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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is anyone else just stuck in debt and fed up?

235 replies

Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:55

I am actually owed a refund of £1500 from something which will be wonderful, but it's just a waiting game and could be another 2 months yet, however I know I will be getting it.

I'm not the worst with money but I'm not the best either. Every month before my wage comes in I calculate everything that's going out that month, and what ill have left.

I live alone. To give a rundown:
Mortgage- £440, boiler cover- £31.50, gas- £35, electric- £35, water not yet been billed as moved in last few months, ongoing orthodontic treatment- £54, petplan and insurance- £43, phone contract and handset- £32, gym- £14, YouTube/netflix- £22, wifi- £24, £300 on clearing debt atm across x2 credit cards and one loan.
Student loan- £30, then it's food, public transport etc.

I know i could cancel the gym but it's working out at around £3.50 a week and benefits me hugely. I don't have any Sky or anything like that and only have netflix so watch a lot of films etc on it.

If anyone sees any areas I could cut back on I'd be willing to take suggestions..I paid £300 alone on my credit card this month but then had an unexpected £190 repair bill.
It's living alone with a mortgage which is stressful as you have to plan for these unexpected emergencies.

I don't get expensive clothes, make up, hair etc. Everything is as cheap as I can make it.
I'm changing jobs next week and will be on 28k base salary and have got an evening job which will be £300 extra a month.
I don't drive, mainly use public transport but occasionally take an Uber, as waiting outside in blistering wind and rain is depressing a lot of the time.
I don't buy expensive food either, do what I can in terms of cheap or free hobbies. Used to do a dance class but now I just do one on YouTube. Will restart running once it warms up next week.

OP posts:
Abitofalark · 18/02/2025 15:39

You could consolidate your two credit card loans - look at MSE website for information on how to do this - balance transfer or something like that, it's called.

I've never had boiler cover and certainly wouldn't have it from British Gas as they are expensive for everything, including boiler installation. However as your boiler is ten years old, have it serviced once a year. I've just had to replace mine at 14 years old but you're not there yet. I'd take a chance on saving on the cover for the next year or two till you get on your feet.

You don't need pet insurance or even a pet. Look at your other electronic bills to see if you are getting the best available deals.

It's difficult living on your own and coping with everything but you are doing well and will come through this tough time.

Pigeonqueen · 18/02/2025 15:34

Keep the pet stuff. I have a cat and the last thing you want is a huge vets bill. If it covers dental (mine does too with pet plan) that’s really good.

We’ve never had boiler cover. Just get someone local who is well recommended to service it once a year (£65 ish). Obviously the risk to this is that it needs something doing to it which you’ll have to cover yourself, or worst case scenario you’d need a new one - Boxt offer monthly payment schemes that would be less than the boiler cover you pay now.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:28

LolaPeony · 18/02/2025 15:27

How much do you typically spend on food per week/month? Is there room to cut down there?

I try to as little as possible, don't buy any alcohol etc. Try to budget £40 a week for food.

OP posts:
LolaPeony · 18/02/2025 15:27

How much do you typically spend on food per week/month? Is there room to cut down there?

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:24

The insurance I've got for her also covers dental treatment which apparently not all of them do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:24

Starlight40 · 18/02/2025 15:21

Also your insurance for your cat seems quite high. How old is your cat? I would have a look on Gocompare and see if you can get it cheaper. It says Petplan and insurance, why is that? We pay £21 for our 3 cats who are 3.

My cat is 7, the insurance is 15 and then I'm with 'pet health club ' with my vets which covers all consultations, flea and worm treatment, vacconations, claw trimming and so on.
Ill have a proper look into it..

OP posts:
Thelittleweasel · 18/02/2025 15:23

@Catsarekings123

The thing that cheered me most was that you got an evening job! For most of our life when we were struggling a bit we both got second jobs. It was somewhat easier then ["cash in hand"] but it was there if we wanted a holiday for example.

Starlight40 · 18/02/2025 15:21

Also your insurance for your cat seems quite high. How old is your cat? I would have a look on Gocompare and see if you can get it cheaper. It says Petplan and insurance, why is that? We pay £21 for our 3 cats who are 3.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:20

Starlight40 · 18/02/2025 15:19

Do you have to pay so much for Netflix? Ours is going up to £5.99. We have adverts but aren't bothered.

Tbh you're right i might just have to deal with the ads and get it

OP posts:
Starlight40 · 18/02/2025 15:19

Do you have to pay so much for Netflix? Ours is going up to £5.99. We have adverts but aren't bothered.

Hellskitchen24 · 18/02/2025 15:19

Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:05

I got insurance for my cat following a friend's experience. Her cat had hyperthyroidism and needed dental treatment and everything combined including blood tests etc. Would work out a couple of grand over the year.

