Simple ways of controlling your spending

[debt helper UK]

Hello there,

 

I read a thread by bookworm, very clued up guy in relation to paying off your debts, heaven forbid if I was in that situation again.

 

My simple tips for controlling your spending are as follows.

 

1. enjoying your life is out of the window, forget it, you cannot afford to have a good time. Entertainment discard it, that holiday you saw on the cheap on teletext, forget it ( it would mean you would have to pay money to buy new outfits or clothes, then there is spending money, massive can of worms). You will have to make do until you have sorted those annoying debts.

 

2. Buy Cheap- squeeze those extra pennies out of shopping budget. There is no shame in buying asda smartprice stuff. I once did 1 months shopping on £20 by buying white labled food. Don't be proud be prudent. also write down what you need, this focuses you on essentials rather than luxury buys

 

3. Change - those pennies and two pennies add up, any change you have put in a tin, then go to the bank get plastc bags, and then put the change in. It may be five pound or a £1, no matter its still money.

 

4. cancel that contract - mobile phone contracts are expensive and cost a lot in the long run - forget it, if you want a mobile get a pay as you go chip. Instead of calling people use texting, go for a good pay as you go tarriff which has some free offer on.

 

5. benefits - you are always entitled to benefits in some shape or form, there is no harm in applying, they may say yes they may say no. check the yougov.gov.uk for the appropiate forms.

 

6.Buy 2nd hand - you like computer games?, everyone wants the latest games, in about 6 months all games are usually much cheaper, especially at places like computer games exchange or game. better yet wait longer, 1 year and the game you wanted then will be far cheaper. If you have old games and you never play them why not trade them in for money or for credit to buy other games. (that one is for nerds out there, or for those who have kids demanding games).

 

7.Car tax - never under any circumstances pay car tax for 6 months, its a mugs game 6 months car tax is not exactly half of twelve months its more. If you have a car, get it off road with a SORN declaration until you have the amount you need to pay for a full twelve months.

 

8. Charity shops - cheap clothes you could pick up, ASDA also they do smartprice clothing, the clothes that I am wearing right now was picked up for £8. Most popular items are usually the cheapest (i.e white shirts, black trousers etc.etc)

 

9. Don't think that because you have extra money means you have more money to play with - this is the biggest mistake anyone, and I mean anyone can make. Your priority are your debts. see a way of working in that extra cash into your debts, call them up and pay a little extra, if you cannot, save,save,save, until you have a sufficient amount to pay a lump sum. Do not be tempted in dipping your hand into it. Think to yourself no,no,no.

 

10. Energy efficiency - short term expensive long term a saving a bundle. I bought 7 energy saving light bulbs 3 years ago, they are still working, I moved house and used the same lights again. mint. Heating, halogen heaters, forget water heating,forget storage heating, or electric heating. they are mobile, you can move them from room to room, they give the same heat as 12 standard light bulbs, so I use one bar which is 4 light bulbs. Also look at changing your your supplier, u switch seem to know what they are doing, offering cheaper alternatives. There are many other ways please feel free to post them.

 

11. land line telephones. I learnt a long time ago that calling a mobile a long time ago was going to kill me, so I put call barring on my phone. It reduces the temptation to contact people on their mobile. I deliberately forgot the pin so I would never use it. Also remember some phone companies offer free phone calls at certain periods of the day. call people if you want to talk at those times. use your mobile text them then say what time you will call them on their landline. Switch companies with better rates u switch again.

 

12. Internet - broadband connections, you don't need the fastest connection speeds a simple 1mb or 512k connection is simple enough. remember the smaller the bandwidth the cheaper it is. most likely the company may give you free bandwith at the same price, or do that then increase your charges if they do, then contact them and advise you want to be returned to your lower amount.

