Fire Fox's Debt-Free in 2009 Diary

Fire_Fox

Hiya everyone!

I have been trying to pretend I don't need to do my own diary but I do ... not in any major trouble, but I am spending as much/ more than I have coming in and I need to nip it in the bud. I am a mature student of healthcare living in my own flat and a DFW if you don't mind!

I was ill a few years ago and got into a little financial difficulty then; it's all paid but I am not sure what is on my credit file, so New Year's resolution number 1 is to find out! Resolution number 2 is to work towards more savings than debts (not to pay them cos the debts are 0% or inflation). Resolution number 3 is to get a hold of non-essential spending.

I have completed a spreadsheet so now I know where the money goes, but it's hard to make it realistic cos I had a cash paying job for two years, so no proper records. I have already cut down the 'essential' spending loads, need to work on the treats! I hope once the savings go out on a regular basis I will naturally cut back as I don't like to be too far into my overdraft.

Started preparing by opening two new savings accounts this week (cashback), and today by defrosting the freezer! Tomorrow I am off to do the weekly shop, using a proper budget rather than just vaguely cutting back. It's hard cos Mr. Fire Fox is obsessed by branded goods, and earns enough not to worry (he works hard, pays his way and saves too).

For any lurkers reading this - it really helps you feel in control to work out a plan, even if it is scary at the same time! Please post up and we can be 'new' to the DFW board together.

Fire_Fox

Asda shop today £87 for two of us, which is less than last week. I have completely filled the newly defrosted freezer, and I intend this shop to last us two full weeks instead of the usual 10 days. Still spent far too much on snacks as Mr. Fire Fox is working 12 hour days, 7 days a week and he often does not want 'proper' food when he gets home.

Also rang Tesco clubcard to sort out my change of address (been here two years now ...) and I have £42 in points vouchers to come in February! MSE advises to spend this away from Tesco itself as you get much more for your points, and I am tempted by the Goldsmiths vouchers as I never would buy myself jewellery.

Fire_Fox

Buildings insurance bill came today so this will be all paid off before the new year starts. Happy about that as now both the buildings and contents insurance are due around the same time - I hope this will mean I keep a lid of my Christmas spending!!

Also calculated my electricity usage over last couple of years and will update when I get my next bill in mid January.
10/06 - 03/07 = 7.5 units per day (just me here then)
11/07 - 02/08 = 11.7 units per day
03/08 - 09/08 = 10.5 units per day.

This winter will be worse cos it's been so cold, but i hope having it in black and white will concentrate the mind a bit. Sorry it's so boring for the reader!

Off to cook the (half price) wild salmon I bought in Asda yesterday, yum!

leo1976

Hello just wanted to welcome you really. It may help to put a statement of affairs (SOA) detailing all of your expenditure. There are soooooooooo many fab peope who have tips and offer good advice. Very best of luck with reducing that debt!!!

Fire_Fox

I can't post an SoA as I have done it on an Excel spreadsheet and all the formatting goes to pot when I post it. Tried going via Word to reformat but that is no better ... :mad:

Fire_Fox

Debts
Service charges.......0%......-2925
Fire escape.............0%......-1100
Tuition fees.............3%.......-2500
Overdraft.................0%........-600
Total...............................-£7125

The service charges have been under dispute for the last two years, but I have to assume I will end up paying something so hence it's listed as a debt but one I am making no effort to pay off at this time.

Savings
Post Office..............3%.......2450
Co-op.....................1%.......2050
A&L cash ISA........4.5%...........0
A&L e-saver.............5%...........0
L&G ISA..................................0
Total................................£4500

I have just opened the last three savings accounts so they are empty until I get all the paperwork and move my savings into them. I intend to max the cash ISA this financial year.

Fire_Fox

Income............Monthly..........Per annum
Partner's Rent..........250...............3000
NHS Salary..............520..............6200
Maintenance Grant...230...............2800
Total...................£1000............£12000

I usually earn more than this as I cover extra hours in the summer, but it's not guaranteed. Really I need another job as my hourly rate is very low.

Essential Outgoings
Rent/ mortgage............0....................0
Service charge..........110...............1300
Ground rent................12.................150
Buildings insurance......7...................85
Contents insurance......4...................50
Council tax..................0.....................0
Electricity..................15.................180
Water meter...............4....................40
TV license..................6....................50
Charity.....................25...................300
Travel.......................50...................600
Food......................125.................1500
Gym membership.......0......................0
Total....................£355...............£4255

We don't have the heating on much at all so this is as low as I can go with electric: have already chosen cheapest supplier. Charity is sponsoring a child in Palestine and I can't think of stopping this.

Non-essentials
Mobile telephone......12...................150
Mobile internet.........15...................180
Supplements...........40....................500
Fitness weekends....25....................300
CPD Courses..........25....................300
Journals..................12....................140
Subscriptions............7......................85
Household...............50....................600
Clothes/ trainers......35.....................420
Socialising..............25.....................300
Christmas...............25.....................300
Haircuts/ colour.......15.....................180
Total...................£285.................£3455

Have already reduced my mobile phone tariff to the minimum. Can't have 'proper' internet package as no Virgin in my area, and BT want me to sign an 18 month contract to reconnect landline. As you can see, I spend a lot on stuff related to my job in fitness/ lifestyle health - this is the new, lower budget!!

leo1976

:j :j :j :j :j :j bumping this up, can anyone offer firefox any advice???

Fire_Fox

Started the big New Year clear out today - my place is a complete tip as I am a shocking hoarder. Cleared out my old receipts folder and went through my 'bits and bobs' box (mostly bus timetables and useful phone numbers). In the latter I found a £10 Boots gift card, £20 Fopp vouchers, stamps and Matalan reward card ... quite a haul!!
:j

Next job is a bag of old mobile phones to charge up and either sell online or swap for Tesco Clubcard points. Then in January the junk room and the store cupboard will be tackled ... Mr. Fire Fox is going away so I am inviting my best mate over for a meal and e-Bay listing night!

Fire_Fox

This week I have transferred a lump sum from a 1% interest account to my new 4.5% cash ISA and set up direct debits to all three new savings accounts (two ISAs and instant access).

Also boxed up three old mobile phones, but not sent as the Post Office had queues out of the door! I am determined to get to £50 in clubcard vouchers by February so that I can exchange them for £200 of jewellery vouchers.

Lastly I have applied for a new job, and have an assessment day in mid January. Not sure if I want the position as it's a maximum of six days a month, on a self employed basis so will interfere with my other work/ college committments.

Fire_Fox

Been out to the sales today ... and spent
£61 on monthly travel pass
£6.50 on three magazines
£15 on a navy sweater
£5 on a navy camisole top
£6 on a fleece for the gym
£6 on a top for the gym.
I am getting really tight, I feel guilty about the sweater as it wasn't in the sale!! :eek:

Am now in the middle of preparing dinner, inspired by the storecupboard thread on the Old Style board: Chinese-style turkey meatballs, brown rice noodles and sweet chilli sauce. I will be using up three limp spring onions, half a wrinkled red pepper, reduced price shittake mushrooms and some ancient frozen sweetcorn!! May come over all Gordon Ramsay in a minute and whizz up garlic, ginger, soy sauce and red chilli using Mr. Fire Fox's new toy, a (horribly expensive) Bamix stick blender. Tommorow evening we will have trout, and need to use up half a red cabbage and two leeks that are on the turn. We are really bad for throwing food away, which is strange cos I hate waste and Mr. Fire Fox is a Chef! :money: