Where do I begin with my debts???

arghindebt

where do i find the recipe ideas?

It averages out £75 a week. Its for me and two kids (used to be £130 for us plus my ex-husband so I got better!!!) plus snacks and drinks for children I childmind for. I can only shop at tesco, sainsburys or waitrose as I don't drive and they are the only three supermarkets that deliver, so obviously i have to pick one (tesco always works out cheaper). Only shops in town are another waitrose and small co-op that again is more expensive.

I'm on valued opinions, will sign up to quidco thanks

will look at both threads.

I will keep a spending diary. My main problem is doing my £75 shop and then running out of nappies or loo roll mid week. Or realising the meat that arrived monday went off tuesday and it's now thursday! So yes the little things are adding up.

Yes buildings should be contents sorry.

My council tax has council tax benefit hence low rate. I haven't included the benefit in the incomes section as my bill for it only reflects the lower price, unlike housing benefit where I pay my full rent and they pay the benefit back to me if that pays sense.

arghindebt

Recently spending has been paying off a holiday I thought would be a good idea nearly a year ago lol..... paid half when I earnt much more and lost a lot of work and moved house which was much costlier than I expected.

Bought a lot of furniture and general household expenses. Learning to drive so bought a car. (obviously lessons are another expense but if I can't afford them I will simply cut them out. Like I said my SOA reflected essentials).

Passports for three of us was another expense that floored me.

Numpty_Monkey

Have you had a look at the snowball calculator?
http://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx

Mrs_Bones

This money your friend owes you, do you have anything down in writting?
I know we never want to think a friend will let us down and also as far as your creditors are concerned this is your debt... but I really would be tempted to try to get it in writting anyway. This might also make the debt seem more really to your friend, rather then something that they could just think oh it's ok if i don't pay so and so anything this month, they can manage and won't mind etc.

sorry if i'm looking on the dark side here and I know it can be so hard because you don't want to lose friendship but just think it might be worth trying to look after yourself too.

tallyhoh

To get so much council tax benefit, you surely must be entitled to housing benfit as well. Have you included this or have you put you rent down with the benefit knocked off?

If you are getting housing benefit & your rent is still so expensive--is it possible to move to a cheaper place?

arghindebt

the housing benefit is the benefit of 550

I'll mention putting something in writing with my friend. Fingers crossed x