stuck in a debt spiral

root

How are you spending so much on groceries per month? With the takeaways and lotto on top thats nearly 700quid?

We eat well and there are 4 of us and we only spend around £350 max and that includes load of baby stuff? 

Also how come DH is putting in such a small amount? what are his 'personal bills' 

This is nowhere near as dire situation as you think. You could fix this in a matter of weeks.

allthe7s

root said:

How are you spending so much on groceries per month? With the takeaways and lotto on top thats nearly 700quid?

We eat well and there are 4 of us and we only spend around £350 max and that includes load of baby stuff? 

Also how come DH is putting in such a small amount? what are his 'personal bills' 

This is nowhere near as dire situation as you think. You could fix this in a matter of weeks.

I was shocked at the groceries spend, thats where my budget on paper falls down, I thought I was spending £400 max. we are 4 adult sized appetites however I don't buy branded items, and mainly shop in Aldi, I can't understand how its so much. Thank you for the positive comment that its resolvable. 

DH pays for his car, his petrol and 1 item on finance. this takes up the majority of his wage (he earns less than me).

allthe7s

Floss said:

Also, do you really spend £1,500 on presents over a year? Or is this disguising other costs like clothes? Maybe cut out buying for any adults, and also talk to the teenagers about your finances and explain that costs need to be cut all round - presents, entertainment, takeaways, food shopping. They are old enough to be part of the cost-cutting, and to help.

I don't think thats a lot for presents once you take into account we have 2 children and neices and nephews to buy for. 

allthe7s

Floss said:

allthe7s said:

It's as balanced as it can be I'm afraid. My DH can't afford to give me any more and my DD is hopefully getting a part time job in the next couple of months but not enough to pay board I wouldn't think. 

But she can fund her own pocket money...once I (and my own kids) got part-time jobs while still in education, pocket money stopped.

The pocket money is for my younger child. Once DD gets a job I will change the phone contract to her account. Its only £14 a month so not breaking the bank. 

root

allthe7s said:

root said:

How are you spending so much on groceries per month? With the takeaways and lotto on top thats nearly 700quid?

We eat well and there are 4 of us and we only spend around £350 max and that includes load of baby stuff? 

Also how come DH is putting in such a small amount? what are his 'personal bills' 

This is nowhere near as dire situation as you think. You could fix this in a matter of weeks.

I was shocked at the groceries spend, thats where my budget on paper falls down, I thought I was spending £400 max. we are 4 adult sized appetites however I don't buy branded items, and mainly shop in Aldi, I can't understand how its so much. Thank you for the positive comment that its resolvable. 

DH pays for his car, his petrol and 1 item on finance. this takes up the majority of his wage (he earns less than me).

The main way we save on our groceries is proper budgeting (like YNAB but a free app) and a weekly meal plan, that way we only buy exactly what we need, we don’t waste anything and we cook pretty much everything from scratch. We could probably cut it back even further but it’s working for us.

We work in a “fakeaway” as well every other week.

root

Also if DH is earning less than you then he can’t afford a financed car given the state of things.

kimwp

allthe7s said:

Floss said:

Also, do you really spend £1,500 on presents over a year? Or is this disguising other costs like clothes? Maybe cut out buying for any adults, and also talk to the teenagers about your finances and explain that costs need to be cut all round - presents, entertainment, takeaways, food shopping. They are old enough to be part of the cost-cutting, and to help.

I don't think thats a lot for presents once you take into account we have 2 children and neices and nephews to buy for. 

Presents are luxuries, not essentials. I know it might feel mean, but you need to cut back on this. One of the good things that will come out of this period of evaluating your spend is that you will learn what you really value and what therefore you want to spend your money and time on. Do your nieces and nephews and children need more things or is it actually strong family bonds from spending time together (for example)

kimwp

allthe7s said:

root said:

How are you spending so much on groceries per month? With the takeaways and lotto on top thats nearly 700quid?

We eat well and there are 4 of us and we only spend around £350 max and that includes load of baby stuff? 

Also how come DH is putting in such a small amount? what are his 'personal bills' 

This is nowhere near as dire situation as you think. You could fix this in a matter of weeks.

I was shocked at the groceries spend, thats where my budget on paper falls down, I thought I was spending £400 max. we are 4 adult sized appetites however I don't buy branded items, and mainly shop in Aldi, I can't understand how its so much. Thank you for the positive comment that its resolvable. 

DH pays for his car, his petrol and 1 item on finance. this takes up the majority of his wage (he earns less than me).

Have you looked at how much food goes in the bin or is in the cupboards? It's quite easy for that to add up without noticing.

Floss

allthe7s said:

Floss said:

Also, do you really spend £1,500 on presents over a year?  

I don't think thats a lot for presents once you take into account we have 2 children and neices and nephews to buy for. 

You don't have to buy anything for anyone. You are choosing to do so when you can't really afford to, certainly not that level.

Most of us have been where you are so we're talking from experience, not to have a go at you.

RAS

You have to cut your coat according to your cloth.

Or insist that OH starts to contribute more to the household. They really can't afford a car on finance if that is putting you into debt.

And if the holiday is what you want to put aside but haven't been, then you are leaking even more money than is suggested by your SOA. Where is it going?

You and OH both need to start spending diaries where you record everything including the odd coffee and the bag of crisps etc. Plus the tenner to junior for some activity.

This month, take full stock of the contents of the cupboards, fridge and freezer and meal plan round that with strict shopping list. Almost no snacks and treats. Budget pasta is 30-40p per half kilo and that's 4 full portions plus two lunch portions for pasta salad. Bendy veg go into soup.

Put one portion of pasta sauce aside before you serve. Start by buying pizza dough and making up at home with the pasta sauce and some very basic toppings, rather than a fully bought in pizza. 

Get the youngsters turning porridge oats into flapjack and morning oats etc.

Head over the Old Style Forum for ideas.