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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:56

Sorry forgot to include CT this month, already paid for this year but as of April will be £100pcm plus £100 service charge for my flat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:57

I will hopefully move in with my boyfriend in a few months' time, that will reduce my outgoings a lot but I don't want to suggest it just for that.

OP posts:
discdiscsnap · 18/02/2025 14:58

How much do you earn?
Can you consolidate your debt? Is it 0%?

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:58

The pet plan and insurance include a lot and I have a very good insurance deal for my cat, in the worst case scenario.

OP posts:
MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 18/02/2025 14:59

😮 I live alone and my mortgage is three times that! If you can afford to pay for TV and the gym and have pets (I have none of these things) you don't seem that badly off.

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 14:59

discdiscsnap · 18/02/2025 14:58

How much do you earn?
Can you consolidate your debt? Is it 0%?

Ive earned £29.5k up until this month, as of next month with tutoring if it hopefully lasts it'll work out as around £30-31k a year.

OP posts:
discdiscsnap · 18/02/2025 15:00

What does it work out per month after tax/pension?

Original poster
Catsarekings123 · 18/02/2025 15:01

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 18/02/2025 14:59

😮 I live alone and my mortgage is three times that! If you can afford to pay for TV and the gym and have pets (I have none of these things) you don't seem that badly off.

It depends how much you earn? My mortgage is that much because my flat is the size of a shoebox and needs work doing.

OP posts:
876543A · 18/02/2025 15:03

I personally have never paid for boiler cover - never considered it necessary.
I've got a good local tradesman who comes pretty quickly if ever I've needed him and has replaced a few parts over the years, but they've not been massively expensive.

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:
CharSiu · 18/02/2025 15:03

I have never had boiler cover, I understand replacing a boiler is expensive but I just pay 55 per year for a service. I think in the past they were a lot less reliable.

I do not have pet insurance, I personally would never put an animal through an extensive course of treatment when they have no comprehension of what’s going on.

The orthodontic treatment will end, how many more months is this expected to go on for? How long before the debt is paid off because that is obviously your main problem.

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 15:05

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:
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.

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.

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:
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:
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.

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?

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 15:14

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.

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:
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 15:16

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

OP posts:
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.

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