Jo_R's debt-free diary, slow and steady progress!

Jo_R_2

Little list of things to do today:

• [STRIKE]phone Intelligent Finance re: online access as need a code to get in which I haven't got[/STRIKE] got code but found I can't actually access my loan online anymore as it's an old loan (don't ask:rolleyes:)
• [STRIKE]check online banking[/STRIKE] tax credits paid in today - didn't realise which made me think I haven't been using my diary like I should recently *slaps hand and goes to dig out diary still in box that needs unpacking LOL*
• phone BT about direct debit
• buy card for party DD1 going to tomorrow
• [STRIKE]check ebay to see how items doing as a couple finish tonight [/STRIKE] no bids yet
• [STRIKE]check ebay for bigger clothes for baby as he's growing out of his 3-6 months now - makes sense with him being 6 months old LOL[/STRIKE] got a bargainous bundle being watched and is local so can pickup if win

Jo_R_2

Up late as been playing about with my SOA whilst OH been at pub - complete and devoted internet time for me:D

Need to double check some things before being happy with it. So far am still in the black by £93 but juggling figures about. The surplus gets smaller and smaller the more I am honest with myself about what I spend - I've added stuff like playgroup each week, buying hair dye and other such women's stuff - I keep joking about this but I seriously need two packs of hair dye a month to keep the greys at bay:eek:

I *still* need to get car breakdown and invest in some life assurance. The breakdown at the moment is not a necessity given the car is currently residing on our backyard, but I really do need to sort out life assurance.

I also haven't factored in entertainment but that's because I rarely go out at the moment, although I'm suspecting now baby is sleeping through (hurray!) that may change, but I don't drink really so I'm a cheap night out me - in fact we went out last Saturday for a couple of drinkies and ended up spending more on taxis than we did on drinks!:eek: Nothing frustrates me more than being perfectly sober and having to get a taxi home from a night out, rah!

I also factored in dental treatment. Now, this is a little controversial but although I get my check-ups free, I pay to see the hygienist. I understand I can get this done for free by the dentist (I should say I am on the brink of having gum disease, despite having rather nice teeth, all my own and no fillings) but for the last year or two I have been paying. It's about £29 every four months but havng added it in is making me think I should actually ask to get it under NHS treatment *thinks*

I'm gonna look it over again tomorrow with a clear head (I mean not tired!), juggle it about again then post it when I'm happy with it.

Jo_R_2

Also I'm dealing with the bigger picture, and that's not just getting down in my SOA what I'm spending, but how I actually 'handle' the money each month.

Recently I have opened a savings account, and tonight started the process of switching my ISA with it's very measly rate of interest to another bank with a much better interest rate. In all honesty I probably won't be using either much but they're a place to put my emergency funds and it's part of the process of being more aware of what my money is doing. I have set up a transfer of the emergency fundage amount into my savings account for now.

I now need to open another account, or jar, in which to transfer my funds which I don't necessarily use each month. This includes things like present and Christmas money, clothing spends and car tax, so it doesn't inadvertently get spent on other things. I think I'll do this with my main bank, more for ease of use than anything else - the only thing that worries me with this is if for some reason they decide to take it away to start paying off my overdraft, I don't know the likelihood of that happening

Bit concerned that I seem to have so little leftover - but I suppose in reality I should be relieved that everything I 'need' money for is being accounted for and that amount leftover truly is mine to do what I wish with - ie divide it up between pocket money and overpayments - still don't think I can get away with not having 'pocket money'.

Good news though is that having investigated my debt amounts outstanding, I have been able to reduce the loan amount considerably as outlined in my SOA - in fact I owe a good £3000 less than I had estimated, and following on from this, once my printer cartridge finally arrives in the post, I can print out and send off the letter to start the ball rolling with reclaiming my PPI from this loan.