 

13. learn how to cook, ready made meals or take away are expensive, especially if you live in london, the net has some brilliant places for recipe ideas read and its never too late to learn. Stews seem to be both filling and healthy. Also you can put them into containers and freeze them to extend the lifespan, most food you cook you can freeze and have later. pasta also, cheap and easy to cook, can have that practically with anything.

 

14. don't give in to peer pressure - everyone you know is going out and you want to do something social, sorry its going to cost you, you cannot afford to go out, they beg you and say they will pay, say sorry, some other time perhaps, don't think your being anti social, think of it as when I am more financially secure, then I will be happier and more socialble then. Think of it this way, its free to walk in the park or go to a museum or gallery

 

15. Walk everywhere, use public transportation if need be, I walk practically everywhere and if I am going some where far I use cheap public transportation, personal space goes out of the window when your in debt, don't be proud. In london they have oyster cards, top up and control your weekly or monthly travel expenses. I wish they had that scheme everywhere in the UK.

 

16. Freecycle - there is a way of getting things second hand for free its called freecycling its like you can give away stuff for free and get stuff for free, I got a lovely leather couch with a mark on it which usually retails at £500 for free, just picked it up and away I went. They have lots of things for free, laptops, mobile phones etc, etc just goto Freecycle.org

 

17. Always plan long term, your debt is going to be with you for a few years, think every pound spent will mean less money you owe, I made a spread sheet covering every payment I made and how much less it is and the time remaining to pay the debt off. It gave me a visual aid to show that the work i am doing is paying off, I will be able to make a copy of it available to those who are interested.

 

18. don't give up, it may feel like the end of the world, however, I have learned that being patient and making sacrifices will improve your standing later on.

 

I will be giving more helpful hints, I know there are plenty more I have not mentioned on here. I hope this can be a start.

 

debt helper UK

[itsamomentintime]

Hello there,

 

I read a thread by bookworm, very clued up guy in relation to paying off your debts, heaven forbid if I was in that situation again.

 

My simple tips for controlling your spending are as follows.

 

1. enjoying your life is out of the window, forget it, you cannot afford to have a good time. Entertainment discard it, that holiday you saw on the cheap on teletext, forget it ( it would mean you would have to pay money to buy new outfits or clothes, then there is spending money, massive can of worms). You will have to make do until you have sorted those annoying debts. you dont need to spend money to have a good time, know what i mean?

 

2. Buy Cheap- squeeze those extra pennies out of shopping budget. There is no shame in buying asda smartprice stuff. I once did 1 months shopping on £20 by buying white labled food. Don't be proud be prudent. also write down what you need, this focuses you on essentials rather than luxury buys

 

3. Change - those pennies and two pennies add up, any change you have put in a tin, then go to the bank get plastc bags, and then put the change in. It may be five pound or a £1, no matter its still money.

 

4. cancel that contract - mobile phone contracts are expensive and cost a lot in the long run - forget it, if you want a mobile get a pay as you go chip. Instead of calling people use texting, go for a good pay as you go tarriff which has some free offer on.

 

5. benefits - you are always entitled to benefits in some shape or form, there is no harm in applying, they may say yes they may say no. check the yougov.gov.uk for the appropiate forms. steady on. dont you remember all those parents who were overpaid in child tax credits? every penny had to be paid back. think carefully before applying for benefits you migh not be entitled to

 

6.Buy 2nd hand - you like computer games?, everyone wants the latest games, in about 6 months all games are usually much cheaper, especially at places like computer games exchange or game. better yet wait longer, 1 year and the game you wanted then will be far cheaper. If you have old games and you never play them why not trade them in for money or for credit to buy other games. (that one is for nerds out there, or for those who have kids demanding games).

 

7.Car tax - never under any circumstances pay car tax for 6 months, its a mugs game 6 months car tax is not exactly half of twelve months its more. If you have a car, get it off road with a SORN declaration until you have the amount you need to pay for a full twelve months.

