Keeping Positive's - Into the new years diary

Keeping_Positive

This is taking over from my old diary here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=761259.

I started that off at the end of Feb and was doing fairly well up until July/August when it all went a bit pear shaped. As a result I now have an overdraft of circa £1000 after the monthly dds have gone out:eek: to add to my consolidation loan of £14058.00 (£223.69 a month until mid 2014 although will be less than this as have paid £1600 off early).

I am 31, work full time, have a stay at home partially disabled OH who looks after our three beautiful kids (DD1 10, DD2 8 and DS 5). There are a few carp things in my life but overall things are good and others are in a worse situation than us. This is why I changed my username to Keeping Positive to try and remind me of the good things. I am a depressive by nature and do battle with moods swings. Coming on here and ranting has really helped over the last few months.

I have had great support from others mainly In Search of Me, Girl Racer and Dizzy Lizzie who have been wonderful:A .

Feel free to pop in anytime. Ill get to the important financial bit in a mo.


UPDATE 28/9 - Moved £900 of overdraft onto a 0% cc until April. New challenge is in sig - save to clear cc and to prepare for unforseen events. I work for a bank and want to have some savings. If they end up not needed they can clear the loan.

Keeping_Positive

Four month budget Sept - Dec

Income: ...............monthly ................four month total
Wages .................£1350 ...................£5400
Child Benefit .........£174 .....................£696
WFTC ..................£144 .....................£576
OH ......................£100 ....................£400
TOTAL ................£1768 ....................£7072

* some of the above a four week figures. I have not rounded up to the monthly figure so that will be a bonus.

Routine Set Outgoings
Rent......................£426......................£1704
Council Tax.............£131......................£524
Gas Electric ............£50........................£200 upped to £90 :eek:
Water (meter)..........£28........................£112
Charity....................£5.........................£20 (may need to cancel)
Health Insurance.......£40.......................£200 (looking to cancel when latest claim goes in see below)
Cancer Insurance........ £6 .....................£24 (pays out in 15 years if no claim)
Telephone .................£30......................£120 (usually £25 ish includes Broadband))
Contents Insurance .....£14.......................£57
SKY...........................£55.......................£220 reduced to £50 amonth so a start
Catalogue .................£50........................£200 nowt due till Nov probably be nearer £80 for 4 months into new year
Loan..........................£224.......................£896
TOTAL........................ £1030..................£4117

BUDGET
Grocery.......................£250......................£1000 struggling £270ish spent sept
Diesel not work.............£50........................£200
Me / OH / Kids..50 each..£150.................£150/£600
TOTAL..........................£450...................£1800

Remaining amount to cover overdraft ..£288...£1155

Dentist, Birthday and Xmas costs to come out of health insurance and £500 thrift club savings due end Nov.

UPDATE 25/9 Have cleared od by a £900+27 fees 0% balance transfer until April. Aim now to save enough to clear this and build savings for the uncertain times. Loan at reasonable rate so not urgent need to overpay.

dizzy_lizzie

Keeping_Positive wrote: »

I have had great support from others mainly In Search of Me, Girl Racer and Dizzy Lizzie who have been wonderful:A .

Hiya, welcome back :wave: and ditto above...:D

Well I'll definately join you in your 'get rid of the overdraft challenge by Christmas' Wendy, as I'm not focussing on anything at the moment that's positive. I want a wood floor too and I'm hoping to fund that from ebay so both challenges will hopefully keep me on the straight and narrow.
It's refreshing to get away on holiday, away from reality, but it is nice to get back home. You sound like you're raring to go and with your new challenge!
Luvz Dizzy x

Keeping_Positive

Thanks Dizzy

Feeling much better now I have a plan was feeling pretty fed up this morning. Still got a lot to do in the week but will deal with that tomorrow.

Cars unpacked from holiday except top box and a food shop done so we have food in the house :T . Got to Mr Ts 10mons before closing and did a mad dash. £46 spent already.

Glad to hear you are joining in I know the OD has been a pain for you thie year after getting debt free. Hopefully we can have a celebratory online drink by the year end.

kbarty

Good luck! I'm paying my overdraft off too and my target date is 22 Jan 09. I was a bit annoyed when I realised earlier today (ok I'm slow!!) that I'm going to be in debt for the whole of 2008 so I'd really like to get it gone by the end of the year if I could. I'm not sure yet if it's realistic, but we'll see.

Keeping_Positive

Hi Kbarty

Looks like you have a good plan in action with the various challenges. I find the grocery one really helpful. I think I have saved £700 in grocery spends in five months alone. I used to spend £400. Just need to keep a curb on the silly spends now.

yellowmonkey

Good luck on your quest. Can I just say that I like your tent in your Avatar . I am after one for next year and something similar would be ideal.

ym

Keeping_Positive

Thanks YM

It is a good tent when up. Loads of space for the family. Its a Royal Nevada 10 almost identical to the Outwell Montana 12.

In_Search_Of_Me

aww hugs for you...welcome to new positve diary. Is going to the doc part of the action plan? Well done on doing the sums...have been avoidant with mine but will soon take the plunge and get accurate figures! We'll get there and great to know that I make a differnce...we'll get there but it sure is tough innit!!

Keeping_Positive

Cheers ISOM

Will see how the next few days go but yeah need to think about seeing the doc again. Brain is not at its best.

In_Search_Of_Me

Hang in there..? lovely hormones...I looked at a blog today and was in floods of tears...did me good to have a good sob but suspect its hormones more than anything else...youve been feeling low for a while so maybe go for a tweak? Hugs for you...how is oh doing?