As mentioned in a previous post, my final council tax overpayment of £36 will come out on 1st September, then I will make a payment to cover the amount outstanding (I think about £14) then that is that overpayment finished! Can't wait to take that off my SOA:j

Then as soon as that's done the £36 is going towards my cc. I'm going to (I think I've said this not long ago too) add that amount to the amount of the minimum payment to my cc this next month which is £51, so we're looking at repaying £87 each month, plus any extra amassed from ebay (which tbh hasn't been making me much this last two months) but I'll keep plodding away at it! This £87 means I can pay off the cc in 39 months as opposed to 466 months :eek: Hopefully chucking some of the surplus as it as well will mean it shouldn't be as long as that anyway.

Anyway off to bed for me - at least now I've written this down I have somewhere to refer back to as my memory can be terrible at times! So to do tomorrow:

• set up account to transfer monthly funds to
• check online banking
• phone BT again about bb billing and monthly DD amount to clarify arrangement

Keeping_Positive

in fact I owe a good £3000 less than I had estimated

Great news.

Admitting true spends on an SOA is hard but worth while. Ref the hygeinist could you cut it back every six months to start with? The cost of filling etc would outweigh savings so I dont think spending a bit on the tooth care is that bad.

bevan840

Hi Jo

Sorry I'm a little late, I've emailed it today for you if you have any problems let me know, might be quicker to use email at the moment as getting on MSE at the moment is a bit hit and miss depending on how I'm doing, although DH is home tonight Wahoo!!!!! So will be able to get to do most of the normal chores this week, dishes, cooking etc

Hope your ok
Sal xxx

Jo_R_2

Just been looking at spreadsheets and they're straining my brain so going to put them away until tomorrow I think!

Having a conversation with OH earlier. Good and 'bad' - was extolling the benefits of knowing what's going on with my money, but the flipside is that realistically any kind of wedding we want that's anything even a step above a basic register office wedding is going to mean waiting a good four years. I know it's not the end of the world and of course I don't want to get into debt over a wedding but I sooooooo want to be married - and being honest I DO want more than a basic wedding - but even looking saving up 1k is something crazy given the amount of debt I still have

It's looking more and more like I shall be job searching very soon if we want anything more than a basic standard of living. I'm not materialistic at ALL - having 'stuff' doesn't bother me all that much. The things I want are more to do with security - buffer zone for unexpected expenses, buying our own house, savings for us and the kids - and quality time - holidays or weekends away for me and OH and the kids, and it's going to take us a very long time.

Of course I am working towards doing my midwifery training in the next couple of years, but in the interim working would really help push things along, and as we have quite a lot of support from my parents and OH's mum with the kids, I could realistically be looking at working a couple of days at least without incurring much in terms of paying for childcare - all I have to do as well is work out what hours and salary would mean we were better off rather than just breaking even iyswim. It's something we've been talking about anyways!

List of things to do:

• phone BT re: direct debit amount
• phone Eon re: changeover of account as don't know what DD will be set at yet
• check Tiscali billing online as expecting final bill from old house
• phone Tesco re: credit card offers - they did have a good life of balance offer on but I suspect because they took so long to send me a new card that the offer may have finished now
• make opticians appointment for contact lens check
• phone Tesco Clubcard to load voucher points back onto account (have a few that expire at the end of August)
• do online shop

Better get that shop done - we're running low on foodage - having DD1 off school means kids are eating me out of house and home!:eek:

Jo_R_2

• phone BT re: direct debit amount
• phone Eon re: changeover of account as don't know what DD will be set at yet
• check Tiscali billing online as expecting final bill from old house won't let me long in online anymore so just awaiting final bill which should be going to ex
• phone Tesco re: credit card offers - they did have a good life of balance offer on but I suspect because they took so long to send me a new card that the offer may have finished now similar offer of 6.9% life of balance so taken that up - will detail tomorrow
• make opticians appointment for contact lens check done
• phone Tesco Clubcard to load voucher points back onto account (have a few that expire at the end of August)
• do online shop done

Spreadsheets still scrambling my brain - probs good never did above GCSE Maths LOL!



