Slow and steady only works if you're moving

Sarahwithlove

That's a lot of pressure to put on you to go visit 3 times a week and an expense for the travel. 

Scott_Weiland79

Pet Supplies ......................... 100
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 116

Is there no way to reduce this? 2592 per year is alot what pets do you have?

People will back me up on here I used to race Siberian Huskies in Scotland and Norfolk etc etc I did in the past have a team of 6 dogs that were raw fed and I paid no where nearer that. I used to raw feed 6 huskies for 50-60per month, and insurance we didnt have as we couldnt because we raced them but we put 50 quid pm month away just in case we ever had unexpected vet bills.

I know its hard and you probably feel as I did in the past I have had a few occasions with step change where I have made token payments and it feels horrible. Think of it this way its isnt forever and its needs must at the time, you will get there I promise.

Have you done anything or looked at anything to boost your income? Ebay/fb/ziffit or vinted are good ones for decluttering. And survey sites are a good one if you have the time to increase you income abit. If you have an hour or 2 a day free sitting putting that time into doing surveys can easily bring you in an extra 20-30 a week. I know its small but its all baby steps you will get there

zcrat41

How old are your children? From the SOA it looks like one might be adult age? If over 18 I’d say they need to be contributing whether that be financially towards food and bills or by free childcare so you can work unsocial hours and get paid more. 

It seems to me like you’re putting other people first and not your own situation. Very sad for your Aunt and Uncle but I can’t see how you can afford to help care for them. 

cybertortoise

@Sarahwithlove she seems to be doing ok, though not recovering as well as we'd have hoped. She's having some tests done to see what is happening as the heart issues are all gone but something isn't right with her. My sister has been covering a lot of the trips to visit, she's in the same town. I've made them aware I am just a phone call away, available if needed but I'm not committing to anything right now. My aunt has had carers coming in daily, but I believe that is due to end soon.

@Scott_Weiland79 we have 3 cats and an elderly dog. My dogs age means the insurance is higher, but after shopping around recently I did manage to save about £20 a month, he is also on 2 different types of medication. The rest of that expense is for flea and wormer each month. Plus of course food and cat litter.

@zcrat41 My son is helping where he can around college and he gives me some money from his limited income. I will be putting my name down for additional shifts when one of my sons is available. There's even fewer shifts being offered than before due to budget cuts across the hospital. And, of course, lots of competition to get the ones that are offered. My younger son, who does most of the childcare, has just got a job. He's at college 3 days a week. He'll be contributing something financially which we'll figure out when he knows his hours, pay, etc. He's probably off to uni next year so this isn't something that will last.

Car insurance is sorted out so I will add a new SOA below. And my wage is due to increase next month. Plus next September I will go up a step on the NHS banding system and that will increase my wages.

cybertortoise

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1745.52
Benefits................................ 663.57
Other income............................ 300
Total monthly income.................... 2709.09

Monthly Expense Details
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 180
Rent.................................... 650
Council tax............................. 184
Electricity............................. 122
Gas..................................... 70
Water rates............................. 50
Mobile phone............................ 20
TV Licence.............................. 11
Internet Services....................... 50
Groceries etc. ......................... 500
Petrol/diesel........................... 100
Road tax................................ 28
Car Insurance........................... 122
Car parking............................. 5
Childcare/nursery....................... 50
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 20
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 116
Contents insurance...................... 12
Life assurance ......................... 44
Haircuts................................ 25
Entertainment........................... 41
Pet Supplies ........................... 100
Professional registration............... 36
Total monthly expenses.................. 2536


Assets
Car.................................. 4250
Total Assets............................ 4250

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Secured Debt.................. 7309.58..(145)......34.8
Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... 122......(35).......51
Total secured & HP debts...... 7431.58...-.........- 

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Stepchange.....................26954.3...28........0
CCJ............................128.......28........0
Utilita........................2142.1....50........0
Total unsecured debts..........29224.4...106.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 2,709.09
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 2,536
Available for debt repayments........... 173.09
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 106
Amount left after debt repayments....... 67.09

]Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 4,250
Total HP & Secured debt................. -7,431.58
Total Unsecured debt.................... -29,224.4
Net Assets.............................. -32,405.98

Created using the SOA calculator at www.LemonFool.co.uk.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using Firefox browser.

Scott_Weiland79

@Scott_Weiland79 we have 3 cats and an elderly dog. My dogs age means the insurance is higher, but after shopping around recently I did manage to save about £20 a month, he is also on 2 different types of medication. The rest of that expense is for flea and wormer each month. Plus of course food and cat litter.

All I would say re this is shop around try discounters re kitty litter ie home bargains, b and m, poundland etc 

re wormers/flea stuff dont get them from pets at home and dont get them on ddr, have a look at amazon as we found them cheaper.