I had a wobble and I think i need a diary

so_here_we_are

Morning All,

Well here goes, i think this is for me more than anything, to get myself straight and forgive me for going on abit.

I have been on this forum for almost a month now and have quite taken to the DFW and my PAD has been going quite well, but there was something I was holding back, i didn't completely want to bare all as i suppose that would mean admitting exacly what kind of a mess i have got myself into, i kept telling myself that i was going to be ok and there was no need to take stock of everything as somethings just trickle on. I'd had my lightbulb moment but was doing ok.

Then the wobble happened. DING!

My mobile contract was finally up and i could get rid as i don't use it as much as i used to and this would save me £40 a month and i had decided to go PAYG so if i could afford it i could top up but if i couldn't i wouldn't. There for no DD and i was in control. Then i went made and went and paid for an new phone and signed up for an £30 a month 18 month contract putting the cost of the phone and accessories on my CC :mad:. Totaling £200 more debit.

LBM: It was lovely and i loved it and i used it over the weekend but as the weekend wore on it was bothering me, i had given myself more debit and signed up to spend an extra £30 a month that i could do without.

What had i done, why do i keep doing this to myself..... All the hard PADDING and scrimping and saving and cutting costs all blown completely out of the water on an impulse buy that i had to have now - but why do i need it...... I always seem to get this wrong, always falling back into bad habits.

I hadn't been on this site over the weekend and the thought of coming on here and padding and still having extra debt and £30 a month to find - finally it got to me i was feeling so bad about it, it was like i was dirty unclean and that was it, the fone went back the debt was credited back to my CC. - This was the best feeling in the world, i felt clean (i can't really explain it but i felt clean)

So I'm no worse off than i was before i started but how do i stop myself from wobbling when the impulse pops up again.

Result: I have started a diary so you can all be my judge (not in a judging kind of way but) in my head, everytime i buy something could i bare to report back to my secret society of friends.

As you will see from my Sig my debt total, in the next few days i will try to do breakdown of my debts if i can find the link lol.

Thanks for listening and appologies i went on a bit and i hope it all makes sense.

Wish me luck

SHWA

angelpye

Hi SHWA!

Shiney new diary for you - very brave. I ponder having a diary but then talk myself out of it! Well done you and welcome. :j
I should explain I lurk lots and will be lurking here but I post occassionally - usually when something gets me emotionally somewhere (like your thread today).
I am similar to you I think, I get myself on track and then self-sabotage for no real apparent reason most of the time for little splurges on mags, cakes etc, but the times my spends are worse are when I am really low. I can either go on a really big splurge (to me £200 is a pretty good one!) or I just ignore my balance in denial of the takeaways etc. The shame I feel after (and remorse) send me back on track but I fall again eventually. Hence, why no diary because you see I think you are one step ahead you are now telling yourself and the MSE world that this is it - it stops now! Well done again. Me? I have got much better and now only spend money that should go on extra payments (small bits of debt to clear) not any money that is for essential living. Therefore I am still on track but getting there slower and this makes me cross.
Gosh, big explanation to you - just letting you know will subscribe and use you as inspiration and maybe even inspire back occassionally?

Double_Trouble

SHWA

Saw your mention of this on the PAD thread so thought I would pop over and say hello seriously thinking about starting a diary too so you may have inspired me just need a catchy title.

We all wobble sometimes to be debt fee is a long road and we all wander off it at some time but you managed to rescue yours so well done :rotfl:and you will remember this the next time you get tempted. Don't be too hard on yourself we all need treats just not ones that cost £30 a month;) so do give yourself a treat so that life doesn't get miserable we still need to live even when we are in debt.

A diary will help I am sure and something to look back on and see how far you have come when the going gets tough.

I do indeed wish you all the luck but mainly it will be down to hard work and discipline.

