Can I make any changes?

Andyjflet

Smashingitnow said:

You have a lot of 'non-neogtiables' meaning you are going to be repaying this debt for years, unable to buy a house (which means you will need to keep working to pay rent until you die), and unable to contribute to your children's university costs (or help them financially in other ways).
You have an iphone, an expensive car, and an expensive dog (that we know about...I am guessing there are other expensive things, hence the debt).  You also spend 600 pounds a year on gifts. These are nice.
But my question is when do you plan to pay off the debt to enable you to provide for your children's future needs and your old age? You have a good salary but at the rate you are going, it will take four years to pay off the debt, and if you then only save at the same rate, it will take you another four years to save a house deposit...will you still be young enough to get a 25 year mortgage in eight years' time?
You say you paid off some debts, but then you got the car loan...meaning your debt has not decreased. You are stuck permanently in a situation of paying interest and being unable to save.
So given this, your non-negotiables must signify or represent something VERY important to you, certainly more important than long term financial security for you and your children.
And so I think many people on this forum will struggle to suggest changes you can make, as it's rather an 'elephant in the room' situation. Saving twenty quid on groceries won't change the scenario above. Selling the car and getting a cheaper one, would.

This in a nutshell 

MerryGoRoundAvoider

It might seem harsh what the other folks on here are saying, and although you're facing up to your debts and know where your money is going (well done for doing that BTW, not easy), it's no time to be complacent there is still a long road. 

It's not up to us to decide what you can and can't live without. But this is a choice you're making. What would happen if you were made redundant or took unwell? This happens more often than you might think and if you don't have a financial cushion things can go south quickly. Do you even need a car? Could you give up your dog? Live with a crappy phone for a few years? I know these seem important to you but I personally would classify them as 'wants' rather than 'needs'.

monetxchange

Agree with all the comments above. In terms of cars, don't rule out all older cars as bangers that'll cost you loads. I know you had a bad experience but that's not the rule and I don't think the next step should be an expensive car when you're already struggling. There's always a happy medium.

I'm debt free and on a higher income for a single person yet I still drive a £1700 runaround that's 13 years old, runs great and never gives me any trouble. Cheap and easy to repair and flies through the MOT. these cars exist if you look for them. Don't get caught up in what looks "good".

TheAble

With all due respect I think all this car bashing is a little unhelpful. Op has only just bought it after probably getting sick of reliability issues with her last one. She can't be expected to immediately sell it again and go shopping for a cheapie.
My own point of view is that there are clearly some areas which could be made more efficient but she seems to be headed in the right direction. If advice must be given on the car front I'd say keep it well maintained, drive it sympathetically and try not to overuse it and it should hopefully last you for many years.

monetxchange

TheAble said:

With all due respect I think all this car bashing is a little unhelpful. Op has only just bought it after probably getting sick of reliability issues with her last one. She can't be expected to immediately sell it again and go shopping for a cheapie.
My own point of view is that there are clearly some areas which could be made more efficient but she seems to be headed in the right direction. If advice must be given on the car front I'd say keep it well maintained, drive it sympathetically and try not to overuse it and it should hopefully last you for many years.

Yeah, perhaps there's some reality to this. For me it just seems to be a constant refrain on here that people won't "compromise" with a cheaper car, buying into the sales notion that newer, bigger, faster will be cheaper in the long run. I see so many people coming on here paying for shiny cars more than their yearly income and I do think it's important to reiterate for everyone that second hand and older doesn't always mean falling apart and more expensive. Car credit is becoming an increasing problem in this country.