Newbie SOA Can anyone help?

Izzy44

Am sat here blubbering at my computer now! - It's just so nice to receive words of support and encouragement like this.

Neverdespairgirl I didn't mind you mentioning it at all - any suggestions are welcome - we are also both 30 so I'll get some quotes and see if we can save anything here.

Am going to try and manage on £80 a week for food shopping this month and see how that goes.

Thankyou

youngandreckless

Definately speak to Virgin Media, I just got what I was paying £60.50 for reduced to £30! Tell them you're fed up seeing the advert and why are they charging you 3 times as much!

Tustastic

Good luck with your debt-busting Izzy44 One of the things that can break the budget is when household items go wrong. Don't rush off and buy a new one - see if you can get one from your local Freecycle group. For now, just google Freecycle and then join (for free) the two or three groups in your area. You'd be surprised at the excellent condition items that people post there. You can also ask for things when you need them. HTH

Keeping_Positive

Izzy, theres 5 of us and I am able to do the main shop for c£70 a week including delivery charge so £80 should be quite realistic. Try meal planning for the week. Even if you dont stick to each day it helps you buy what you actually need rather then what you think you need.

neverdespairgirl

When you do renew any insurance, don't forget to go via quidco and get cashback.

babyxxxxx

i spoke to vrigin media yesterday im now on the two for £20 for phone and internet with free t.v

babyxxxxx

oh and they gave me £5 for something so i got a free £5 being sent to my account, well a £5 is a £5 can't compalin

Izzy44

Hi, just to let those of you who offered words of advice know, I have made a few changes which have reduced our monthly outgoings.

I have changed our car insurance provider and have managed to get a reduction of just over £200 a year!!!

I also looked at some of the other forums and planned out our weekly meals. Today I have had one weeks worth of shopping delivered at a cost of £80.54!!! (this includes the delivery fee - thought it was best to shop online as there's less temptation to buy other items). I am really pleased with this figure - our cupboards and fridge don't look bare at all - we have plenty to last the five of us all week.

I hadn't realised just how much I was spending on train travel until I added it up to put on my SOA - anyway, I enquired about a monthly pass and have purchased one at £74.

I do need to sort out a cheaper deal for the TV, telephone and internet. I phoned virgin but was told they couldn't offer me anything cheaper. Has anyone any advice on this? - which provider do you use?

A big thanks for your advice - the changes I have made so far required relatively little effort. As I was so 'down' about my situation it took posting on here to get me started. I'm feeling much more positive at the moment - hope it lasts!!

Thankyou

Keeping_Positive

Thanks for the update I so glad you are happier and more positive.

With regards to Virgin see what deal you could get with Sky and then ring Virgin and ask them to match if better.

I cant get our Sky bill any lower, we cant get Virgin here and OH will walk out if I cancel the footy!! Sky are wise to my threats to cancel (bother). I try to cut back in other areas such as hand me down clothes, we rarely go out etc to counteract.

Online shopping does help control how much I spend as well as does the meal planning.

Good luck please keep us updated.

neverdespairgirl

fantastic, you're on a roll!