Is anyone else just stuck in debt and fed up?

Forgot to tag you

You can actually pay big vet bills off per month aswell in my vets anyway if needs be it’s just pot luck really my jack Russell died a couple of weeks ago he was 16 and never had a issue that’s the reason I’m saying it somif I paid insurance for all that time i would of never claimed would of be better for me to save it every month that’s all

@lauralou91 I would have to save the starting insurance rate for my cat every month for 50 (yes fifty!) years to cover what we've claimed back so far.

And I've underestimated the bills (one at over £4,500 and one at over £1,500).

Of course it’s not a waste of money. It would take someone years and years to save £12k ish which insurance would pay out for someone paying £25-40 a month. I really hate it when I see “advice” like this because it really doesn’t make sense! People just don’t understand how expensive vets bills can be.

Do not cancel with PetPlan to go somewhere cheap. They won't pay out and will consider most tests and some treatment unnecessary. PetPlan via direct claim through your vet will always pay. You may as well cancel than get supermarket insurance.

Your be better off putting the money in a savings account each month just incase rather than paying insurance what if you don’t ever need to claim on it just waste of money !!

Hi. Have you ever thoight about cash stuffing?

It's a method that is really helping me lately to save money and cut back on things I don't need. There's a while community of us. It may help you abit more see where your money is going and save using challanges which makes it fun. I tecord my videos on yourube each week if you wanted to have a look to see what its about. Theres also a great community of us on instagram. Im budgetvlogger_1 if you'd like to take a look. Happy to answer any questions also. My youtube channel

I wouldn't do that. Boiler cover is worth it for an old boiler BG are obligated to keep it going. A boiler's lifespan is 10-15yrs these days, anyone who says different doesn't know what they're talking about. I've had to replace 3 that were that age. Some might last longer but that's pure luck and I understand it's £2k to replace on average now. So unless you have £2k spare it's a big risk.

You seem to have a lot to be grateful for. Instead of focusing on what you 'don't have' focus on what you DO have. A job, income that helps you pay for the roof over your head, your animals. You are paying off debts, well done! This will pass. I've been there, single, mortgage, after bills I had £10/month for clothes/shoes etc. When shoes were £30+/pair. I worked a 9-5 job, an evening job and got a weekend job. It does get better.

Having read your posts I think getting an additional job (which you are doing) is the most sensible solution. You can throw the additional earnings at the debt and once you are debt free things will feel a fair bit easier and you will start to build up a cushion.

If you have good wifi at home, why are you paying so much for 100gb on your phone? Do you really use that much outside of home? I have 5gb and unlimited calls/texts plus some international on a SIM-only deal for less than £5 per month. I save and buy a decent second-hand handset when I need one. Can you look at something like that to save a bit? YT premium is also probably not really needed, just suck up a few adverts. If you're on HD for Netflix you could go down to the standard which will also save a bit, and if you can bear the adverts the basic plan is only £5.99 (£12.99 without adverts).

It actually sounds like you are doing really well with a decent income and not overly high outgoings, plenty of non-essentials, and once the (quite small, relatively) debt is cleared, you'll have the extra £300 back too. Nearly there, you'll be fine soon :-)

Find a good reliable gas engineer and cancel boiler cover, you still have to pay for a call out anyway.

I get my boiler cover from a local gas engineer who I have used for many years. It costs £225 a year and that includes the annual service. Might be worth you shopping around for a better deal.

Personally, I’d keep the boiler cover or change to a new provider. I’ve had 2 condemned boilers in 12 years and managed to get a replacement without a £3k bill. There was a news article recently that said that those living on their own spend £10k a year more than those in a couple on their bills. No wonder we always feel skint. Sounds like you’re doing a great job. Keep those things that are important. Not going out but having Netflix is a great way to keep the spends down but have some decent leisure time. If the gym makes you feel good then keep it. Mental and physical health is important so the gym is probably a good thing. Just because you live on your own doesn’t mean you have to live like a nun. Choose what is right for you. Everyone will always have an opinion but you know what feels right for you. Good luck OP.

