I think i need a diary

NeverendingDMP

Thankyou jwil.

Nothings ever simple. The revised bill covers my electric from when i signed up to now but still lists the economy rate not the single tariff charge they said i am meant to be on. Ive been in contact to query it so The bill is being recalled and reissued with the correct charge. What a palaver. What about people who cant read, dont understand, darent open letters. Im confused and its my bill.
My new bill should be viewable online in 48 hours. Watch this space folks....

NeverendingDMP

Gas and electric bills ongoing. Not yet heard from ombudsman and dh has spent up apparently with 16 days till payday. I havent asked any further but we did have a row about littles going to school thing this week at a cost of 3 pounds each. They can go i have the money set aside. He spends all his spare cash on beer....
My finances are v tight due to increased d debit for gas and electric so have a 10 hr shift this weekend to pay the difference and top up my account. Its somewhere new so i hope its okay.

NeverendingDMP

My dmp payments are up for review in sept but childcare goes up in sept to so im considering completing it a month early to get ahead.
2 adults 3 kids 2 cars.
Do you think the following amounts are reasonable to put on my income and expenditure forms. Ie wont get rejected. All costs are monthly.
I stupidly didnt keep a copy of the last one i sent....ive increased some as im trying to afford my dmp payment unlike when i first started and had no money left to even cover the basics.
Car breakfown 14 pcm petrol 150 dh 110 me
car insurance 85 pcm tv/phone/int 39 pcm
Clothes inc uniforms and shoes 110
Food inc dinners toiletries 600
Entertainment 70 pcm
School snack/milk contribution 15
School trips/swim lesson contribution 18
Dentist/optician 28 i wear glasses
Energency/house repairs 25. Ive bever put this in before? Is it allowed
Xmas/b days 55
Haircuts 35
Mobiles x2 45.
Other things ie mgage etc are more set so ive not out on here.
This would halve my dmp payment. Childcare is going up so thats part if but i wondered what any of you thought of the above figures as a long term budget.
Thanks all

beanielou

My thoughts.
Food is too high.
Clothes and uniform seem high to me.
As are Christmas costs.

NeverendingDMP

Thanks. Ive been trying to remember what i put last time and what was accepted. I think i had 550 for food before and 90 for clothing. These figures might be a bit too cheeky/high so can adjust them. Xmas is the one i set aside/spend even more than i write and have to absorb elsewhere. Really should have kept those copies from my earlier stepchange era eh... adult close family has agreed a secret santa this year so that will save a bit too.
Food ive been trying to work to 100 a week so i can save but have found it harder of late and am struggling to stay under 120 if im honest.

Chrystal

Can't you ask stepchange (or whoever you use) for advice? They probably have a copy of your previous expenses, and their job is to make sure that you have enough to live on, as well as paying your debts. They must come across this type of problem on a regular basis,so should be worth asking. X

jwil

Use the stepchange or nedcab websites with your budget, I think they both highlight where a budget is too high. Make use of all the categories as well.

NeverendingDMP

Thanks all. I managed to find the stepchange budget planner that gives the guidance figures. Some were quite high..ive gone for a happy medium.
My electric and gas bill has been re-recaluculated. Im now 9 pounds in debit as opposed to 98 in debit as of this monday just gone. The charges have been corrected and im now being charged the correct rate.
Check your bills folks you never know...

beanielou

Good news on the utilities bill.

jwil

Great news about the bill :T