Beyond help???

Cassox

Thank you.

This is really helpful.

I will start to colour my own hair and look around for the suggestion of student cuts or groupon offers.

I will take a good look at my wardrobe and start to look in charity shops for in between. I think winter is going to be when I need to make some more larger purchases. Definitely need to budget for knickers thought lol.

I am taking on board everything suggested to me. I have admitted my predicament to my cousin. She is coming round this weekend to go through everything with me.

I know I face a number of tough years ahead through my own stupidity but I will get there.... I hope

Cassox

Thanks. We are there for a check up next weekend so I will ask.

EssexHebridean

How much per month for a personal spends budget is entirely down to an individual and their situation - mine is high, but then we're debt and mortgage free (we worked to become so - it didn't all just fall into our laps!) and so although we now save a huge chunk of our monthly income, it does free up a higher proportion for "fun" stuff too.

Why not sit down and make a list of the sort of things you imagine spending this personal money on? Put the rough anticipated value next to each one and add up the total over a month. Then go back over the list crossing through anything that maybe seems "a bit much" bearing in mind your situation currently - so perhaps one coffee out a week might be reasonable, but a daily one, not so much? magazines - check whether you can read for free via the library rather than buying - same with newspapers which are often available online. Try to think in terms of "needs" and "wants" and train yourself to analyse the difference between the two. And finally, make sure you're not double-budgeting - ie telling yourself that you "need" X amount spending money per week because you might need lunch one day./ a new shower gel/ tube of toothpaste/new socks - while also budgeting for those items elsewhere.

Grumpelstiltskin

We still haven't had an explanation for the £100 pocket money, which if it is for personal spends is on top of all the other listed items coffee etc.

I don't think the OP has any idea of where all the money goes or is not telling us the full story.

They do appear to be financially clueless.

EssexHebridean

Grumpelstiltskin wrote: »

*contents of quoted post removed due to content

Unhelpful and rude.
The OP is clearly fragile and has freely admitted that they don't know where to start on financial matters and that they feel they have lost control of things - making remarks like your closing one is simply pointless. This is not about you making yourself feel better by making snipey comments, it's about trying to help the OP - if you have reached the limits of your inclination to be helpful then perhaps leaving the thread to those who are willing to assist might be your best course?

pelirocco

Cassox wrote: »

Hi

I have answered ever question put to me plus revised and given a more detailed SOA so where am I being evasive? Yes I am stupid for getting myself in debt and came on this forum for advice not put downs. I know a lot of my entriies are going to be questioned and any advice on what people spend etc themselves will be more than welcome.

I rarely ost on these threads but felt i needed to reassure you that you arent stupid ,and you have taken a big step in acknowledging that you have a problem .
the good news is you have a roof over your house and i dont think you are a million miles away from making the books balance , its not something that can be done overnight ( I'm ignoring the debts as they arent a priority )
Do you have a spare roo you could let out to a lodger?
It must be very difficult ruuning a house on just one income , especially when there isnt much spare cash for fun stuff

pelirocco

Grumpelstiltskin wrote: »

We still haven't had an explanation for the £100 pocket money, which if it is for personal spends is on top of all the other listed items coffee etc.

I don't think the OP has any idea of where all the money goes or is not telling us the full story.


They do appear to be financially clueless.

Or maybe just overwelmed

Toni'sfriend

Can I just say a few things. Firstly no one is beyond help and secondly letting your cousin know that you are in a bit of a predicament is a big step forward. A problem shared and all that. Also lots of people here who will give you really good advice and support.
Few observations of my own and no criticism intended in any way and I hope I'm nor being too personal.
You are obviously stressed/depressed because of your financial situation but I understand the need to feel better about yourself in general. You don't need a lot of expensive clothes to look good. A couple of outfits to reflect your weight loss would suffice for now? Primark or the like? If you are of mature years (like me!) or you have dark hair then cut and colour every eight weeks is not excessive. I wouldn't dare try to do my own but if it works for you so much he better. Otherwise look for somewhere cheaper or do you know someone who would do it for you? Exercise is a great way of relieving stress so don't give up the gym entirely. Does your local authority have a leisure centre that would have cheaper facilities?
I think you really could drastically cut your food bill. If you are on your own you really can eat very well very cheaply. Shop at Lidl or Aldi, if possible and batch cook and freeze portions. It will save you a fortune on ready meals and convenience food and would be so much better for your health.
I hope my tuppence worth is helpful.
.

Karonher

Food would be a quick win if you could cut back. Have you looked at online firms that sell out of date or close to date items?

CapricornLass

' I know it is supposed to be best to let your pension build up but would be best to take some now?'

NO!!!! Your pension is your future income for your old age.

There are some good ideas given here that you should try first, Cassox. RE the credit card, do you trust your cousin enough to entrust the keeping of it to them? It means that you can't use it day to day, but it will still be available for real emergencies. Or try freezing it in some ice - again, you are only going to defrost it when its a real emergency. Did your old supermarket offer loyalty points of any kind? If so, could that be used towards Christmas/birthday presents?

Do keep coming back and checking other boards, though. Clearing debts can feel like a long hard slog, and those boards will give you fresh ideas, and help keep your motivation up.

Good luck!