2009 diary - time to make changes!

Shoe_Gal

I have finally been brave and put my total debt in my signature :eek: - not a pretty number

As my debt is so high l have decided that l have to be more realistic about how long it will take me to pay it off and that l have to live my life whilst l am doing it.

l am paying minimum payments/DCA payments on all these debts every month so my overall debt is decreasing (a total of about £400 per month) so l have decided that my new aim is not to increase my overalll debt - I will still pick one at a time to throw any extra at

So this means l now need to concentrate on budgeting so that l have enough money to pay for everything in cash - car tax, insurance etc as well as holidays and any day-to-day treats such as nails, nights out, clothes and shoes

Shoe_Gal

Part 2 is all about me

I don't like the way l look and feel at the moment so l need to make this more of a priority. I really enjoy my job and want to suceed but l need to be wary of it taking over my life to the detriment of other things. l must learn that sometimes doing an OK job is OK :rolleyes:

My new aims are to lose a pound a week and and exercise twice a week - l know this is achieveable if l make it a priority

I have also freed up a little more money in my budget and l intend to use this towards looking and feeling better - vitamins, beauty products, treatments etc

Project me - l am F Fabulous :A

claire0788

I pick a debt and throw the most money at it aswell Shoe Gal, I like to see that my debt is decreasing quickly at least on 1 !

Karen_30

I like your new plan, I think you'll achieve it and if your debt is coming down by £400 per month you'll be surprised how quickly it'll be gone. Just stick to paying off extra off one of the cards for the rest of this year and i'm sure you'll see a big difference in your total debt balance. If you make this decision and leave it at that then you don't have to worry.

I like your idea of budgeting etc for all the other things like car, holidays etc - maybe set up separate accounts and DD's for these and work out how much you'll need in each to be able to pay for the things that are due by cash and not card.

I'm having a bit of a planning/sorting day - kinda therapy I think OH just called me randomly for a chat which is nice as not been like that for a while....hope we can sort it but at same time ensuring I am doing things for me and sorting myself out.

Only plus side is that have lost a stone in weight - however getting my appetite back now so have to be careful and eat the right things rather than back on the takeaways. Must say though SG it's hard cooking/preparing meals for one....I find myself just getting a pizza or something which is not good :eek:

Right sorry, yapping on here. Wishing you LOTS of luck with your new plan, i'm glad that you are going easier on yourself - little steps are the best way

K xxx

Shoe_Gal

Thanks Karen - and fingers crossed for you and other half

:j on the weightloss - l know the heartbreak diet is not ideal :mad: but every cloud etc :rolleyes: Cooking for one is pants :mad: - and it's sooooooooo easy to go down the unhealthy (and expensive :eek:) pizza/takeaway route - one of my downfalls

lilmissmup

Well done on putting your debt on your signature, I always found it helped me.

Shoe_Gal

lilmissmup wrote: »

Well done on putting your debt on your signature, I always found it helped me.

Have always been too scared in the past but need to face up to things :rolleyes:

lilmissmup

Watching it drop though is great

Lula-Hula

Hi Shoe Gal,

well done on being brave enough to show your sig , as other have said, it really does help to be able to show the reduction each time more gets paid off.

As to part 2 of your new plan - :jAgain, I find that a budget for all expenses keeps me on the right path. This is my first month of having an actual treats budget & although I am loving having some 'me money' because there is a limit on it, I do still have to think about things very carefully.

The essence of succesful debt busting comes from flexibility & being able to adjust expenditure when necessary. What works for one month may not be right a few months later.

We are humans, not robots & you my dear are a truly F Fabulous one :A

Onwards with your current plan & gentle determination

Lula
xx

Karen_30

Hey SG,

How was your day today? Hope you are feeling a little more relaxed about things now xx