urg's 123 Back to Basics Debt Free Plan

urg123

Another whammy today - I just got on the scales and nearly cried. My weight has gone up masses. I'm gutted. I must admit I haven't been doing enough to deal with this. I need to think about how I can do a few small things to start getting this back on track. One thing I really need to do is to manage my portion sizes.

Had a lovely evening with my uncle and aunt - she cooked a really nice meal - I overate there too!

I am shattered. I am going to try and do a few things to keep the flat a bit tidier and then go to bed.

urg x x

urg123

Just a short, more positive update:

I've had two bits of good news:

The sofa people have admitted that they have messed up. They are going to put it right and will be sending me a cheque for £10. I'll have to use some of the money to check my credit reports. VICTORY :beer:

My second bit of news is that I have passed the coursework element of my module, not by a lot, but enough to pass. Now, if I have passed my exam - I will have passed the course!!! Woo hoo!:j

I have just been working out my shopping list(s) for my mum's birthday party using mysupermarket and my notes from the visit to Costco. I now have three lists!

Talking of lists - I better go and work on my jobs to do. My flylady tasks have been falling down the way side. And then an evening walk for 30 mins - part of the get fit plan. I really need to get moving if I want to look nice for the summer of weddings I have and all the other weddings I have ahead of me.

Oh - I think I have also managed my first NSD of June!

urg x x

urg123

Hi Everyone,

It's been a week since my last post. I thought I'd got back to the goals from the first post.

4. Hold fantastic birthday parties for mum and dad’s 60 birthdays.
Most of my time this week has been taken up with my mum's 60th birthday party. We had a great time and I really feel like I reached one my goals of making sure my mum had a great birhtday. Dad turns 60 later this year so will have to get thinking of what to do for them.

2. Secure the right job for me by 2010.
I checked the regular jobs email yesterday and saw a maternity cover post for a post at work (I had applied and got to the last 2 for for the job). I was a bit miffed as I know that there had been a discussion about me possibly doing the job as a secondment to help me get the experience I need to move to the next level. Seeing that job advertised reminds me of how I don't owe the organisation anything . I really must get on with my goal of getting out of there. I will be applying for a job that closes tomorrow and make a more concerted effort to look for other posts. I hope to apply for a job every week although the market is a bit slow at the moment.

8. Complete tax return by july
I got my provisional tax calculation which comes to £275. I haven't put any money aside so will have to use some of the payments that I would use for debt repayment. My debt free date of December is getting further and further away. I really need to get back on track.

9. Keep a tidy and organised home.
The next job is to get on with getting this flat sorted as I have neglected this completely over the last few days!

Better get on with some chores.

urg x x

Swinstie73

Hi Urg,

Baby steps - you are getting there with some of your goals - sometimes life just gets in the way!

My video (I know, cringing as I type that) broke down the other day, resulting in me going to end up with a £125 bill next month cos I love tv so much I'm getting V+ put in! Works out although costing me a bit now, will be paying the same as paying having Virgin & Sky (long story as to how that worked out)!

Anyway hope having a great weekend! x

urg123

Thanks Swinstie - had a great weekend and am now trying to recover! Mum has had a great birthday.

I'm feeling a bit out of it at the moment. I have been running around like a mad thing for the last couple of weeks and I need some time to take stock.

Not sure where I am moneywise - I haven't had to spend much on food recently as I have been at my parents a lot and have managed to walk away with leftovers and items for the freezer. I may challenge myself to just eat from stores for another week. I have lots of food in the cupboards and freezer. I just need to buy the odd fresh bits so I can take a salad into work.

I also need to get my weight into control - I have gained so much weight over the years. I have a massive sugar addiction and really need to get this under control. I am going to start keeping a food diary again. I also have to confess my chocolate purchase today on the 100 day thread. The challenge is working - I used to eat a bar a day so the four or five blips means that I have got this down to once every 10 days. Much better!

OH and I are trying to get the wedding sorted. I really wanted him to have a look at a potential venue last Sunday but traffic conspired against us. I'm started to get thinking (and possibly worked up) about this next task. I don't know why I am thinking about a long wedding when I have so much debt and have lost one of my income sources. I guess I really want to have the wedding I want and am getting very frustrated that my parents and everyone else is trying to talk me out of some of the ceremonies that I feel are important. Ohh I can feel the stress ... I don't want to turn into a bridezilla!!!!!

Better get off to bed - need to get up to go to the dentist and the whole of London will be gridlocked because of the tube strike!

Back soon

urg x x

Swinstie73

Hi urg,

I swear we are the same person, I was just at the dentist today - nothing required and nothing to pay (not sure why cos it's usually £6 for a check-up)!

Only thing not in my radar is a wedding, not sure OH is into weddings (been married before, him, not me), so I am just happy with being with him long-term. Wouldn't mind a proposal/ring, but not necessarily the wedding if that makes sense!

Well good luck at the dentist tomorrow, nite for now x

urg123

Thanks hon! It's nice to know I have a DFW twin!

Marriage is really important to me. For quite a forward thinking woman, I will not have kids outside of marriage but I have no idea when in my career I would have them!

I can't believe I am on such a downer. Going to shut down and go to sleep and wake up in a better mood!

Hope you are enjoying the new sky+. OH would love me to get it but he's only getting it if he pays for it. I don't watch enough tv!

Good night.

urg x x

Buffythedebtslayer

Just saw your diary hon, sorry you having a bit stressy time at the moment - I hear you (((hugs))).

I wish I had some good advice to offer. THe best I can do is the whole one thing at a time approach. I am going to do that tomorrow.

more hugs and pleasant dreams
xxxBuffyxxx

urg123

Okay,

I need to get back on track. I was working with the spreadsheet last night and there is no way I will debt free by December at the rate I am going. It looks like I'll be about 5K out. I really need to get a plan of action going to make more money to my DFW date.




I have

• started doing some online surveys - I've already got £5 being validated.
• started scratchcards - £4.80 so far
• Got about £130 awaiting payout from cashback sites
• Will be getting £100 for changing bank accounts
• £15 for selling on ebay so far.

I need to:

• find a new lodger
• get a better paying job (got an interview for a job next week)
• look at new ways of making money
• EBay some more - At least 10 items per week
• Keep my own spending in check

Today I am going to

• [STRIKE]close 2 credit card accounts[/STRIKE] I closed one and was told that the other is offering a 0% deal til Jan so need to work out what, if anything, I can transfer across.
• [STRIKE]reduce the limits on 2 more CCs (I need to BT across so can't reduce them too much just yet)[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]List 5 items on ebay[/STRIKE] Well I managed 3!
• [STRIKE]Walk for 30 mins (part of the get healthy plan).[/STRIKE]

Better get moving!

urg x x

urg123

I still haven't got around to managing my food bill. On the whole I am eating from stores in the morning and evening but I have been buying lunch at work. The spending diary has gone out of the window. I am meeting an old colleague for lunch tomorrow and a friend on Wednesday. Need to look for cheap deals.

I also had a letter declining my request for single person's discount for Council Tax so will need to call the council to sort that out. I've not had anyone living here since the beginning of May!

OH and I went to see a possible wedding venue. He 'didn't mind it'! It is the lazy girl's option as it is a venue that I know quite well. I think I will need to find others to make sure that I am making the right choice.

I better get on with some research for the interview I have on Friday. I am meeting with a friend who works there for more information which will be helpful.

small steps ...