help

debt247

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Pretty much what everyone else has said about the phones - if you're paying for others to have them as well then they need to start paying for them, end of. Ditto the insurance thing - if it's not essential to life, ditch it.

Your travel is currently costing you in excess of £3k a year - which is making a major hole in your budget. Your car alone is costing over £200 per month to run - and in fact probably more than that as the person who said £10 a month isn't covering its running costs was very right about that. - you're doing a good few miles each month to run through £100 in fuel and on that mileage you're likely to need at least a couple of new tyres annually as well as other routine maintenance. If it were me, I'd work out whether my money was better spent on public transport - selling that car will give you enough if you're accurate on its value to pay off that smaller loan, too...

Food - halve that spend. Take out cash and spend that in Lidl/Aldi or on mainstream supermarket budget ranges. Meal plan - the Old Style board is a fab resource - go over there and ask them for help and I guarantee they'll take you under their wing. If at the end of the month you have money left from your £100 food budget then you have a choice - a cheeky takeaway (which is fine as you'd have budgeted for it) or you might decide to transfer it over to pay off some of your debt.

Clothes - get EVERYTHING you own out of the cupboards, wardrobes etc and lay them out on your bed - now, still feel you need new clothes? Thought not. If there is anything there you definitely won't wear again, or that doesn't fit by a long way, get rid to the charity shop - this will help reduce the feeling of you having "lots of clothes but nothing to wear".

Haircuts - You said it yourself, you're a chap, chaps do NOT spend that amount on their hair. Next time you go, leave it an extra week for a start before going to the barbers, then ask for a lower maintenance style "as a change" - the barber doesn't need to know why you're asking.

Thanks so much, the other insurance is proffesional memberships and liability insurance that I have to pay for to work. Same for the car due to working some nights and different locations will need a car to get a round. Im starting a part time delivery job on Friday and will see how it goes.

Alice_Walker

What is the loan secured on? I can't see an asset that it could be secured against.

debt247

Alice_Walker wrote: »

What is the loan secured on? I can't see an asset that it could be secured against.

That's right, The loan is not secured against any assets. It was called proffesional trainee loan or something like that with NatWest

EssexHebridean

Are you self-employed? If so remember you can claim back professional fees etc to reduce your tax liability. If you're employed, surely your employer should be paying for your liability insurance at least? Similarly - remember to note all your car mileage and either claim it as expenses against tax or at the current HMRC approved rate from your employer. I think it was 45p a mile last time I looked so with a lot of miles this really mounts up.

theoretica

If you are sure the other phones are not being used I suggest you ring up and see what they can offer you -no harm asking.

EssexHebridean

falcieri wrote: »

I am really confused about your £200 mobile bill and £200 groceries bill. I pay £16.19 a month for an EE contract (I havefree calls and texts and 2GB internet) but I wasn't daft enough to get a contract phone. BUY the phone, then just get the package for the calls etc. Why do you have 4 contracts?

Why are you spending £200 a month on groceries??? You are a single person. Do you only shop at Fortnum and Mason??? I am a single person. I spend £50 a month on my supermarket shop. If you really want to get out of debt you have to look at your basics and tighten your belt.

Read the full thread before responding, the answer to the phone question has already been given.

Perhaps dial the sarcasm down a notch, too. Remember the OP is on here because they want help, not ridicule. I'd question whether your £50 a month food budget is enough for one person to eat a healthy, balanced diet, to be honest...also I think GiffGaff do a cheaper PAYG deal for mobile - might be worth a look for you?

sourcrates

I am a divorced single dad and I spend £50 -£100 a week on food and meals at work, £50 a month is not very much ?