Once More With Feeling! - Buffy's debt diary

Pamela1705

Hi Buffy,

Can't believe I missed all the talk about Giles's man parts!

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in briefly (I had one too many energy drinks today and my blood has turned into pure caffeine :j:j) to say well done on how well you've been doing.

Interesting what you say about diets. I've discovered I simply can't multitask the way I used to do. If I concentrate on my diet, I do v v well. But I can't seem to concentrate on that for long because lots of things start going on and then I lose focus. At the minute I'm slowing getting in control of my finances (v good) but piling on the pounds, slowly but surely.

Just wondered how you maintain such focus on both things?

LouiseJ

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you lovely Buffy lady.

I am sure the Observation will go well again.

mum2one

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

So the 18 week Credit card free challenge I set myself didn't exactly work out the way I wanted it to. That was mainly due to work, I was pretty much stabbed in the back and found life very hard for a bit there(spending and money went completely out of the window). I am now mostly out of shock about that although it is still going on I have got used to it to some extent. I can honestly say my friends on daily chat got me through the difficult parts and have been wonderful.

So I am trying something different. Well a bit different. I am not going to set myself any time related goals. I don't want to be tied up in knots about whether or not I am going to met my targets.

After reading some discussions on the Single and In Debt Thread (another fantastic bunch of people) I came to the conclusion that you can try and try and try to live a life of a monk and not spend anything and not leave the house cos you need a no spend day, eat cheese sandwiches and drink lime and soda if you do dare go out and all that happens to me is that I get miserable. And then all I do that is I spend a ridiculous amount of money in a tiny amount of time.

I do always make my payments and I don't go over drawn which is all good but I think I could make more overpayments if I stop being so all or nothing.

What I have to get away from is that all my "spare" money should go on my debts. In an ideal world I would obviously but things like my sister's birthday, my friends babies, my hobbies are all expensive and I just do not account for them at all! my budgetting skills suck....and then I feel guilty and then I think what's the point? Then I don't make so much effort and the cycle continues.

I felt terrible when I knew I wouldn't reach my goal and then I felt even worse when I knew I be in more debt. And the thing is this is my life. This time spent pouring over spreadsheets and adding and working out and dividing everything by 12 to see how long it takes to pay offand the guilt I feel. I am only getting one set of thirties here! And although I would love to be debt free I also have to live and stop feeling so bad about it all!

I was thinking its a bit like being on a diet. You can starve yourself and lose weight but you aren't really changing anything cos once the event you are skinnying in to is done you go back to eating like a small horse and you are right back where you started. (I do that too see:o)

So there is no new plan there is no new challenge there is simply a change in attitude and perspective.

1. I will go out and socialise as I would have done a few years ago. I live with my mum and although I love her and i am not moving out any time soon it can be difficult. I do need some time to myself and to see friends. I am allowed to spend money!

2. I will plan each month's spending as it comes (part of the problem was my second job has a variable wage) and not have some massive overall plan to be debt free.

3. I don't know when my debt free date is and that is ok by me. However I will make overpayments as and when I can.

I don't mean I am going to be all reckless and over spend. Each month each "pot" will have a different amount in to accomodate my plans. I will still do surveys and clicks and scratchcards. I will find the cheapest way to do stuff and I will still have NSD's. I will still do a payment a day.

Its just that instead of all being towards some (now) mythical debt free date its just what I do. I don't want to put my life on hold because of my debt.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes said something when he was interviewed after his climb. That he just kept plodding, the mountain had no top he just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and not think about the end. So that is what I am going to do.

I hope this makes sense.

Buffy xxx

Hello stranger, (feels like a stalker), just caught ur new thread, have just read 1st post, the difference, you sound amazing, (means in the nicest of way), dont know whats happened but ur coming across as calm, and taking life as it comes.

Will catch up properly, but are you still teaching, and you were doing the 2nd teaching job, dare I ask if Avon, + Ebay are still on the go.
Hows mum doing now, dare I ask about sister.

