Little bit of Wales; living in sunny Surrey

MovingForwards

Congratulations to your OH and to you receiving a payrise.

Usually I'd suggest ¹/3 of any extra money into savings, pension and debt, however I think you need to focus on debt and savings for the rest of this year. You already pay a lot more into a pension than most do at your age.

Paying the loan off sooner frees up money and also saves interest. Your financial position isn't very strong, especially based down south.

You can definitely do a lot better than that interest rate. N-tW-st and RBS are paying 3.25% on upto £1k, you need a current account with them in order to apply and can only pay upto £150pm into them. The CA could be used to hold a small emergency float.

Virgin have a coach account paying 1.75%, upto £250pm and it runs for a year. Their current account pays 2% on balances upto £1k and it comes with a linked savings account paying 1%.

All that extra interest makes difference to your savings.

Can you make the meat go further by cutting it smaller or using less per meal and bulk it out? Spag bol with mince and lentils works well.

It's hard spending on a CC, even interest free, as you're spending money before you've earned it. Double check your spends and if it is food / petrol that did it, you'll have to reduce saving as much each month, just until things are more settled.

joedenise

I would suggest adding a little smoked bacon or chorizo to your meat free meals as it always seems like there is meat in them then.  Doesn't need to be much, just a couple of ounces (50g) goes a long way for flavour.  Also add lots of herbs or spices to increase the flavour and then the meat free meals don't feel as though anything is missing.

My DH really likes meaty meals but he's now happy with meals like chana masala (chickpea curry) as I add plenty of spices to it.  You could also add some meat samosas as a side to it so that it includes some meat for your OH.

Like @MovingForwards says bulk out mince with lentils (red lentils just disappear into it).  Some people also add a handful of oats although neither of us liked it when I did that but worth a try.  Finely chopped mushrooms are another option for bulking mince out.  You can also add other veg like grated carrot and courgette.

Another thing you can do is to buy a whole chicken and make several meals from it - a roast, cold with chips & salad, a rice dish with chicken and chorizo, chicken and ham pasta bake - both the rice and pasta dishes need minimal amounts of meat and make substantial meals.  Then of course the carcass can be boiled or put into a slow cooker to make stock as a base for soups, risottos etc.

catlady1990

Thanks for the tips I love added lentils and veg to as many meals as possible. That's a good idea with the chorizo. 

I ended up in hospital and now I'm on statutory sick pay for the next 6 months. Currently used my savings and 0% credit card to bring down debt, also selling clothes on vinted that don't fit.

Literally want to cry as life always does this. 

Loan with natwest £1423
Loan with monzo £5188
0% cc mbna 898
Loan to sister 991

Signed up to universal credit but still getting zero due to pay last month.

Savings £1000 emergency fund
580 sinking fund
10 3/6 months savings 
£1588 Lisa
173 stocks and shares (can't access as negative at the moment)

catlady1990

We do a lot with chicken and pork

catlady1990

Bulk buy and spread over many meals

catlady1990

I struggle to leave the house at the moment so doing online deliveries which is more expensive than shopping at lidl 

Sarahwithlove

I was going to suggest saving your extra instead of paying off loan until you have enough to clear the whole thing. But seen you are off sick. How long do you think that will be the case? Is your partner still working? Hope you get some UC soon 

catlady1990

I'm not sure it's due to mental health issues and the Dr doesn't think better for a while 😞

I was trying to save the whole lot but what I have done is paid a couple of months extra on monzo fir no charge until we know nice with benefits 
Citizens advice is helping tomorrow and the mental health team might help as well.

catlady1990

My partner is working but hoping we will get a little bit 

catlady1990

We get nothing apart from statutory sick pay. This is going to be an interesting few months and found out I can't drive my car. Not that I have wanted too.