We have, on paper, a reasonable income (DH works FT and I work PT and between us we bring home net £2250 a month, plus £130 CTB and £240 TCs).
However, we have a big mortgage, a car loan, a huge fuel bill and childcare for two children to pay out of that. I have a massive overdraft and max it out each month, two credit cards (about £2000 in total) and I don't even think about the student loan (it disappears with tax so I don't even see it!). We have no spare cash each month, by the time I have paid professional fees, car repairs/maintenance, various bills etc there's nothing left! We spend less than £200 a month on groceries/nappies etc and never have holidays. We do visit family 3 or 4 times a year but there are no accommodation costs with these visits and the travel costs equate with what DH would spend on fuel if he was travelling to work. Our house is shabby and unkempt but we can't afford to do anything with it. I have no clothes - spend about £100 a year in total between charity shops and supermarkets so everything's washed out and holey. It's just depressing.
I know people are much, much worse off than us - our income is IMO very good - but we clearly can't go on and on like this, with the credit cards creeping up each year.
DS starts school after the summer which will save us a little in childcare costs but I can't see it making much difference - we might add less to the card but I can't see us paying much off it.
Stories of recovery and optimism much appreciated!
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Can I please ask those who have sailed close to the wind financially, exactly how bad did it get and when did things improve?
17 replies
poachedeggs · 12/06/2012 15:30
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