning with food shopping I reckon you can get in control of this pronto. It's good that you're setting aside this weekend to look into your situation more closely. You will feel more in control for doing so. There's nothing worse than burying your head in the sand and the worry/stress that brings. Get cracking this weekend, it won't be long before you have spread sheets for everything and then you'll know you're hooked.
Once you have your plan then check out the 'Snowball Calculator' (don't know how to post link, sorry). Most importantly - your priority outgoings come first - mortgage; council tax; utilities; food etc.
Keep coming back for help and motivation!
That's why we're all here!!

crazy_cat_lady

Some of the advice on here can be a bit blunt, but it is all said with the best of intent. Andy gives some of the best advice I have ever read on here. In our own lives it's sometimes difficult to see things objectively and the honest opinions can hurt and feel critical but we aren't a board full of trolls.
You have to prioritise the mortgage and council tax - everything else will have to wait.
Is it worth having a clear out and seeing if there's anything that you can sell?

fatbelly

mowen81 wrote: »

Thank you, so, the ones i should concentrate on should be mortgage and council tax? As far as i know all the others are unsecured.

Yes, these are priority debts.

You pay the mortgage because otherwise you will lose your home, and we assume you are not wanting to do that. On your soa it says you are paying 488 per month on a 6832 mortgage, which seems wrong. There's also no home value so we can't see if you have equity in the flat.

The council tax is a priority because of the threat of imprisonment. In practice that doesn't happen unless they can show 'wilful neglect' or 'culpable negligence'. But the hassle you get from bailiffs on council tax debts is enough to make this a priority.

GwylimT

Food, thats a crazy amount! There are four of us and we spend less, yet mainly buy from butchers, greengroces and fishmongers.

Highlight any dietary issues and I can send a fortnightly meal plan with prices to show what you could easily achieve.

When your phone is up you can get sim only deals from around £6.

Entertainment? What are you doing, lots of cinema and eating out? We spend around £12 a month.

When the TV etc is cancelled, are you setting that amount up as a DD towards debts.

How much student finance does your partner get, that should be included in household income if it isn't already.

northerner999

mowen81 wrote: »

That's not a very helpful comment to be honest, but you don't know my situation, i would really really struggle carrying that amount of shopping up the stairs. But, i might go to Aldi, my Wife said she is willing to help, even though she has her own reasons for struggling with that sort of thing.

presumably you go in and out of your flat every time you go to work? Perhaps try to do a carrier bag's worth of shopping at Aldi on the way home, as one bag each time won't be too difficult. If you get your head around it then you may only need to top up anyway.

I don't think an online shop is such a bad idea, a lot of people say it helps them stick to a budget. And if you have any health issues getting up to your flat. I live in a second floor flat and understand it's a pain carrying stuff up, but I am lucky enough to have my health and am prepared to traipse up and down a couple of times if need be.

I think you realise yourself that takeaways are draining your budget and a bit of thought into meal planning could really help. If you ar e really too lazy to prepare meals and freeze things, even buying things that go in the microwave would be far cheaper than takeaways and not particularly unhealthier!

dancingfairy

First priorities are mortgage and council tax. You need to find out how much mortgage payments are supposed to be and how much the arrears are so you can make a plan to pay them off.
I'd definitely give someone like stepchange or national debtline a call and chat things through with them. As someonelse has said its crazy putting your home at risk to pay sunny loans etc.
You can definitely get on top of this.
Good luck
Df