 

8. Charity shops - cheap clothes you could pick up, ASDA also they do smartprice clothing, the clothes that I am wearing right now was picked up for £8. Most popular items are usually the cheapest (i.e white shirts, black trousers etc.etc)

 

9. Don't think that because you have extra money means you have more money to play with - this is the biggest mistake anyone, and I mean anyone can make. Your priority are your debts. see a way of working in that extra cash into your debts, call them up and pay a little extra, if you cannot, save,save,save, until you have a sufficient amount to pay a lump sum. Do not be tempted in dipping your hand into it. Think to yourself no,no,no.

 

10. Energy efficiency - short term expensive long term a saving a bundle. I bought 7 energy saving light bulbs 3 years ago, they are still working, I moved house and used the same lights again. mint. Heating, halogen heaters, forget water heating,forget storage heating, or electric heating. they are mobile, you can move them from room to room, they give the same heat as 12 standard light bulbs, so I use one bar which is 4 light bulbs. Also look at changing your your supplier, u switch seem to know what they are doing, offering cheaper alternatives. There are many other ways please feel free to post them.

 

11. land line telephones. I learnt a long time ago that calling a mobile a long time ago was going to kill me, so I put call barring on my phone. It reduces the temptation to contact people on their mobile. I deliberately forgot the pin so I would never use it. Also remember some phone companies offer free phone calls at certain periods of the day. call people if you want to talk at those times. use your mobile text them then say what time you will call them on their landline. Switch companies with better rates u switch again.

 

12. Internet - broadband connections, you don't need the fastest connection speeds a simple 1mb or 512k connection is simple enough. remember the smaller the bandwidth the cheaper it is. most likely the company may give you free bandwith at the same price, or do that then increase your charges if they do, then contact them and advise you want to be returned to your lower amount.

 

13. learn how to cook, ready made meals or take away are expensive, especially if you live in london, the net has some brilliant places for recipe ideas read and its never too late to learn. Stews seem to be both filling and healthy. Also you can put them into containers and freeze them to extend the lifespan, most food you cook you can freeze and have later. pasta also, cheap and easy to cook, can have that practically with anything.

 

14. don't give in to peer pressure - everyone you know is going out and you want to do something social, sorry its going to cost you, you cannot afford to go out, they beg you and say they will pay, say sorry, some other time perhaps, don't think your being anti social, think of it as when I am more financially secure, then I will be happier and more socialble then. Think of it this way, its free to walk in the park or go to a museum or gallery

 

15. Walk everywhere, use public transportation if need be, I walk practically everywhere and if I am going some where far I use cheap public transportation, personal space goes out of the window when your in debt, don't be proud. In london they have oyster cards, top up and control your weekly or monthly travel expenses. I wish they had that scheme everywhere in the UK.

 

16. Freecycle - there is a way of getting things second hand for free its called freecycling its like you can give away stuff for free and get stuff for free, I got a lovely leather couch with a mark on it which usually retails at £500 for free, just picked it up and away I went. They have lots of things for free, laptops, mobile phones etc, etc just goto Freecycle.org

 

17. Always plan long term, your debt is going to be with you for a few years, think every pound spent will mean less money you owe, I made a spread sheet covering every payment I made and how much less it is and the time remaining to pay the debt off. It gave me a visual aid to show that the work i am doing is paying off, I will be able to make a copy of it available to those who are interested.

 

18. don't give up, it may feel like the end of the world, however, I have learned that being patient and making sacrifices will improve your standing later on.

 

I will be giving more helpful hints, I know there are plenty more I have not mentioned on here. I hope this can be a start.

 

debt helper UK

 

 

itsamomentintime

[Bookworm]

I read a thread by bookworm, very clued up guy in relation to paying off your debts, heaven forbid if I was in that situation again.

 

:eek:

 

I bought 7 energy saving light bulbs 3 years ago, they are still working

I'll go find the thread on MSE, some energy companies actually send up to 4 free bulbs to people on certain benefits, I got them last year, I'll post back here when I have found it.