I cheated and took out a consolidation loan, paid off my credit cards, store cards, took about 3hrs working out to get the best way to pay off, I've cleared all the interest cards, pd dad 2k off what I owe him, but still got to repay savings. But as they say Rome wasn't built in a day, and like you I've learned that I want a life, even if it adds a yr onto the debts so what, I NEED A LIFE.

XX

Raini

Just caught up & it sounds like you have been busy! It's rubbish working for someone you can't stand ... but what goes around comes around.

Good luck with you're journey Buffy & I'll be popping back!

Oh & I definitely like Giles & Spike. Both very lovely ...

Buffythedebtslayer

Pamela1705 wrote: »

Hi Buffy,

Can't believe I missed all the talk about Giles's man parts!

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in briefly (I had one too many energy drinks today and my blood has turned into pure caffeine :j:j) to say well done on how well you've been doing.

Interesting what you say about diets. I've discovered I simply can't multitask the way I used to do. If I concentrate on my diet, I do v v well. But I can't seem to concentrate on that for long because lots of things start going on and then I lose focus. At the minute I'm slowing getting in control of my finances (v good) but piling on the pounds, slowly but surely.

Just wondered how you maintain such focus on both things?

Welcome Pamela xxxxx

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:I don't I can focus on the money and do ok but food is my down fall! its a disaster.

Talking of energy drinks, I found one called Energy Boost. FAB stuff. and not too disgusting.

xxx

Buffythedebtslayer

LouiseJ wrote: »

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you lovely Buffy lady.

I am sure the Observation will go well again.

Right back at you sweetie xxxxxxxxxxxx

Buffythedebtslayer

mum2one wrote: »

Hello stranger, (feels like a stalker), just caught ur new thread, have just read 1st post, the difference, you sound amazing, (means in the nicest of way), dont know whats happened but ur coming across as calm, and taking life as it comes.

Will catch up properly, but are you still teaching, and you were doing the 2nd teaching job, dare I ask if Avon, + Ebay are still on the go.
Hows mum doing now, dare I ask about sister.

I cheated and took out a consolidation loan, paid off my credit cards, store cards, took about 3hrs working out to get the best way to pay off, I've cleared all the interest cards, pd dad 2k off what I owe him, but still got to repay savings. But as they say Rome wasn't built in a day, and like you I've learned that I want a life, even if it adds a yr onto the debts so what, I NEED A LIFE.

XX

OOO hello I was thinking about you the other day and couldn't find your diary ahh consoldidation we ve all done it I am sure, well most of us (me twice) It is kinda easier when its one payment instead of six isn't it!

School is hell, tutoring is fab, Avon is a(nother) disaster and e bay well:o its a work in progress.

I too decided I needed a life and to stop beating myself up, work is bad enough and I must focus on getting through the next 34 days till term finishes.

its good to hear from you hon ((((((hugs))))))))))

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

boredofbeingathome

The TDA are after 100,000 tutors to register for september for 1:1 tuition the pay is very good. It may be worth a look Buffy.

Buffythedebtslayer

Raini wrote: »

Just caught up & it sounds like you have been busy! It's rubbish working for someone you can't stand ... but what goes around comes around.

Good luck with you're journey Buffy & I'll be popping back!

Oh & I definitely like Giles & Spike. Both very lovely ...

I 'd have any man from Buffy I reckon.

mind you that picture of David Beckham reignited a long term passion for him. :o:o

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

ahem. well my plan for tomorrow

bed soon (11.30)

then up tomorrow 6.30, tidy room organise clothes and organise work. makr 10 books, take a break and spend 15 minutes sorting through some Avon stuff. then 10 books, 15 minutes sorting post, 10 books, back to Avon.

repeat as neccessary

ooo and today was a no spend day.

xxxx

Buffythedebtslayer

boredofbeingathome wrote: »

The TDA are after 100,000 tutors to register for september for 1:1 tuition the pay is very good. It may be worth a look Buffy.

ooo what's the TDA?

xxxx