So refined list:

• phone BT re: direct debit amount
• phone Eon re: changeover of account as don't know what DD will be set at yet
• phone Tesco Clubcard to load voucher points back onto account (have a few that expire at the end of August) and also to change address as vouchers being redirected from old house
• print out and post PPI reclaim letter
• make appointment for DD2 at hospital as needs blood tests, hopefully nothing too bad but have to make appointment rather than drop in as appts. needed at children's hospital

May add things tomorrow but my brain is failing to work right now, as are my poor tired eyes!

Keeping_Positive

Sleep tight xx

Im off to bed in a mo

Jo_R_2

• phone BT re: direct debit amount done - £16 per month from October 1st - still not convinced I've got the deal they said I could have but need to sit down with my notes and work it out before I go barging in LOL!
• phone Eon re: changeover of account as don't know what DD will be set at yet done - set at £73 for joint gas and elec - expected it to be more as this new house is bigger than last one (3 beds as opposed to 2 and more rooms downstairs) - and want to keep on top of bill - need to look at elec usage and start using night rates more methinks
• phone Tesco Clubcard to load voucher points back onto account (have a few that expire at the end of August) and also to change address as vouchers being redirected from old house
• print out and post PPI reclaim letter
• make appointment for DD2 at hospital as needs blood tests, hopefully nothing too bad but have to make appointment rather than drop in as appts. needed at children's hospital done for next week

So only two things left - going to print out letter when done here House is v. quiet as DDs at my parents and baby still asleep so trying to get money stuff done now.

Being super-organised with accounts as I feel this is where my plans come undone and I have trouble tracking money. Am now opening a new basic account in which to transfer my other spends (clothing, Christmas and presents) to control with a debit card, then am going to stash away anything car-related in a separate account.

Pocket money I haven't decided on yet whether to use in cash or keep in an account, account would be handy as I sometimes like to buy bits online but taking it a step at a time or else I'll have an array of accounts all over the place LOL!



Anyway so for today (yet ANOTHER list!):

• phone Tesco Clubcard to load voucher points back onto account (have a few that expire at the end of August) and also to change address as vouchers being redirected from old house
• print out and post PPI reclaim letter
• fill in and send off forms for transferring ISA
• phone Co-op about opening new basic current account

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Jo_R wrote: »

• phone Eon re: changeover of account as don't know what DD will be set at yet done - set at £73 for joint gas and elec - expected it to be more as this new house is bigger than last one (3 beds as opposed to 2 and more rooms downstairs) - and want to keep on top of bill - need to look at elec usage and start using night rates more methinks

Hi Jo

Looks like you are making great progress already with the money saving. Thought I might be able to help a little with a few tips about your energy usage.

Make sure you are being charged to accurate meter readings, both the start readings when you moved in and the latest ones.

Check you are on a tariff which offers the best deal for you. You will be receiving discount for paying with a Monthly Direct Debit but there are extra discounts available for managing your account online. This is easy to do. Details are on our website.

Put your details on one of the comparison sites to see how we stack up.

Another good way of cutting bills is by reducing your usage. Sometimes small things like fitting low energy light bulbs or only boiling the amount of water needed can make a significant difference.

We can help with this as we have a team who specialise in assisting customers become energy efficient. Give us a call and ask to speak to our Energy Efficiency team.

Have a list of your appliances and they will go through your usage and advise ways you might cut back. Ask them for a copy of a booklet called 100 ways to save money by saving energy. It is free and contains a lot of good advice to help you reduce usage.

Also check out the interactive house on our website. This has a number of excellent tips to help you cut back. :cool:

Sounds as though you have an Economy 7 meter. Make sure you use this to your advantage by having as many appliances on at night as possible.

Don't worry if this is not possible as we can easily switch you to an unrestricted tariff. We do not need to change the meter just the tariff. We add the day and night together and charge all at daytime rates.

Hope this is useful. Give me shout if you need any more info/advice. Always happy to help.

Good luck with the money saving.

Malc