It sounds like you're doing really well OP. You have struck a good balance. The orthodontist won't go on for ever and then you'll be that little bit better off. I don't have boiler cover and I pay £65 a year for a full service and gas certificate combined. It would only be £50 for just a service. Boilers can go on for 20 years. I'd keep your cat insurance because your cat is important to you. I'd keep the gym and Netflix because we all have to have something. I'm not sure why you pay for YouTube though. I thought it was free. £30 internet is pretty standard. Your phone is expensive though. Could you not get a Smarty card unlimited is £16 per month and a rolling contract you can cancel at anytime. You are being sensible and prioritising your debt. Living alone is expensive. I know my DS who is 30 lives alone tends to only go out once a week to eat and once for a drink with friends. He budgets well too. Do you not have life insurance? I pay him to move back into my home and look after my cats and dogs when we are on holiday. I fill up freezer and fridge before I go so he doesn't have to buy any food too. Could you pet sit at all?

Manipulate all the deals that you can e.g. take advantage of financial incentives to change bank, register with Quidco etc. With Quidco, I get paid cashback for using websites that I would use anyway. Every time I need to renew car, house and pet insurance, I go via Quidco (either their service or choose from a selection of suppliers e.g. Confused.com) I earn £35 or more each time and it soon adds up!

@Behaveyourself88 older lady speaks sense.

So long as you have your boiler serviced every year I think insurance could be unnecessary.

Older lady here and I’ve owned and run a home completely on my own for the last 48 years so have experience of several things that have gone wrong over the years. If I was you I’d definitely keep the pet insurance as it’s Sod’s Law something will go wrong with your cat if you have no insurance for it, it did with me and taught me a huge lesson! Boiler insurance I’m sure you can get cheaper elsewhere but you might have to wait until your contract has run out. We had a new boiler 2 years ago and got the cheapest at £2.500 so depends on whether you have that cash in savings, if you haven’t my advice would be to either keep an insurance as a call out alone with an engineer in the South East of UK is at least £80 just to look. Personally I’d advise against using your credit card as there will always be a month where you think it’s ok but then don’t pay it off and that is the start of a slippery slope of being forever in debt. If you’re stuck with too much debt I’d advise calling Stepchange charity to see what your options are.
there may be other ways for you to make extra money for holidays, clothes etc by buying clothes from a car boot/ charity shop and selling for a profit on Vinted, Depop etc or advertising babysitting one or 2 nights a week locally for money etc try thinking outside of the box.
finally remember, your doing good by yourself, you don’t necessarily need a man moving in when you, enjoy your flat, enjoy your space by yourself and be proud of yourself for buying a place on your own. Good luck

My mum had cats for years and none of them ever had a flu jab. She never had vaccinations ever either. None of the cats got cat flu.
the pet instance for dogs covers nothing. I’ve had 1 claim over £1k and after excess and different clauses got £450. It’s now £42 a month now he’s nearly 8 so Yiu remind me I’m going ti cancel it. Waste of money. That said we could afford a bill or two but everything he needed dental and leg cut wasn’t covered or less than excess.
he’s a rescue and if needed extensive treatment I wouldn’t put him through anyways although he really sad. There always another healthy rescue waiting.

Can’t you just be paid cash

I bought all the dog flea and worm stuff in violvet was so much cheaper than pets a home subscription
also never had boiler insurance. Have had to replace an old boiler £3k but large 3 bed detached house, get it serviced yearly and you should get an idea from the engineer when it might need replaced and put that money in a little repairs account so you can use for any house repairs.
dint worry it all be ok and you nearly cleared your debt.
Also cancel Netflix get a cheap deal on now or whatever and just wait your get new cheaper promos from Netflix to get you back

Op from my personal experience I would keep the boiler cover but go for a different provider, usually the manufacturer themselves offer cover which is cheaper than BG and includes an annual service. We have a Vaillant boiler and they offer this. Our boiler is 8years old and the cover costs 50% less than yours.

Single/sole parent and my rent is double and my utility bills are hugely more:( urgh

Don't be miserable and don't have cheap dollops of horrible food.
We have to have some kind of life.