 

I made a spread sheet covering every payment I made and how much less it is and the time remaining to pay the debt off.

Snap. Mine is multi-coloured so that I can see straight away where the line ends.

 

A very good post, (and no, I am not just returnign the compliment! ).

 

We help people with coping with the immediate effects of debt and poverty, but I think that helping with getting out of the long-term hole is part and parcel of that help.

[Bookworm]

Here we are:

 

4 FREE low energy lightbulbs

THIS IS A ON-GOING OFFER

To receive 4 low energy lightbulbs you need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits or credits:

 

income support

housing benefit

council tax benefit

income based JSA

DLA

War disablement pension

industrial injuries disablement benefit

working familys tax credit

disabled persons tax credit

child tax credit

pension credit

working tax credit

 

if you receive any of these send your name, address, and state which of the above benefits you receive to:

 

Disability Now (Powergen)

FREEPOST

PO Box 7

Manchester

M19 2HD

 

one pack of lightbulbs per household.

 

Thanks to MSE Foxy for info.

[Paintball]

Hi Bookie

 

Thanks for the above. I'm going to make my request today ... and by the way, I know you're a girl even if some people seem to forget

P xxx

[debt helper UK]

Hello again,

 

Thanks on the information, about the free light bulbs, I will pass that on to a few people I know, they would be most interested.

 

Apologies on the gender issue, my mistake.

 

However I would like to give you some useful reading, I found it to be a excellent book on saving and spending.

 

Its from readers digest its called " how to pay less for just about anything" it has some excellent tips and strategies to make your money go that little bit further.

 

If you want to read it go ahead, I would like you to ask people to read this thread, I hope it is useful for a long term strategy on making your money go further while people are paying their debts off.

 

Thanks

 

Debt Helper UK

[Bookworm]

Even better (as it's free):

 

Money Saving Expert: Consumer Revenge - Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more

 

Contains everything and anything on money saving, by people to people.

[Guest ArthurP]

Here we are:

 

4 FREE low energy lightbulbs

THIS IS A ON-GOING OFFER

To receive 4 low energy lightbulbs you need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits or credits:

 

income support

housing benefit

council tax benefit

income based JSA

DLA

War disablement pension

industrial injuries disablement benefit

working familys tax credit

disabled persons tax credit

child tax credit

pension credit

working tax credit

 

if you receive any of these send your name, address, and state which of the above benefits you receive to:

 

Disability Now (Powergen)

FREEPOST

PO Box 7

Manchester

M19 2HD

 

one pack of lightbulbs per household.

 

 

Thanks to MSE Foxy for info.

 

 

Crikey, I was better off unemployed.

 

Council tax paid, free dental treatment, my cat was treated by the PDSA, a small sum of monies paid to me every fortnight, reduced leisure centre admission and now free lightbulbs.

 

I took a low paid job to get out of the rut I was in and it's just a battle to survive still.

 

Why no help for the likes of me who's in just a slightly better position than when jobless?

[debt helper UK]

Hi arthur,

 

You may think that being unemployed is better than being employed is okay if you have a low paid job you may still be entitled to benefits also, I remember when I was working I was being paid a pittance, but still I was able to apply for benefits,

 

I think as long as you don't have savings higher than 16k, then your eligible like as I said in my main post always check if your eligible, you never know.

 

However I have once considered that unemployment and being on benefits was a attractive proposition, but you need to take into account certain things which are your food, your electric and or gas also if you are lucky a phone line also TV licence, and them I am sorry to say you need sometimes a hefty wedge of cash to afford to keep up with those, I was in the unfortunate situation whereby I did not pay my water rates and ended up with a CCJ against my name. I think most people think they could get away with TV licence, however it would mean you are probably too afraid to open your door to anyone.

 

So working even with a low paid job, would still mean that you could cover those bills and gaining benefits in relation to your situation, would be a far healthier alternative than just a all out decision to stay unemployed.

