Handbags & Gladrags – Confessions of a Recovering Spendaholic

Swinstie73

Hi Kerfuffle,

You're right, going through my statements will just depress me. I found old statements a couple of months ago and realised with despair that in one year I had 6 credit cards on the go! Found an old notebook tonight also where I used to note all my debt/payments, I was at a staggering £25K+ at one point, not sure when but at least 4 or so years ago. I remember getting money on my mortgage to getting double glazing etc., and getting extra to 'pay-off' a loan. Wish I'd had my LBM back then, BUT I'm in a better place now, mortgage is fairly low and if I sold on I would make a profit to clear my debt completely, so at least I won't have negative equity going against me.

Anyway, off work Friday and next Monday so need to get my plans in action, so that a) I won't sit doing nothing, i.e. watching tv all day, or b) spending money un-necessarily.

Away to find my ticker now, could be a while.....

Swinstie73

Totals at 1 Sept (last month)

£4,512 - Loan
£4,400 - CC1
£50 - CC2
£39 - Catalogue = £9,001

Totals at 1 Oct (once paid that is)

£4,366 - Loan
£4,050 - CC1
£64 - CC2
£20 - Catalogue = £8,500

If I keep to my original plan of being debt free by Sept 2010 (12 mths), I will need to pay/save up to pay off loan £710 per month, this seems a bit un-doable, but if I extend to Dec 2010 (15 mths) which is the longest I want to stretch, it will be just under £570 per month, considering I'm currently paying about £545 (approx) this seems very achievable. I cannot wait to get this paid off.

Will need to get to the bank on Saturday to open a savings account, the one I seen online which I thought was ok, you can't lift any money at all in a year, so will need to discuss a suitable account. Desperate to get my 0% credit card applied for too, but really need a 13 month one, so don't want to apply too soon, or leave it too late!

Ok, ticker time, will be happy if it's over 40%

Swinstie73

:j:j:j

It's over 40%, yeah! Calculated it til the end of the year and if I only paid £500 per month, i.e. another £1500 (without adding to it) I will be at 52% paid . So looking forward to that!




Ok, have tired myself out with excitement, so off to bed shortly, or I'll be on here all night. Nite all x

Kerfuffle

Hi Swinstie,

well done on achieving over 40%, I'm glad you did it, that should certainly give you a boost!

Paying 750pounds off a month does seem very high, and the 570pounds much more achievable, so I'd extend the time frame and aim for Dec 2010, because it's a goal that you feel is achievable. As the 750pounds is so high you're more likely to fail and that won't do your moral any good, set yourself at a lower achievable target, and cut yourself some slack.

And then just think, once you've paid the debt off, the rate at which your savings will accrue will be so exciting you'll be high on life.

I'm really pleased that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Toodles.

Sun_Addict

Well done Swinstie. You're right to go for the £570 it's only a difference of 3 months. No point overstretching yourself. Go for it!! :j

savingholmes

Hi Swinstie - I think you have as many excuses for your spending as me! Perhaps you need to read back over some of what you have written and think about how many times you say - but that's okay, it was justified etc

Anyway teacher moment over - glad you are doing okay

Swinstie73

savingholmes wrote: »

Hi Swinstie - I think you have as many excuses for your spending as me! Perhaps you need to read back over some of what you have written and think about how many times you say - but that's okay, it was justified etc

Anyway teacher moment over - glad you are doing okay

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I know SH and that's where I'm hoping my I Need or I Want lists will kick in, once I actually write them that is. I also need to update my toiletry list, printed that off at work today, and do a list for what needs done around the house i.e. small repairs, and a food shopping list. I haven't been near the supermarket for over 2 weeks now, but will need to go tomorrow. I also need to buy a rake and a stiff brush for the garden BUT will borrow one (as garden only needs done once before the winter) and buy one next year, it's not something I need right this minute.

Just took home-made soup and a bread roll out the freezer for lunch tomorrow, having French toast (again) to use up some bread, for dinner tonight, tomorrow night will be a Chinese, either halved with OH or I will eat half and keep half for lunch on Saturday, if I buy a full one. It's been ok on the food front this month but I really need to start my budget again from tomorrow (pay-day) as the last 2 months haven't worked the holidays spanned them and made budgetting complicated.

Hope everyone is well, gonna sign off for now cos I am starving x

savingholmes

hi Swinstie - don't forget freecycle for household items you want... I've had a few things off there this year

Kerfuffle

Hi Swinstie,

Swinstie73 wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:I really need to start my budget again from tomorrow (pay-day) as the last 2 months haven't worked the holidays spanned them and made budgetting complicated

Same here, I've had house guests for 3 weeks and whilst I don't think I've overspent in particular as they've given me money and we've all paid half when we've gone anywhere, it's just all got a little too complicated to work out exactly, and I don't want to appear miserly working it all out when they are around. So I'll draw a line under September and start again in October. I'll cross my fingers for me and for you and hope this next month works out ok for us both.

Have you looked at the top threads in this week's e-mail, one is all about planners and journals, as you've mentioned your various lists I thought it may be something you'd be interested in looking at. Sorry I can't do links (only cos I've never tried).

Swinstie73

Hi Kerfuffle,

Couldn't find that thread you mentioned but it sounded interesting, will have another look.

Well September weekend is over and back to work tomorrow. Haven't spent too much, nothing on Friday as OH bought the Chinese (he had won some money) and also paid for drinks at the pub (as well as a bottle of wine - he is too generous). He also bought lunch on Saturday, we went to the pictures which was free as we had tickets (already bought and paid for ages ago), no popcorn as were still stuffed from lunch. Had dinner out, only £10 each, didn't go to the pub on Saturday as I had a headache hanging on me ALL day!

Sunday we went shopping, I got him a cardigan for Christmas, and he got me one, only problem was I ended up with a Debenhams card :eek:. Not all bad news, as I will pay if off when the bill comes in, and also saved 30%, which was the only reason I took it.

I have only ever had a DP card, which I paid off in full and cancelled so it's not a problem, OH is paying me anyway as it was my cardi that was bought.

Also had a financial review at my bank on Friday where I opened up another savings account, one I can't touch til next September, which is ideal as it'll then be used to pay off my loan. I applied for my next 0% credit card too and was accepted, it's only for 9 months so I will need to pay £350/month in order to clear it but I think I can manage. Don't need to BT til November but get 90 days to do the transfer. Might be over-stretching myself this month but will be ok (I think). So, all in all a good weekend.

Got stuff for lunches this week too and have made some cherry and coconut scones, they are delish if I do say so myself (ate 4 just to be sure). Sounds really greedy but they were small scones, got 12 even though halved the ingredients (need to buy more flour).

Well off to bed as need to be up early to get gym stuff sorted, can't be bothered doing it now. Nite all x