My SOA

RAS

howdidthishappen wrote: »

unfortunately our sky and broadband are tied into contracts

Can you reduce your packages?

howdidthishappen wrote: »

Also we dont buy clothes if my little girl needs anything my mum is really good and has been helping us out and me and dh just make do with what we have

HAve you signed up for www.freecycle.org - like e-bay but you get the stuff for free. great for clothes, kid's stuff, household stuff and even the odd car and computer.

howdidthishappen

sky is the cheapest package i think, however i will get dh to call both and find out. will also sign up with freecycle thanks ras

i think im goingto try and dig some bits out to sell too to make some extra cash

scooterwife

How old is your daughter. If she is 3 you can get funded sessions to help pay for childcare.

scooterwife

is it really worth your while working? (unless you really love your job obviously)

howdidthishappen

hi scooter she is only 1
money wise it isnt really worth working but i found that staying at home all the time was really getting me down and i cant afford to be going to baby groups every day of the week so i go to work 2 days a week to get some adult conversation

scooterwife

I know what you mean, I was out of the house most of the time when mine were little:rotfl: . (easier than tidying up). can't think of anything else that will help at the moment, unless grandparents enjoy baby-sitting for free to reduce nursery bill?

howdidthishappen

unfortunately all grandparents still work full time they are only in their 40's so no free childcare for a while yet

Merlot

Can you work weekends instead, I had too when my children were small, otherwise it didn't pay to work and still doesn't for me. I'm a SAHM, I love it, no office politics etc, but I also enjoy my own company, it can be a huge problem if you don't.

Does your company or your OH company do childcare vouchers?

Merlot.x.

mandy2901

Hiya, know the feeling when money is tight,

Call sky and tell them you are struggling to pay the monthly payments, they will offer half price to ensure they get something, Keep your line rental with BT as thats all your contracted to do but go elsewhere for your calls or make all calls in the evening and weekends as Bt now offer free calls at this time for as long as you stay with them.

Could you work when hubby at home so still have the company and income but no childcare costs? Have you made your your are getting all the family tax credits and childcare allowance you are due?

Also dont know if it still applies but if working as a homechildminder a good percentage of your income is not counted. Definately register for freecycle, is worth it for the things you cant afford.

Timeshare - can you not rent it out and regain some revenue?

Speak to ALL your debtors and explain the situation, ask them to freeze the interest on the debts and set up a figure that you can afford but make sure you can comfortably afford it EVERY month or they have you by the short and curlies so to speak.

Transfer all credit card balances onto 0% deals if poss. and keep doing so each time period ends. Check that you dont qualify for any council tax benefit, a welfare rights officer at your local council should be able to assess and confirm if you qualify for anything else.

Good luck, oh and do have a good rummage its amazing what we gather up over the years that could bring in a few extra pounds.:rolleyes:

As a last point please try and get house insurance, only 20 odd quid a month but if anything were to happen, could you afford to start from scratch?

mandy2901

invest in a travel pass if you dont have one, much cheaper for regular travel