Joining the club

pandapaws

£500 to move a meter? Daylight robbery! I remember being quoted something similar years ago to get a gas meter moved (it was directly over the bath where a shower was going), so I told them to shove it, and just to disconnect the gas supply from the flat altogether instead. A prime case of cutting off nose to spite face really, but it got rid of the meter for no cost. Can't really do that with the leccy though, can you?!

DonnyGal, thanks for that - will PM you as I'm desperate for any caravan info at the moment.

Sunboy, if you're still reading this diary... it's hard to say when exactly I realised that we had a problem. In fact, we still don't really have a problem, just a ridiculously large amount of debt, but we pay it easily enough, overpay when we can and still have plenty to live on. Ours built up and it grew from a little niggle into a major niggle until I found this site and decided to tackle it. Tho I'm not doing very well, but it's fun trying. I'd say definitely get all your numbers together and see where you stand. Good luck!

the_drifter

Good month overall. Also do not need to repay family off yet, so still saving on the interest.

Summer always an unusual time as there is always some unplanned expense or unexpected plans - though weather not looking too promising is it!

PP - the meter was only the half of it - had an electrician look at the proposed location for the toilet and he said the fuse box would also need to be moved and rewiring may also be needed - cost just adding up! Will need to be done soon I think though

sunboy

Hi,

Thanks for contributing. I am still reading this thread, and I took out my credit card bills today (shock horror!) and bank statements, so I guess that's progress!
A slightly different question though; how do you know when somebody responds to this thread? It would be handy rather than forgetting about it then logging in a few weeks later!

Thanks,

Sunboy

the_drifter

sunboy wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for contributing. I am still reading this thread, and I took out my credit card bills today (shock horror!) and bank statements, so I guess that's progress!
A slightly different question though; how do you know when somebody responds to this thread? It would be handy rather than forgetting about it then logging in a few weeks later!

Thanks,

Sunboy

thanks for following Sunboy.

at the top of the page you will see a tab called thread tools. Choose the subscribe option. In future when you come to the site, there is a quick links drop down on the menu above. There you can go straight to your subscribed threads and it will be highlighted if there is a new response.

You have made a good start.

What I did was in a spreadsheet list all my CCs, debts etc and note down the APRs. First step was then trying to move things to lowest APRs.

Second step was looking at my spending. I kept a daily spend diary. Managed to keep it up for about 3/4 months but it was enough to get an understanding of my spendinf pattern and identify where to cut down. I now have a rough budget I allow myself and think it as a plus if I get below that. I am lucky enough that if I kept to that I can still meet my min pmts and therefore continue to reduce my debt, though I am trying to do things on top to speed things up.

the_drifter

Got quite a bit in overtime coming through this month, which is a good thing as had a few expenses crop up with the car and all. Means I should be breaking £80k come the end of the month.

some friends are planning a trip to NY and trying to get me to go along. Trying to figure out how that would fit in my budget!

the_drifter

Well managed to break £80k. Happy to have made that target.

Unfortunately this month is already not looking too promising. TV licence, road tax, car insurance. We'll have to see how things go. If I manage to stay still I think it will have been some achievement this month.

Hope everyone is doing well

pandapaws

Congratulations on the 80k barrier breaking! I've broken that one several times over the past couple of years, but never managed the 70k. And as we're about to start some fairly major building work it doesn't look like it'll be anytime soon either.

The trip to NY sounds good, are they the sort of friends who would enjoy holidaying on a budget, or are they likely to want expensive hotels and loads of spending? If they're like-minded it could be great, but if they're big-spenders you'd probably be miserable the whole time!

the_drifter

Well It's been awhile but I am back. In the meantime I have moved apartment, got engaged and still trying to sort out telephone and internet at my new place.

It has been 6 months but only managed to get my debt down another 2k. So overall at around £77k at the moment. Had a few expenses and expect a few in the next few months so have no idea where I will be in 6 months yet. I'll see what happens in the next month or so and have a better idea after that.

I hope everyone is counting those pennies and will catch up soon