DTxx

so_here_we_are

Thanks Angelpye - you nearly made me cry. i do really appreciate your comments and I WILL NOT LET US DOWN! (statement of intent lol)

Also Thanks Double Trouble I will need all your support over the next few months

DF by christmas or as close as..
Heres a questions why does Christmas seem like a lifetime away? Ponder Ponder

angelpye

Ooo look at me two posts in same thread!

You're welcome and the only tears I expect are those of joy as each debt is paid or goal achieved!

I think after reading this I am going to go home and properly sit myself down tonight with what I owe. Maybe give myself a tuffer task with the DFD! I am sure if I could be good it would be Christmas too! I may even report back to you at some point! Good luck and well done on doing your SOA - the experts I am sure will be along to advise.

jayss

Good luck.

You've done pretty well already.

Swinstie73

Hi SHWA,

Well done in starting a diary, it really helps, I was brave and did one too and can see where all my money goes now. In saying that I have recently bought a bag and trainers, but they are going back and I can't wait to get my mitts on the money again.


Good on you taking the phone back, my phone cost me £100 but have had it for 3 years now and I only use PAYG averaging about £10 a month, I hate contracts unless you use your phone all the time. Can you not buy a reasonably cheap mobile and PAYG?

Will subscribe and catch up later.

so_here_we_are

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Hi SHWA,

Well done in starting a diary, it really helps, I was brave and did one too and can see where all my money goes now. In saying that I have recently bought a bag and trainers, but they are going back and I can't wait to get my mitts on the money again.


Good on you taking the phone back, my phone cost me £100 but have had it for 3 years now and I only use PAYG averaging about £10 a month, I hate contracts unless you use your phone all the time. Can you not buy a reasonably cheap mobile and PAYG?

Will subscribe and catch up later.

Ye i have just got a PAYG, - SAY NO TO CONTRACTS LOL. Also that getting your money back is a great feeling

urg123

Hi

It's great that you have a diary - I recently started one and it is inspiring.

Some questions/thoughts for you about your SOA:
Groceries £300 - I know that this includes take-aways etc. Is this for the two of you or just you? You can easily cut this down by £50 by meal planning, restricting take-aways etc.

Your debts - have you found the snowball calculator yet? It's a great tool to help motivate you to get rid of that debt. I have suggested a way to allocate your extra cash.

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Loan...........................5947.33...312...... .6.2
CC1............................1439.12...34....... .19.9
OD.............................2741.24...40....... .1
Friend.........................3667.22...0........ .0 Set £360 aside every month for your monthly payment. If you leave it at 0 you're more likely to use it for other things.
CC2............................400.......10....... .27.9 Pay £100 per month to pay this off. Once you have paid this off use the £100 per month towards another debt - probably CC1
Total unsecured debts..........14194.91..396.......-

Finally, look at ways of upping your income. Sell things on Amazon and Ebay, join some market reserach sites etc.

Hope this is useful.

urg xx

so_here_we_are

urg123 wrote: »

Hi

It's great that you have a diary - I recently started one and it is inspiring.

Some questions/thoughts for you about your SOA:
Groceries £300 - I know that this includes take-aways etc. Is this for the two of you or just you? You can easily cut this down by £50 by meal planning, restricting take-aways etc.

Your debts - have you found the snowball calculator yet? It's a great tool to help motivate you to get rid of that debt. I have suggested a way to allocate your extra cash.

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Loan...........................5947.33...312...... .6.2
CC1............................1439.12...34....... .19.9
OD.............................2741.24...40....... .1
Friend.........................3667.22...0........ .0 Set £360 aside every month for your monthly payment. If you leave it at 0 you're more likely to use it for other things.
CC2............................400.......10....... .27.9 Pay £100 per month to pay this off. Once you have paid this off use the £100 per month towards another debt - probably CC1
Total unsecured debts..........14194.91..396.......-

Finally, look at ways of upping your income. Sell things on Amazon and Ebay, join some market reserach sites etc.

Hope this is useful.

urg xx

Ye groceries is for the 2 of us.

£360, now theres an idea.........

Thanks - ill look into this

so_here_we_are

Oh Urg

Any recommended research sites ???