How can I keep myself out of debt?

Dreamyblue49

Hello I am another newbie here and would like some advice from all you lovely people. At present I am not actually in debt as such (I do have a loan) but due to the change in my circumstances I feel I could soon spiral into debt unless I act now. My change in circumstances is that my daughter has just turned 18 and has now left college and is going to start Uni next week so I now no longer receive Child Benefit or Child Tax Credits and have been told I can no longer get Working Tax Credits either because I only work between 16-29 hours per week. I am hoping my working hours can increase to over 30 hours so I will be able to get tax credits again. I am unable to to get a second job because my present one (in retail) means I often work weekends so couldn't take a weekend job and on several days of the week I am a 'keyholder' which means I have to be in the shop by 8.30 a.m. (catch bus at 7.45 to get there) and by the time I have cashed up and closed the shop I often don't get in until 6.45p.m. I have just turned 50 and by the time I get in I feel quite tired so don't fancy doing a evening job as well.

Here is my SOA (weekly)

Income

Wages £139.10 (based on doing 26 hrs which does vary week to week)

Outgoings

Rent - £47.75
Council Tax - £20.00 (though both of these are being reviewed due to change of circumstances)

Electric - £13.86 (this is high but have read other tips so hope to change)
Gas - £6.23
Water - £8.76
TV licence - £2.74
Broadband - £4.84 (I live on pc when not working so don't want to lose this)
Phone - £5.19
Insurance - £2.36
Travel by bus - £16.20
Food, toiletries and clothes £45.00 approx.
Bank loan - £10.00
Sky - £4.84 (will change this to freeview)
Lottery - £4.00 (you never know!!)

Total outgoings - £177.91

As you can see from the above this leaves me £38.81 short each week!

I can see myself there are a few options open to me for example I will probably need to change my job (which is a shame because I love the one I have and have made some good friends) though of course this will not be an instant thing because there doesn't appear to be many vacancies which are full-time and my age goes slightly against me.

So can anyone give me some advice on how to survive now before I get into (too much) debt until I can sort out my options.

Many thanks

completelyspent

Hello,

Can you get a few more hours in your current job? If it is retail I'm assuming they'll be looking for people to work more hours over the Christmas period in the next couple of months?
You haven't got any money put by for birthdays/Christmas presents. Might be worth joining a few cashback/survey sites to try and earn some vouchers to spend. I joined Pigsback at the beginning of July and have just received a £10 boots voucher which will go towards Christmas presents. Every little helps :-)

Gemmzie

You could keep Sky at the basic package (£15 a month) and get their free broadband?

Kill the lottery, or at least cut it down - £16 a month is a lot

Keep a spending diary and see exactly what you're spending on food, clothes etc bit. Try the OS (Old Style) board for tips on eating well on a budget


HTH a bit

Dreamyblue49

Hi thanks for replying so quickly. Yes I am hoping to increase my hours in the lead up to Christmas and I will have a look at site you mentioned

completelyspent

I have found loyalty cards really useful for extra bits and bobs too. Even if you don't shop in Sainsbury's it's worth signing up for a Nectar card as you can collect points at various places and pick up quite a few extra points on the Nectar site from the odd survey-all which could go towards wine, chocolates etc for pressies. Tesco Clubcard and Boots Advantage card are pretty good if you shop at either place often as well.

Bongedone

As Gemmzie says. Get the Sky Broadband.

pixiedust_2

Do you have a bus pass/weekly ticket? The bus company locally has a weekly ticket available to anyone that is £12 a week. Might be worth looking into it - it's not a huge saving, but little bits help!