On the straight and narrow- NUFC-nutter's diary ~ Exam results are in!!!

NUFCnutter

I have decided also to do a grocery challenge for myself, I am setting £200 for the 4 of us for a month (or is that too high?) Starting from today. Going to keep a spending diary too. Would appreciate mucho support.

uhuru_2

Just a thought re school uniforms. I get loads for my two from Ebay - think I got about 4 or 5 summer dresses for them for less than £5 last year (including postage) and their cardigans for this year cost me about £2 each - new as well!

Another option is that some schools have a sale of second hand uniform on a regular basis where parents can sell on stuff that is still in good condition. Worth a try both for cheap uniform and to sell some outgrown stuff.

As others have said I would be looking to get the phone bills reduced as soon as you can and also make as many fuel savings as possible - not easy with kids I know!

I feed 2 adults and 2 kids for around £250 per month so hopefully you can get that down too.

Personally I would say that with a bit of tweaking the budget and some determined money saving you can start making inroads into your debt. In the mean time take some advice on bankruptcy and other debt options - it may be that struggling to pay everything off is not the best plan for you and your kids.

NUFCnutter

OK, so yesterday's spending diary went like this.

Rent - £128.82
Petrol - £10.00
Cubs subs (for two kids) - £10.00
Groceries - £6.97

Total spend: £155.79

Grocery challege £50 for the week, £43.03 left

My mam has said she will treat me to a coffee today so lets just see how today goes. I am quite pleased with yesterday. I had to pay my rent/get petrol/pay for subs and have enough food in to keep us going for the moment.

NUFCnutter

Hi all. Day 2 of being a DFW. Today has been a canny day all round. Finally got the grass cut in my front garden (unfortunately it means I can't go out there singing "Welcome to the Jungle" anymore but then the neighbours will probably be happier with that). Went out for a coffee and my mam paid, yay! Little things like that get you through. Have spent the bare minimun today so am dead proud of myself.

DD1's tuck money £1
DD2's Swimming money £2
DD3's Pre-school money £1.50
Groceries £2.59

Total spend today £7.09 this week £ 162.88

Grocery challenge £50 for the week, £40.44 left

NUFCnutter

Day 3 of being a DFW, and I am flying high. Have spent nothing, nada, zip. zero, nowt, not a penny today:j . (probably because I can't remember where I put my purse, :rotfl: ). But seriously. I am over the moon, cannot remember when I last spent nothing at all in a day. Have been revising for my exam on monday, and housework (:eek: ). Should have been at the Download Festival at Donnington this weekend but blooming exam on the same weekend, and I wouldn't have been back up north in time. :sad: At least I can console myself that I saved the ticket and spends money by not going. :j

Have written a letter to a DCA who are dealing for Littlewoods catalogue asking for the CCA. Am going to send it, and a one pound postal order off tomorrow. Anyone with any advice on this feel free to tell me.

Total spend today £0.00 this week £ 162.88

Grocery challenge £50 for the week, £40.44 left

Merlot

Send the letter by recorded delivery and get POD from the royal mail webiste, please do not sign the letter, simply print/type your name.

£200 is about right I would say for the grocery bill for one adult and 3 children.

Have you had a look at the CCCS website, just for info more than anything, it has a wealth of knowledge.

How is your credit rating?

Your mobile phone bill is too high, can you lower the tariff or get rid of completely?

Merlot.x.

Merlot

Just another thing, is your water rates fixed or are you on a meter, again its high.

NUFCnutter

Merlot wrote: »

Send the letter by recorded delivery and get POD from the royal mail webiste, please do not sign the letter, simply print/type your name. Thanks

£200 is about right I would say for the grocery bill for one adult and 3 children.

Have you had a look at the CCCS website, just for info more than anything, it has a wealth of knowledge. Aye have looked at that and the national debtline.

How is your credit rating? I cannot check, I went on the experion site and they needed a switch card to pay and I only have a solo card.

Your mobile phone bill is too high, can you lower the tariff or get rid of completely? I was looking at that yesterday, I am still under contract and couldn't work out how to get a lower tarriff, they are all animals and the cheap ones seem to be the same kind of thing I am on. Am going to look again tonight when I have some time to think.

Merlot.x.

Cheers Merlot.

Merlot

How long are you into the contract, usually after 9 months, phone them from your mobile phone as its free and ask them if you can lower your tariff, I know for certain o2 and Vodafone let you, I can't say for the other providers. You have nothing to lose but maybe a tenner per month to gain if you phone.

NUFCnutter

I am with the one where the future's bright if you know what I mean.