The Harrys debt-free diary

the_harrys

Good point, lucky it was buy one get one free!

Keeping_Positive

Shoes shopping and three kids is a nightmare. Either the £100 in one go or alternatively and forget who I last bought for and then there is the growth spurts!

Definetely room for maneover in the groceries, clothing budgets but what about the birthday/xmas and haircut budgets? Also plan the entertainment a bit more to save? I use tesco vouchers for days out.

It all depends on how quick you want it all gone. I am doing the slower way as its a fair way off and we need to enjoy life. If I cut stuff back to the bone then the dfd will still be years away.

Here is a link to an online spending diary that you can update from your board. It even does charts. http://www.spendingdiary.com/

the_harrys

Thanks for the link KP, the spending diary looks good. It'll be interesting to see where it all goes as quite a bit of my SOA was guesstimated (the "John Lewis" and "M&S" entries on my statements could have covered a multitude of sins!).


My MBNA 0% ends next month so I applied for an HSBC 0% card but it only gave me a £6000 limit. I applied online for a 0% Barclaycard last night to cover another £5000 but after the "you will receive your answer in 60 seconds" message it just came up with a "we need more time" message, so I'm guessing that isn't great news. Time will tell.

I looked into the childcare voucher thing as my husband's work is part of the scheme. I was quite excited as he is a higher rate taxpayer so thought we'd really save some money, but it turns out that the after-school club my children go to is not OFSTED registered (even though it is run at the primary school) so we can't use the vouchers.

This also means that other parents with tax credits etc. can't benefit here which is really frustrating as it's our only option for childcare as we live in the middle of nowehere. Rant over.

Bizarrely I'm quite looking forward to our loan payment going out next week so I can change my signature, that's a first! Anyone else feel that way?

Oh and I've been accepted as proud member 135 in the DFW long-haulers club so no backing out now.

GeorgeUK

Be careful with those applications.

You can usually have about 3 in a 6 month period before your credit score is affected. Too many applications in a short space of time will make you seem desperate for credit and therefore a higher risk.

Are the cards in your name or hubby's? Would it be possible for him to get some new 0% cards? Have you checked your credit files at experian (free if you cancel within 30 days)

the_harrys

Yes, in hindsight I suppose applying for 2 credit cards and a current account in one week was not a great idea, I may need a plan B if our applications are rejected.

The good:
1. Only spent £1.65 today (milk and a paper)
2. Booked a mystery dine for our wedding anniversary (though not sure how romantic OH will think it is if I am timinig how long the food takes to arrive!)
3. Have cooked all meals from scratch so far this week and only spent £55 on food so far (compared with £120+)

The bad:
Had to spend £30 on mouthguard for DS 's rugby yesterday

The ugly:
I have monitored our electricity use over the last week and it currently works out as equivalent to £137 per month :eek: on the new fixed tariff I have signed up to. I have used the tumble drier a lot as it hasn't stopped raining but I think my decision to use the electric immersion heater to save on gas may not have been the right one, more investigation needed I think....

lucielle

You seem to be making progress, buying shoes is a nightmare, we have 4 so know how you feel.
L

the_harrys

Thanks Lucielle.

I'm at the end of my first DFW week and feel so much better and more in control.
So far I have:

1. Changed gas/ elec supplier
2. Successfully got 0% card and new current account paying 8% interest and will pay me £100 (£50 through Quidco and £50 direct) but still waiting to hear about Barclaycard
3. Only spent £75 on food (a £50 reduction on typical week)
4. Went for free meal out with OH (mystery dine: tasted so much better as it was free!)
5.Test drove car (not so money saving but fun!) to decide about company car/ selling mine.

I reckon I've saved the equivalent of around £300 per month so far. Need to think of a plan for Christmas soon as could seriously damage my plans otherwise. I plan to cut back on the food budget even more with the help of all the great ideas on the old style board. There is even someone (Maz) feeding a family of 4 for £20! I would be happy with £60 per week and could use the extra savings for Christmas.

lucielle

Best to try and get a plan in place now before everybody starts to panic buy.
L

the_harrys

Yes, I know you're right.

I think this will be one of the most challenging things to do: my parents/ extended family are all well off and generous (and have no idea of our financial situation) and I don't want to be mean with my presents, especially for the nieces/ nephews. I did suggest to my sister last year that we just spent a maximum £30 on each others' children but she thought that would be a shame and spent at least £75 on each of mine, although they all have plenty of toys already.

I am sure there's plenty of good advice somewhere on the boards, will have a look later. Note to self: save up monthly next year.

Keeping_Positive

The thrift club at work for me has really helped with xmas. How about starting to put a side x amount a week or add xmas bits to the shopping list. Maybe stocking fillers or presents as you see them. With the moneysaving on your grocery budget yu wont notice the difference.

Weldone on week 1, its a great start.