Terrifying Lightbulb Moment!

scorpio04

I've been registered on this site since 2004! That's three years I could have been working on my debts . Today's the day I've finally stopped playing the ostrich and made the decision to sort myself out. I've done my monthly expenses and have £163 more going out than I have coming in before food etc. I want to do SOA and have been scouting aroung this site all morning trying to find where I do it and where I put it when I've done it. Can someone help? I'm in the "numb and can't see anything but the problem" place at the moment so all advice really appreciated. Just going to visit friend in hospital and trying to thinking of something nice to take her without it costing loads of money! She'll be getting huge bouquets from others so need to think of something else.

meyore

At the top of this forum is a sticky detailing what to do. Don't panic you're in the right place, just take a deep breath and good luck
Xx

dizzy_lizzie

Hi scorpio04
You're already taking something special to the hospital...you! I know when I've been in it's just soooo nice to see friends and family. Maybe take one of those crossword/wordsearch books in. They're not too dear are they and great for when you're bored.
Good luck with the debt free journey.
Luvz Dizzy x
Just to add, take a pen as well for her if you decide to take the crossword book x

Miss-spent_2

Hi,why not take a nice bottle of squash or fruit juice or Lemonade. Hospitals are always hot and dry.
Good luck with debts. One tip, before you buy anything think do I absolutely need to spend money on this or can I do without or substitute it with something I already have.

scorpio04

Well, this is the SOA as far as I can see at the moment. Will tot up balances when I get back from hospital. It doesn't look good.....

Monthly Incomings:

My salary - £1,200

Total - £1,200

Monthly Outgoings:

Mortgage/Rent - £550
Council Tax - £85
Gas - £45
Electric - £50
TV License - £11.71
Sky £17
Phone - £20
Food - £200
Car Insurance - £96.20 (includes my son’s insurance – he has Asperger’s Syndrome and can’t work. His car is his lifeline)
Petrol - £100
Loans – £264.64
Credit Cards - £59.61

Total: £1,409.16

duchy

Just a thought but would your son consider contributing to the budget by doing stuff like the surveys or competitions on-line ?

MissEyre

scorpio04 wrote: »

Well, this is the SOA as far as I can see at the moment. Will tot up balances when I get back from hospital. It doesn't look good.....

Monthly Incomings:

My salary - £1,200

Total - £1,200 Can you do any surveys, clicks, mystery shopping, sell anything on ebay to increase this? There is an 'Up your Income' board-would be worth having a look

Monthly Outgoings:

Mortgage/Rent - £550
Council Tax - £85 This can be paid over 12 months rather than 10, to free up some extra money-ask the council
Gas - £45 Cheapest tariff?
Electric - £50 Cheapest tariff?
TV License - £11.71
Sky £17 This is not essential-can you cancel?
Phone - £20
Food - £200 How many of you are there? OS board great for reducing this
Car Insurance - £96.20 (includes my son’s insurance – he has Asperger’s Syndrome and can’t work. His car is his lifeline)
Petrol - £100 Can you car share, bus, train, walk instead?
Loans – £264.64 What is the loan term and APR?
Credit Cards - £59.61 How many cards, totals, APRS?

Total: £1,409.16

Welcome, there are some savings to be made, but would obviously be helpful if you could up your income, even temporarily. Not impossible though, by a long shot!

scorpio04

Have been trying everythink suggested to earn money from clicks etc thanks to all the great advice on here. Had more bad news on Friday when my salary cheque bounced. Spoke to employer who will sort it this week I'm sure but moved money from my credit card to cover only it hasn't gone through yet. Both accounts are with First Direct so can't see why it's taking so long. So I'm well over my OD limit already this month. Think I might have to contact CCCS but is that the same as an IVA. So worried and sick to my stomache. Back at work today and nerves are jangling at the thought of going in. Just want to crawl into a hole somewhere. Feel so stupid for having gotten myself into this state. Have nowhere to turn. If it was just me I could sell up and go off somewhere but difficult with 27 yr old son with AS. i know I should try and get an extra job but I'm so exhausted all the time and finding it really hard to make serious extra money online. Have made a bit and ex husband (good friend) is trying to help but living in Quatar at the moment so not easy. Truly depressed about whole thing and think that is blinkering me. Moods so up and down; one minute positive about finally tackling situation and next, black hole because I can't see a way out. Sorry if I sound whiney and for the long post.

firesidemaid

hi there

you have done a really good thing by posting on here.

your gas and elec seem a little on the high side - you could switch to cheaper tariffs (check martin's article on the utilities section) - with cashback too.

by phone do you mean mobile or landline? either of these could be reduced either - sky's basic package with b/band, four mixes and free evening and weekend calls is £19.

the next bit you don't have to answer, but does your son get benefits etc - incapacity, dla? does he give you housekeeping, money for the insurance etc? (my partner gets these benefits and gives me nearly half each month as housekeeping) - that might help if possible, maybe difficult i know.....

use cashback sites for all necessary spending - you can get £100 cashback on top of the cheapest prices for car and home insurance etc.

for food shopping, check out the old style board for moneysaving, menu planning, batch cooking etc. they will say you can do it for 2 on £100 or less a month.

take care and good luck x

mummytofour

Oh im going to jump here, does your son get DLA? If he does, does he get mobility? The mobility part is there for just that to help him get around. Sorry I dont mean to sound harsh, I have a son with special needs myself and its not easy.

taplady

mummytofour wrote: »

Oh im going to jump here, does your son get DLA? If he does, does he get mobility? The mobility part is there for just that to help him get around. Sorry I dont mean to sound harsh, I have a son with special needs myself and its not easy.

was going to suggest this myself, my son gets DLA for a similar condition - might help out with the car insurance.