I want to stop drowning

Moneyfordreams

Wishing you the best of luck and strength.

When we were skint and living off my wage, my lidl shop was £35 -£40 per week... we had 2 teenage girls with my husband and I. Even now it's usually around £50 for 3 of us (adults) including wine and cider (all own brands) choc biscuit for dessert or yoghurt. We bring our own lunches and leftovers. It becomes a lifestyle. We do have toilet paper issues too my DD is an nightmare... a roll a day sometimes...

Hope your house move goes smoothly for you.. having just lived it, it wasn't as bad on reflection

debtaghh

Morning,

I'm going to try cashing money out for food that way I can see how quick it goes. I have allocated £320 this month. For us to cope with our increased outgoings we need to stick to a tight budget. My family member is helping us out for equivalent to one year and then we are on our own. We have to use this next year to be very careful and try and clear as much debt as possible. If we don't then we will have a ridiculous shortfall from this time next year.

Dh and I were discussing last night about wanting to buy a house, this won't happen with our debt for a long time but we need to focus on that. Me earning a set salary has made me really think about when I spend how long I've had to work to pay for x, y and z. The thought of doing the balance transfer and having to work one month to clear the fee really shocked me. I'm hoping this is another mini LBM!

debtaghh

Hi,

Can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted. It's so busy at the minute.

I've been doing a lot better with my food budget so far but that's probably partly due to the fact that we are trying to eat all the food from the freezer as I don't want to have to bring it to the new house.
Wish I could pay more off the credit cards but I know I need to save for other things first.

enthusiasticsaver

Good that the food budget is going ok. Hope the move goes well.

debtaghh

Morning,

I'm shattered! Between this heat, moving and the new job I have no energy left! We have had to buy furniture for the house so have spent quite a lot lately. This isn't good and what is frustrating about moving. Each time you move there is the hassle plus the additional cost. Every house is different , our previous house had fitted wardrobes in every room, fitted unit in the lounge. I'm sorry to say but the debt will have increased. It's not what I wanted but we needed wardrobes and other bits. We bought them all from a budget shop and got some bits second hand. I know that we are in a vicious cycle. I just live in hope that my dh will get good overtime and I will carry on trying to sell bits on eBay as well as carrying on reducing the food.

enthusiasticsaver

I was thinking of you at having to move in this heat. Moving is expensive. Have you tried freecycle for things you need? Keep on watching the grocery and other spends. Hope you are getting on ok with new job.

debtaghh

Thanks. I'm impressing myself with my grocery spends. The not topping up is certainly doing the trick. I've been making a point of buying enough milk in my main shop as that was what we were always short on.

enthusiasticsaver

That is great at having found something that works in keeping the grocery spends down. I don't do top ups either but my husband is always popping to the shops. I make a point now of telling him every month how much we are spending on food hoping to make him think twice but it hasn't worked yet.

debtaghh

Hi,

I honestly can't explain how tired I feel right now. My neck and back have been really playing up. I just feel so drained and like I have no energy. Like I mentioned last time our debt has gone up which is severely depressing. With all the extra fees, redirection of post , van hire, second car, furniture, car issues we have been drained. We literally are back to October with debt which is completely demoralising. I'm still trying to stick to food budgets and watch my spends. Was in the mood for a takeaway tonight but I resisted. Have cancelled some plans to meet people to save money.

System

Hi Debtagh,

First off hope you are all settling into your new home, moving is an expensive business I agree. Not sure if you got a long tenancy , weren't you trying for 2 year minimum . I think it will be a while before you can do a budget that is correct as utilities are all unknown in a new house for a while.

Don't despair, just pay minimums for the moment, save what you can and reevaluate when you are in a better place , mentally and physically.

Have a good weekend.