 

Furthermore if your under 25 and work about 16 hours per week you get tax credits, if over 25 and working 35 hours per week you would be entitled to tax credits.

 

There are ways of increasing your income.

 

ever considered selling your old DVD's on amazon or ebay, your items that you no longer want could add significantly amounts to your income.

 

remember, when your in debt everything is "fair game" in relation to your assets.

 

I remember to myself if, it is not doing anything for me, then it is expendable.

 

you become pretty ruthless when you ain't got two pennies to rub together.

 

Cash convertors seem tot be a good thing if you want to remove things in your house.

[Guest Fallenangel]

Hi debt helper uk

 

Just enjoyed reading that post...very good advice and most of it I do anyway now...and just wanted to say....ASDA smart price is ALWAYS in my trolley!!!!

[surprise]

Just to let you know that these are also available at your Neighbourhood Office for pensioners as well.

[Belaflat]

7.Car tax - never under any circumstances pay car tax for 6 months, its a mugs game 6 months car tax is not exactly half of twelve months its more. If you have a car, get it off road with a SORN declaration until you have the amount you need to pay for a full twelve months.

 

Unfortunately, paying for the full year in one go would cripple me and I need a vehicle for work as its too far to cycle (not to mention dangerous due to the roads I would have to ride on) there is no public transport and taxi fares are £22 each way (I had to do it a while ago)

 

With regard to wages versus benefits, I actually took a reduction in pay to start my job but was 27p over the limits for any benefits...figure that one out. I lost Council tax benefits etc so in real terms was substantially worse off.

I stuck it out for the longer term benefits and now although I have a reasonable income, it is being eaten up by the costs of owning and running a vehicle, council tax, prescriptions etc to the point where I went on a benefits calculator site which indicated I would be only marginally worse off if I worked part time and claimed benefits than having to work shifts on a 24/7 operation.

If I factored out transport costs by disposing of my vehicle and getting a part time job locally and taking into account the council tax benefits I would receive, I am constantly asking myself what the hell am I working for.

 

I suppose its because I have kids and realise if I throw my job away now, when they have left home I will be scuppered.

 

Even with my supposed good income now, the CCCS quick online debt checker showed I was £300 behind a month against what I needed to get by and that was using thier figures.

 

No damned wonder I am in debt.

[Guest ArthurP]

Hello debthelper uk

 

What annoys me is there is very little difference between my low paid job and being unemployed yet I get no help but when I was unemployed I did.

 

I have to find £90 a month Council Tax, £100 a month travel costs that I didn't need being unemployed then there is paying tax on low wages and an unbelievable amount of NI.

 

I contacted the Tax Office and we went through everything and they said I can get no help.

 

It's a swindle.

[Belaflat]

What annoys me is there is very little difference between my low paid job and being unemployed yet I get no help but when I was unemployed I did.

 

I have a reasonable income but with 4 kids to support and a non working partner and as I said above, what the hell am I doing it all for.

 

Across the road from me are 2 families both non working.

Thier houses have been done up by the council for nothing, they have better cars than I have and can afford a holiday each year.

 

Am I bitter and twisted, you bet your life I am.

[Bookworm]

Can we stay on topic, please? If you want, I can move your posts to the Bear Garden to carry on, or you could start a new thread there. ;-)

[Guest ArthurP]

I have a reasonable income but with 4 kids to support and a non working partner and as I said above, what the hell am I doing it all for.

 

Across the road from me are 2 families both non working.

Thier houses have been done up by the council for nothing, they have better cars than I have and can afford a holiday each year.

 

Am I bitter and twisted, you bet your life I am.

 

I have to agree with you.

 

It may sound like a tired old story but these are the facts.

 

I have/am living these circumstances and I'm going to work flat out for the next three months to get a bit of cash together to pay the mortgage for a few months and then I'm quitting my job to go on the dole.

