Champagne Lifestyle Lemonade Budget (My attempts to get debt free by April 2010)

Sun_Addict

Been stalking some MBT trainers in TK Maxx for the last few weeks. I know they are over £100 normally but they were selling them for £40. My patience has paid off and I got them today for £19.57. They feel really weird to walk in so hope I don't fall over and break something but am sure I'll get used to them. I'm going to christen them tomorrow morning on my 3 mile daily walk to work so here's hoping!

I'm counting the days until payday next week when I can make my next to last payment on the Virgin card. The 0% interest rate doesn't finish until April 2010 and a little part of me keeps saying split the final amount into 5 small payments so there's not so much pressure on but then I think what I'd do with the extra cash and I know I'll probably just spend it so deep down I know it's best to pay it off in two big chunks and get it over and done with. OH's job is always a bit slack at the beginning of the year and he also has time off with the weather (building trade) so really it's best out of the way. I'm just looking forward to the first month I can put the money I normally use to pay off debt into savings. This is what I intend to do and I keep telling myself I mustn't just start spending it, it must go into savings or I'll end up back at square one again.

Sun_Addict

I feel a bit sad here all on my lonesome replying to my own thread but at least it's keeping me motivated in my last few weeks.

I've survived my first walk to work in the MBT trainers - felt a bit like walking on springs but I could really feel it in my calf muscles and backside. I'm running on my treadmill tonight but won't be doing it in the MBTs. Hope I'll be able to move my legs tomorrow!! The things I do to keep fit.

Totted up my finances so far this month and it's going to be a struggle to pay £400 off the debt but should be able to do it with a bit of shuffling things about. Overspent in a couple of areas in my budget (especially the holiday one ) so will need to keep a tighter rein in the next four week period. I try to save £50 a month for OH's van service/repairs/etc and £10 a month in case cat needs to go to vet but won't be able to this month if I want to be debt free by Christmas. I have really got to get a grip on my spending if I want to remain debt free and get some serious savings behind me.

beanielou

Great bargain on the MBT's
Keep going

Claw_back_money

Hi Sun Addict
I've just read through your diary and am inspired by your exercise regime and determination. And you're so close to being debt free, lucky thing! I understand that feeling about the interest free card and paying it off - we have two debts, an annoying overdraft which is really hard to clear, and a 0% credit card. I think that we may be able to clear the overdraft this month, and if not definitely by end December, which just leaves the credit card. Two choices:-

A) pay off the card and feel debt free :T
put minimum payments off the card and put the money into a savings account, getting interest, and transfer it when 0% period comes to an end.

I'm a bit scared of B, what if I mess up/ spend it/ need the money? It will also mean deferring the satisfaction for a few more months. I really can't wait to be DF (its getting a bit obsessional now, TBH).

Cheers
Cbm

Sun_Addict

Hi CBT - I know what you mean about the 0% card. I could pay £160 a month off until end March, be debt free in March and have a bit of breathing space in finances or pay off £400 this month and £399 next month, be debt free by Christmas and not have to worry about repayments from then onwards. I'm striving for the latter as I'm so fed up of repaying debt now, I feel like I'm paying out money for nothing!

Hi beanielou - legs are still moving!! Just!!

Claw_back_money

Fed up feeling about debt - you could be talking about me! I am envious of how you multi-task though; thinking about your weight too.
I don't seem to have enough time to do anything, especially exercise, and I am feeling very uncomfortable about it now. Its surely a question of priorities though; if I wanted to lose weight as much as I wanted to be DF I would find time to exercise just like I manage to crowbar surveys/clicks/account watching into a full week. :rolleyes: How do you keep motivated?

Cbm

Swinstie73

Hey Sun Addict!

Don't be sad about talking to yourself, I do it too sometimes! Not been on for a few days as feeling a bit poorly, extremely sore throat.

Well done on the MBT's I'd love to try them, but after getting Fitflops and ending up in agony with them, don't think I will risk it!

Keep up the good work x

Sun_Addict

CBM - I think I'm so motivated about exercise as I've been doing it for over 20 years so I think it's more a habit than anything. There are some days when I don't feel like it when I get home but I try to push myself to do 30 minutes of something even if it's only the Wii Fit. I walk 3 miles to work everyday and this saves on bus fares so this kills two birds with one stone. I also lost a stone with WeightWatchers 7 years ago and have managed to keep it off ever since. It made me totally change the way I eat and is the only diet I've ever stuck to and can highly recommend it. I'm only 5'1" and have a really tiny frame so unfortunately every extra pound shows up on me so I have to work hard to stay in shape. I do get fed up some days when I see people at work with huge baguettes and cakes but then I hear them saying they can't lose weight and can see why. But this doesn't mean to say I am good all the time, I have days when I'm bad and I love my red wine! I just have to be careful as it would be so easy to put all the weight back on again.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!:beer:

Claw_back_money

Hi Sun Addict

Did you decide about debts, are you going for the celebratoy debt free christmas? That must be fantastic - its SOOO close!!

(guiltily puts bar of chocolate in drawer) 30 minutes of exercise. Would a brisk walk round the estate count?! I'm trying to think how I could do it without buying anything (Wiii, exercise bike etc). I am so unused to exercise I think it might be a good start.

Cheers
Cbm

Sun_Addict

Hi Cbm - yes have decided to go for it and pay off debt by Christmas instead of dragging it on. Can't wait to get rid. Will definitely celebrate in some way - not too expensive a way though! Walking would be a great form of exercise and you could always look for some exercise routines you could do at home without buying any equipment on the internet.

Well I have had yet another over indulgent weekend! Must break this habit I seem to be getting into. On Friday I bought two pairs of boots from BHS which were already reduced and then there was 20% off. So I got a pair of long boots and a pair of ankle boots for £31. Didn't really need them but have worn them over the weekend and love them don't feel too guilty.

OH bought a coat from Tesco which he'd had his eye on for a few weeks and now reduced from £45 to £28. Couldn't really say anything because of my boots.

We also bought a Christmas tree, lights and baubles. We usually have a real tree and use old baubles out of the loft but this year I fancied a white tree with black and silver baubles and blue lights. We only spent the same as we'd spend on a real tree so not so bad after all. DD thinks we should have a real tree and thinks white one will look horrible!

After our shopping trip we decided to go in local pub for a swift one and ended up eating lunch there as well!

Got a free bottle of Cava from the Co-op courtesy of The Sun newspaper. Really should have bought a few copies of The Sun and got a load of bottles so didn't have my proper MSE head on there! Cava was a good one as it was on offer for half price and it was lovely. Unfortunately I'm rather naughty with Cava and can drink a whole bottle to myself - which I did on Saturday night!

On the plus side I have finally got around to putting some stuff on ebay. Took me nearly two hours from photograph stage to final listing and remembered why I hate doing it. However, I've already sold two things so will have to parcel them up when I get home from work and dash out to the Post Office before it closes. Hopefully this time I will make slightly more profit than I did at my last attempt.

Payday on Wednesday and although it will be a struggle I'll be able to pay another £400 off debt. This will leave just £399 to pay by Christmas and then that's it!!!!!!!! :j