Maybe I should cancel the boiler cover if it's not too late? It's with British gas

I’ve had dogs and cats of various descriptions my entire life. I’ve never insured a cat, ever. If they had an illness or incident that would put me massively in debt, then I’d let them go peacefully. I appreciate not everyone feels this way. But it’s never happened, and most of my cats even my pedigree ones have gone to 16+ years.

My dogs I insure for the first 2-3 years. By then it’s apparent if any long term health conditions develop. Then I cancel it. I get a public liability insurance and it’s it. My current German Shepherd is headed towards double figures and I’ve never made an insurance claim for her.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:16

Phone signal is very weak at mine so not sure I could forego the wifi

OP posts:
Billydavey · 18/02/2025 15:16

Ok something isn’t adding up as all your outgoings (including the council tax and the debt) come to 1161 so if you’re taking home 2k you should have over 800 to cover food and anything else. If that’s right, you are in a pretty good position…

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:14

Hellskitchen24 · 18/02/2025 15:14

That’s not old for a boiler by any stretch of the imagination.

Show quote history

I thought it was for some reason! Shows I've never owned a home before. Going to try and get out of it.

OP posts:
Hellskitchen24 · 18/02/2025 15:14

Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:11

I just got scared incase it broke and I'd have to foot a bill of several grand. It's 10 years old.

That’s not old for a boiler by any stretch of the imagination.

RandomMess · 18/02/2025 15:13

A new boilers be a few thousand. Does the insurance even cover repairing or replacing a 10 year old boiler - I don't think it would?

Hellskitchen24 · 18/02/2025 15:13

Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:55

I am actually owed a refund of £1500 from something which will be wonderful, but it's just a waiting game and could be another 2 months yet, however I know I will be getting it.

I'm not the worst with money but I'm not the best either. Every month before my wage comes in I calculate everything that's going out that month, and what ill have left.

I live alone. To give a rundown:
Mortgage- £440, boiler cover- £31.50, gas- £35, electric- £35, water not yet been billed as moved in last few months, ongoing orthodontic treatment- £54, petplan and insurance- £43, phone contract and handset- £32, gym- £14, YouTube/netflix- £22, wifi- £24, £300 on clearing debt atm across x2 credit cards and one loan.
Student loan- £30, then it's food, public transport etc.

I know i could cancel the gym but it's working out at around £3.50 a week and benefits me hugely. I don't have any Sky or anything like that and only have netflix so watch a lot of films etc on it.

If anyone sees any areas I could cut back on I'd be willing to take suggestions..I paid £300 alone on my credit card this month but then had an unexpected £190 repair bill.
It's living alone with a mortgage which is stressful as you have to plan for these unexpected emergencies.

I don't get expensive clothes, make up, hair etc. Everything is as cheap as I can make it.
I'm changing jobs next week and will be on 28k base salary and have got an evening job which will be £300 extra a month.
I don't drive, mainly use public transport but occasionally take an Uber, as waiting outside in blistering wind and rain is depressing a lot of the time.
I don't buy expensive food either, do what I can in terms of cheap or free hobbies. Used to do a dance class but now I just do one on YouTube. Will restart running once it warms up next week.

Boiler cover - why? Get rid. Pet insurance - get rid unless you are claiming regularly. Who pays for YouTube? Get rid. £300 a month on credit cards is a lot - can you reduce these payments? Orthodontist treatment - when does this finish?

Lassango · 18/02/2025 15:12

British Gas? No wonder it's so expensive. Find a good small company local to service it once a year.

Over £350 a year for 'cover' is a rip off. That could pay for a few services.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:11

I just got scared incase it broke and I'd have to foot a bill of several grand. It's 10 years old.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:11

I have 100GB on my phone.. definitely going to cancel this boiler cover if they'll let me.

OP posts:
Tissuetina · 18/02/2025 15:09

I’ve never had boiler cover. Have owned flats / houses for 29 years and have spent a grand total of £200 on boilers in all that time.

Hemlocked · 18/02/2025 15:09

How much data do you have on your phone contract? I live alone and have no WiFi because I just hotspot from my mobile for £10 per month. This covers all my work zoom calls and streaming.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:05

I got insurance for my cat following a friend's experience. Her cat had hyperthyroidism and needed dental treatment and everything combined including blood tests etc. Would work out a couple of grand over the year.

Maybe I should cancel the boiler cover if it's not too late? It's with British gas

OP posts:
Praying4Peace · 18/02/2025 15:05

You seem to be managing well OP and are not being extravagant.
Running a home on your own is a challenge for most people.
Remember, we all need some colour in our lives!

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:03

About 2k net hopefully with tutoring. Once I get this refund I can pay off my entire credit card, it's just a waiting game.

OP posts: