Newbie needing help!

lunar

I wont mention the hobbies as you have asked not to. is there any way you can reduce your petrol costs? also can you look into getting one of those pre paid prescriptions, the amount you are paying it would prob be worth it.

You could try digging out some things to list on ebay, it sounds like you may have a rough couple of months coming up so that may help things.

are all your payments up to date, if your credit rating isnt bad you could have a look at swapping your credit over to lower interest rate cards.

Keeping_Positive

Hi

Just a few thoughts

I would look to reduce the gas and electric bill. I pay £55 a month for both. A 3 bed house with 2 adults 3 kids. Mine is EDF energy dual fuel online account.

Perscriptions - Ask the phamacy about quartely/annual payments. It seems alot upfront but may well work out cheaper in the long run.

When you do find out the APR's use the snowball calculator to work out what to pay off first etc.

Look at the old style board to see if you can save on the grocery bill.

Keeping_Positive

Just found this link on another thread for perscriptions. If you get 2 a month or 14 annually you are likely to be better off.

http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

PS Its easy 9.87 a month for 10 months covers a year. Just done it for my OH. Why we didnt do it soon I dont know!

Adrasteia01

Hi,
Your wage is reasonably high (even being at half its usual amount) and there should be ways to free up some extra money and earn more.

I know it wouldn't make a huge amount of difference, but I'd suggest www.pigsback.com to raise some reward points (there are always more options when you first sign up) to put towards a present for your son. You might be able to get a 10 pound voucher or thereabouts in a short space of time to put towards a present. www.quidco.co.uk may also be useful to get cash back.

piggybank68 wrote: »

Here is my SOA
MONTHLY OUTGOINGS
Utility Bills
Gas/Electric 85.00
Water 31.53
Home Insurance 12.98

Your gas and electric seem very high. I'd suggest doing all you can to cut down on these, including only using them where and when necessary. Turn things off when you're not using them. It will only have a gradual effect, but it will help in the long term. Also, I'd say you could probably arrange a later payment date with the utility companies and cancel the DDs without too much trouble. Have you considered changing company? If you do so through quidco you should get cash back.

As well as that, you could try contacting your bank and requesting a temporary increase in your overdraft, just to see you through the next couple of months.

CAR
Petrol 130.00
Tax 10.00
Car Insurance 27.41
Repairs 10.00

Could you cut down on the petrol and use the car less, or public transport where possible? Could you even consider selling the car to help pay off your debts? I have never had a car and get by fine, but I live where there is decent public transport nearby. It would depend on your area and general state of health.

Other Outgoings
Food Shopping 100.00

Have a look at the old style forum to save money on food. Try to cut down on the pre-packaged, processed type and cook your own from scratch or batch cook where possible. Optionally, if you tend to buy 'finest' kinds of foods, switch down to the less expensive brands and own brands for a while, or use a cheaper supermarket like Aldi or Lidl (it is worthwhile taking petrol into account where these are concerned too).

Another thing you could do is try to use up all of the food you currently have in the cupboard that has been sitting a while, and only buy what is necessary. Optionally, eat at friends/family's homes where possible.

Prescriptions 20.00

I believe in the UK you can get prepaid prescriptions, which will often work out cheaper for the year. Martin discusses it in his book and it is likely he does on the website here as well.

Clothing 18.00

Best to hold off on buying more for now.

Sons Riding Lessons 48.00

If you don't want to discontinue his hobby, is there any way to reduce the cost or frequency of the lessons so they don't cost as much in the immediate future?

My Horse 120.00 (over estimated)

Any way to cut down the cost?

Dining/The odd school meal 20.00
Xmas Presents/Food 40.00

I'd suggest holding off on allotting money to this for now.

Birthdays 10.00
Bank Charges 5.60

Bank charges can be reclaimed. Martin has a big section on it on this site.

Loans and Credit OUTGCards
Loan 1. Owe approx 3500.00 69.18
Loan 2. " " 8880.00 180.72
Loan 3. " " 1200.00 54.23
CCard 1. " " 698.00 25.00 (Through Collections Agency)
CCard 2. " " 1500.00 30.00 (" " " "
CCard 3. " " 3000.00 120.00
OD 720.00

It would be helpful to know how much you have free on the cards and what the APRs are (incl for cash out).

I didn't notice telephone/mobile phone/internet/tv packages listed in your SOA. Do you pay for these or does your partner? Can he be of any help with money in the short term?

All the best,
Tamara

MrsB68

wendy24g wrote: »

Just found this link on another thread for perscriptions. If you get 2 a month or 14 annually you are likely to be better off.

http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

PS Its easy 9.87 a month for 10 months covers a year. Just done it for my OH. Why we didnt do it soon I dont know!

Thanks so much for that info - I have looked at the site and I will be able to save quite a bit on that. :j

Adrasteia01

Also, I'd suggest looking at www.entitledto.co.uk to see if you're due any other benefits at the moment, or if they will change when you move out.

MrsB68

Adrasteia01 wrote: »

Hi,
Your wage is reasonably high (even being at half its usual amount) and there should be ways to free up some extra money and earn more.

I know it wouldn't make a huge amount of difference, but I'd suggest www.pigsback.com to raise some reward points (there are always more options when you first sign up) to put towards a present for your son. You might be able to get a 10 pound voucher or thereabouts in a short space of time to put towards a present. www.quidco.co.uk may also be useful to get cash back.



I didn't notice telephone/mobile phone/internet/tv packages listed in your SOA. Do you pay for these or does your partner? Can he be of any help with money in the short term?

All the best,
Tamara

I must have been reading your mind - because I realised I hadnt added these, then read your post. I have asked my ex partner if he can help with the utility bills but he wont. Mmmmm supportive as ever!

MrsB68

Just want to bump this if thats ok!

Any further support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am worried sick by this, and not sleeping or eating - I really cant see a way out of this black hole.

I have registered with Pigbacks, Sliceofpie and about 3 mystery shoppers.

Can anyone suggest anymore that I could sign up with please?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

Need_To_Sort_It

Just wanted to pop by and say hello and good luck xxx

MrsB68

Thank you!

Just had a restless nights sleep, waking on and off thinking about my bank account. :eek:

Would anyone think it would be a good idea to cancel all my DD /SO of loans and credit cards that are to go out of my account from now until payday. I should be able to do that on phone banking ?

What do I do then, sit and wait for them to contact me saying I have missed a payment - wont that go against my credit scoring? I panic about things like.

Can anyone help please?