Originally Posted by aimee-lou

Natasha - welcome I've added you onto the list If you have a date in mind that you'd like to have stuff paid off by let me know.

That Santander one should definitely be your first target. £150 is tantalisingly close. One little thing, you mentioned take-aways. My hubby and I now do 'fast food friday'. We used to buy takeaways once a week pretty much, now we choose a different 'fast food' and cook it at home on a Friday evening. Really good fun and a fraction of the cost. You could then put the normal takeaway money in a jar and after a few weeks you'll have enough to get rid! Then that money would then go twards the other debts to get paid. It's a spiral you see and it's addictive lol

You OH needs to learn how good UK holidays are!!! Having not been on a proper holiday since before Earl was born this year we are going to Cornwall for 2 weeks in a large caravan for the same cost as a week in a cheap hotel abroad. We've gone for a couple of rungs up the comfort scale this time, but could easily have cut the cost by at least another £200. Hoseasons and things do a half term deals where you get 4 nights in a caravan or chalet for £99! Who could grumble at that?! I've never done the Sun vouchers but my neighbour has done the past 2 years and she said it's pretty good choice wise. To be honest, with small children, as long as it's got a playground and a couple of places like the beach and arcades, it's a winner in my book!

Wonga are the best of the bad bunch. We used them last year when you got into trouble and we had to extend the term twice in order to pay it off. Cost us more in the long run, but at least we got clear.

Thanks for joining everyone. I'm actually very excited about this year. Yes, ok, it's going to be hard work, but I'm determined to achieve my goals. Keep up the PMA everyone xxxx

Originally Posted by lau86

Hi, I have been stalking a bit and would like to join? I really dislike admitting to myself how much debt were in!!
We are at that stage now where things are not too tight and were in the repayment stage rather than the build it up stage and that's where I'd like it to stay. My debts are around £8000 from a credit card and old student loan, I pay off around £180 per month to those at the moment. I also have a £2000 overdraft but just trying to prioritise the debt at the moment. I don't know what kind of state hubbies finances are in either but I suspect not great. We pay our bills together but apart from that everything is separate. I think now is the time to discuss combining all our money, salary and debts and each just have a bit of spending money. I get the feeling this is how most couples work?
Anyway thanks for reading I was just thinking aloud!
So I guess my goal for this year is continue to chip away at the debt £180 a month and not build up more debt whilst on mat leave.

Originally Posted by Zizzle

Ladies, to get to my target iv budgeted £100 a week on food shopping etc. This means I can save a good chunk and pay a good amount of debts off at the same time. Any cheap recipe ideas? I spend too much at the mo!

Originally Posted by Zizzle

Two adults and a 4 year old (id like to include DS school dinner money in that (£11). My problem is I do shopping daily... Works out so much more expensive.

I need a new slow cooker, I went to get ours out of the cupboard and dropped and smashed the lid might ask for one from my dad for my birthday!