Looking for advice (& a lottery win?..)

Pixie5740

http://debtcamel.co.uk/debt-options/guide-to-snowballing/

DashDotCom

ReadingTim wrote: »

Ditch the sky tv, mobile phone contract and mobile insurance for freeview, PAYG and not dropping your phone down the loo and you'll find another £85 per month - especially as you don't seem to spend anything on clothes, haircuts, entertainment etc,

But the main problem is the car - it's costing almost £400 per month for its HP, and to tax, insure, run and park it. That's a quarter of your monthly take home pay. You can't afford this.

You need to find something that's cheaper to buy and insure, and find somewhere else to park! Alternatively, investigate public transport.

Finally, the other side of the getting out of debt equation when you can't reduce the amount going out, is to increase the amount coming in, by getting a 2nd job, or finding a better paid first job.

My Mobile phone payments will be going down to £13.00 a month as of June 2017 - I currently run two contracts as I was mugged at the beginning of this year so was left without a phone (didn't have insurance at the time). So I think that covers that part.

You're right with the car though - it is a sore spot at the moment. I have to park the car close to my office as I run home to the new puppy at lunch times to make sure she's ok and not died. Once shes old enough and I don't feel the need to make sure shes breathing every four hours I will find some off road parking and free up all of my parking money.

I had thought about dropping the sky - especially since my friends are using Firesticks or something? Does anyone have any good alternatives? Would still need to pay for my internet etc though.

Pixie5740

What are you going to do with the dog during the day whilst you're at work? Will your partner be picking up most of the dog related expenses since you've only budgeted £15 a month?

ReadingTim

DashDotCom wrote: »

You're right with the car though - it is a sore spot at the moment. I have to park the car close to my office as I run home to the new puppy at lunch times to make sure she's ok and not died. Once shes old enough and I don't feel the need to make sure shes breathing every four hours I will find some off road parking and free up all of my parking money.

No, you don't have to check on your dog every few hours - you can't afford it. It's an animal - they don't just 'stop breathing'. What it is doing, is preventing you from getting married or starting saving for a deposit on a house.

DashDotCom wrote: »

I had thought about dropping the sky - especially since my friends are using Firesticks or something? Does anyone have any good alternatives? Would still need to pay for my internet etc though.

The alternative is called freeview, and costs nothing. Nor does it require internet.

DashDotCom

ReadingTim wrote: »

Ditch the sky tv, mobile phone contract and mobile insurance for freeview, PAYG and not dropping your phone down the loo and you'll find another £85 per month - especially as you don't seem to spend anything on clothes, haircuts, entertainment etc,

But the main problem is the car - it's costing almost £400 per month for its HP, and to tax, insure, run and park it. That's a quarter of your monthly take home pay. You can't afford this.

You need to find something that's cheaper to buy and insure, and find somewhere else to park! Alternatively, investigate public transport.

Finally, the other side of the getting out of debt equation when you can't reduce the amount going out, is to increase the amount coming in, by getting a 2nd job, or finding a better paid first job.

Pixie5740 wrote: »

What are you going to do with the dog during the day whilst you're at work? Will your partner be picking up most of the dog related expenses since you've only budgeted £15 a month?

During the day she will have to be alone until we get home - On the odd days she will get walked by a friend who lives nearby and works weird shifts so has volunteered herself to help.

The £15.00 for dog actually only relates to her insurance - I hadn't even taken into consideration what we actually spend on her a month (the next 3 months dog biscuits are already purchased though)

I'm already really happy I've posted this thread. The questions are really making me think about my current budget (or lack of..). And tells me how much I need to organize myself before maybe considering something as damaging as a DMP or IVA?

DashDotCom

ReadingTim wrote: »

It's an animal - they don't just 'stop breathing'. What it is doing, is preventing you from getting married or starting saving for a deposit on a house.

Thank you.

This is what I need. Someone to put things into perspective just like this.

thegreenone

Every time I read an SOA from someone in debt who needs help, my heart sinks when I read pet expenses. Why? Why? Why buy a pet when you're in debt, struggling to pay bills and out at work all day? Okay, breathe.


How are old are you, please? Your car insurance is very high. My 23 y/o son in his 1.6l Golf pays £500 a year. What are you driving?


I would discount your pay rise and use that entirely to pay off your debts. Set up a payment plan with the Housing Dept asap. Send them your SOA and suggest, say, £50 per month. Others here will be able to advise.


I'm sorry to be harsh. I have my Mum-head on - it's exactly what I would say to either of my sons.

Pixie5740

So how many hours a day is this dog going to be alone?

Dobbibill

After a look over your SOA, here's my thoughts for you....

Mobile phone is expensive (I'm aware you are paying for 2nd handset) it's still expensive though. Ring them, ask them to reduce the cost......it doesn't hurt to ask even when you are still in contract.

Ditch satellite TV and opt for either Freeview. as suggested or Freesat.

Your car insurance is very expensive too, what are you driving?
You have nothing in the Car Maintenance section, even if the car is too new to need an MOT, you will still need tyres, brake pads etc you should have something here. If you keep the car when the insurance is due, use sites like TCB or Qu1dco to get cashback.
I do agree with PPs though, this is costing you a lot each month. How many payments have you got left on the HP?

Is the £15 pet costs just for the insurance? You need to consider what you will do if the puppy needs a visit to the vets for anything not covered by the insurance.

According to the SOA, you also never buy clothes, visit the dentist, buy a present for a birthday or Christmas, have your haircut, never spend money on entertainment (not even a takeaway or chippie supper) and with nothing in an emergency fund, you don't have a contingency for any kitchen appliance breaking. Is this really the case?

You could cut your grocery bill a little more by batch cooking/preparing/freezing meals/making packed lunches and/or changing your supermarket.

Your debt is not huge, with a little bit of hard work and alot of self discipline you could turn this around without an IVA or DMP.......but you will need to work at it. You didn't acquire this debt overnight and you won't fix it overnight, but it is do-able

another_casualty

Pixie5740 wrote: »

So how many hours a day is this dog going to be alone?

My thoughts entirely ! Dog comes first imho!
Cats can be left alone for certain periods of the day, but dogs need to be walked at least 3/4,times a day . Have you parents/ family that could look after it during the day ??

The only other thing I can suggest , is put away the extra money you are getting from your job and make that work for you in other ways.