Debt-Free? Where do I sign???

FeeFee

Hi Tixy

I have a water meter but I think I need to get it checked - just had a bill this morning to say monthly payments increasing to £30.10!!!! Use my dishwasher twice a week, washing machine 2-3 times... Shower every day (that ones staying sorry ) wee one has a bath most evenings but not a huge deep one....does seem excessively high...

I go to the hairdressers once every 8 weeks (it costs...wait for it....£146 a pop! £94 colour £56 cut.) My hairdresser is so good that she's been promoted 4 times since I've been going (started at £90 for the lot) and it just keeps going up. Need all the woven highlights to cover serious grey issues....but know I can get it cheaper just have to be brave and try someone new...somebody pass the sedatives..

Thanks for the advice :A

beanielou

OMG £146 for your hair.
Im so glad I was sitting down.

FeeFee

I know it's a shocker isn't it? :eek:
Hard to justify if I was loaded, Impossible to justify sitting on almost 7K debt!!

I have taken the first brave step and cancelled my next appointment this morning. The scary bit for me is going to be finding a new hairdresser - I get serious heebiejeebies

May just have to start wearing hats...a lot... indoors...in summer....:rotfl:

jayss

Dye it at home for a bit, you dont really need woven highlights and home options are not so bad really, then you can just spend on the cutting.

Is a good incentive to get the debt down :rotfl:

Tixy

£146 is a lot - but you know that. If you really are too scared to go elsewhere - and I know how you feel about this -maybe try going to a junior hairdresser at the salon and asking your current hairdresser to explain your cut to her. That way you'll have some continuity and reduce the cost (presumable back to £90 or so).

Also can I just point out (and this is meant in a friendly, helpful way - not being patronising) that £146 every 8weeks is actually £79 per month. I know its not a lot more than on you SOA but if there are other similar items these could account for some of the missing surplus. For a budget to work costs need to be annualised and then divided by 12 (a common mistake by people is to multipy a weekly cost by 4, forgetting that they have nothing budgeted for the additional 4 weeks of the year).

EDIT - Just seen your last post - well done you. Im sure hats are 'in' this year :rotfl:

angelflower_2

with your surplus, if you wanted to spend the money on your hair I dont think thats the worst thing you could do so dont beat yourself up about it. I would just try and increase the time between cuts as said previously and look at making adjustments elsewhere. (or you could join a challenge where you have to make the extra this cost each month ie make £10 a day challenge threads)

I would concentrate on things like your groceries etc to see if this is where you could be overspending. I gave myself a budget of £140 this month and its killing me! Cupboards/Freezer has never been so bare. Spending diary I think could be the most effective thing for you over the next 30-60 days to see exactly where you could save.

Well done on progress so far! (and welcome to the mad house!!)

catherine_h_2

Hi FeeFee
Crikey.....How much on hair:eek: Is there a nice local hairdressers nearby?? I used to pay around £50 just for a cut and blowdry....now at the local 'nobigname' hairdressers its £15 at the most:D:D:D and tbh shes better than the other place........although i did have the same worries as you to begin with, was petrified I'd end up with a bowl cut:rotfl:

I second checking comparison sites for insurances and also Uswitch for utilities(if Landlord is ok with it) although theres a few insurance companies that don't use those sites, like direct line so worth checking those individually too....bit of a ball ache but worth it;)

Would you be willing to cut down/get rid of charity payments???? It would save you £120 per year and you can still contribute to charity by taking old/unused items to charity shops.

Whats the other asset at £5000???(If you don't mind me asking:p) Could it be worth getting rid of?? Would wipe out most of your debt that way!!! A nice idea but understand it might not be possible:D

To be honest, you're SOA isnt too bad:j And I bet you could be df by xmas........so long as you stop those haircuts:rotfl:
Spending diary is definitely the way to go, it's amazing how much you can fritter away! It makes you put things back on the shelf too coz you know you've got that little book to answer to!:o I tell you my Dh is less critical than that book is:rotfl:

Anyways I've rambled a bit here, sorry! You're on the right tracks and keep going the way you are you'll have no trouble:D:D

FeeFee

Once again thanks so much for all the good advice. The Salon has a training school attached - I am going to enquire about trainee cut / colour sessions, would actually prefer to have a trainee set loose on me with my trusted hairdresser supervising than go through the trauma of going to a new person (not entirely rational I know )

Its hard to explain how twitchy I get about it - when my last hairdresser left the area I was distraught. I did my own colours for a bit but eventually it was so shocking that I had to find someone new. My friend recommended my current hairdresser - she has since left because its too expensive!! :T

Hope I'll be as brave about it when its due (four weeks) :rolleyes:

Spending Diary will reveal all - ouch!!

zigmeister

Good luck with the changing of the hairdresser! I think the trainee idea with your hairdresser supervising is a good idea

I have tried a fair few and only just found one I like. I have curly hair and wanted a blunt fringe and so when I found a hairdresser who would do it, I stuck with her! Only problem was it was costing £45 a go, which when you're a student is ridiculous! So I found someone else who does it and gives me student discount :T

I also wish I could cut my own fringe though cuz that would save money!

tyllwyd

You know what, I don't agree with the others - you've got (in theory at least) £460 a month 'spare' every month, even with your £70 haircut. If you are going to have colour done, it is going to cost a lot anywhere, so you aren't going to save the full amount. So if that is your treat to yourself and you can afford it, why not keep on with it! I'm sure there are other places you can save the money without noticing, so if you are happy with your hairdresser, make that your luxury that you won't give up.