 

I get paid monthly on the last day and I can guarantee from next week I'll struggle to buy a loaf of bread.

 

And I'm working! It's a disgrace.

[debt helper UK]

Hello People,

 

Okay I think we are getting a little off topic here at the moment.

 

What we should be looking at is how doing simple things like I mentioned in my 1st post, you could be able in efficiently gain a more balanced lifestyle as opposed at being at mercy to the four winds.

 

I read in these posts about kids, children are a notorious factor especially when your in debt.

 

Everyone wants to give their children the best lifestyle possible, this can be done on budget also, remember kids clothing, school clothes, ASDA, cheap a chips, for wear and tear, better to sew than spend. Recycle clothing if you have kids around the same age use the same clothing you did for their elder borthers or sisters, adjust clothing by sewing.

 

In comparision, most people who are on benefits adjust their lifestyles to make every penny count, not that I am advocating benefits, I am mearly saying that you become more tight pursed and you look closer at income if you have a low fixed income.

 

Besides, from my experience, people who are on the social tend to be more wary of burdening themselves with massive debt, in addition they don't have the largest burden most people these day have, a mortgage as renting social accomodation is quite low compared to having a mortgage running into the £100k + mark. But as mentioned most those people have got no rent or council tax to pay.

 

However did you know that if your unemployed or on a low income and have a mortgage you can have your interest paid on your mortgage, unless the situation is different please tell me.

 

What I would like to stress, in ways of controlling your spending you are trying to 1. the time it takes to clear your debts 2. make you lifestyle more bearable.

 

From experience I have realised one thing. If you are in debt, you must learn not to repeat the same mistakes again, and make a conscious effort to prevent yourself from falling into the same trap.

 

Remember your in control of your own life, don't let others control it for you.

 

To all parents out there who have kids, sometimes its better to say "no", then say yes for a easy life. Your the parent not the other way around.

 

any replies, or any other questions about help controlling your spending please don't hesistate to send me a msg. I will promise to do my best to help solve your queries.

 

Debt Helper UK

[debt helper UK]

Arthur,

 

Read your issues, quick questions, you said £100 per month travel costs, can you elaborate on this matter please. £90 per month council tax, I assume Band A property. What is the level of your debt, if your happy to mention etc. etc.

 

Debt Helper UK

[Zimmie]

Hi Debt Helper UK, thanks for the very helpful post. I'd like to offer a tip for saving money on food shopping.

Many of the big supermarket chains reduce the price of fresh fruit & vegetable, instore bakery products and chilled products when they are ner their sell by date. I shop at Asda so can only offer my experience with them. At around 2pm Asda's staff (employed purely to do price reductions) start putting those lovely yellow 'whoops' stickers on, gradually up until closing time the reductions get bigger (although the reduced products get less), about half an hour before closing you can often get freshly baked bread, fresh fruit & veg, etc for sometimes just a few pence an item. The fruit & veg is sold on its sell by date, but the use by date is about 2 days later.

I buy enough bread to last me about 2 weeks and freeze it. The veg I either blanch & freeze or make dishes to freeze, and whilst a lot of fruit doesn't freeze well, the juice does so I juice it and freeze it in washed out milk cartons. If I manage to get a nice chunk of reduced cheese, I grate it and freeze it too...very handy!

I manage to eat very well on the 'whoopsies'....That's Asda price!

[bearing]

With regards to road tax, Post Office Saving Stamps can be used to pay for road tax, I think each stamp costs £5 so any spare cash can be used to purchase these, makes the burden of paying your road tax a little easier. I used to buy the old DVLA stamps and found them to be a great help come renewal day.

 

They can also be used to pay for other household bills. Click on the link below for more details.

 

Post Office Saving Stamps

[shorty_377]

You siad in the 1st thread that you would be willing to make a copy of your spread sheet that helped you with your finances... is it possible to get a copy of that???

 

Thanks for the great advise