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Clawing my way out of debt!

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Hi,

seems like lots of people I've been a lurker on these boards for a while, and maybe even made a posting or two.

This is my diary to get me out of debt by the time I am 39 ( Sept next year). I know the amount I owe isn't that large compared to a lot but I want to get rid of it and then consider buying a house ( and then joint the mortgage free poeple here).

I got into debt a long time ago trying to clear and ex husbands debts- i married him without realising he was married before and had joint dents....I know what an idiot:mad:

So stupidly helped him to clear nearly £20,000 worth, and had to help him pay for CSA.

We divorced as he beat the living daylights into me, and I had to sell the flat making a £5K profit of which I had to give him half....flat was in both names even though I was paying the mortgage.

I used the money to clear the last of the debts from him.:T

Now all I am left with is £8,000 which I want to clear ASAP.
My situation: I am single and have 2 DD's and a cat ( very fat rescue one). I was laid off in April and now am on IS but looking into self employment: should have decided by next week as have some paperwork to do.

Have debts on DMP which leave me £15 per week....now I want to clear debts a lot faster as they say 5 years to be clear:rolleyes: I want next year.

Am going to try and over pay a little at a time and do one debt at a time.
First: clear this Reserve Account thingy with Barc Bank: want to clear the £500 by Jan 1st next year:D

I am also studying for an OU degree in physics ( god why I ask) and have signed to run The jungle Marthon in Oct......any help on subscribing to the DFrunning forum much appreciated.

Thanks for listening, any suggestions/butt kicking greatly appreciated

Luvvvvre some of the other threads: Buffy srpings to mind as does fression ( sos about spelling)
Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
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Comments

  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    Right, made enquiries into a basic bank account to have my IS and CB put into but have been refused. :mad:
    Am a little worried incase Barc decide to freeze or close my account...which means I wouldn't be able to access any money.
    The people at the DMP said that this could/might happen. Mind you maybe this was a ploy to try and get me to sign up for one of these pre paid managed account cards. lol

    Am hoping for a NSD once a week and to try and cut everything else as much as possible.

    Not a hope for this weekend as have a trip to London with DD's that was palnned before I lost my job. Have £80 budgeted and a few 2 for 1 offers.

    Hope NSD will be Thurs next week. Have got DD1 school trip to pay for on Tuesday.
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
  • pixiechick99
    pixiechick99 Posts: 3,728 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi there,
    Just wanted to say good luck;) I'm on my own with 2 DDs too, hard work but wouldn't have it any other way of course:D

    Maybe you could do an SOA and post up to see if the clever people round here can help you cut any pennies?

    Keep posting....I find having a diary really helps me keep focused and organised:p
    I really need to sort out a new signature!
  • Burlesque_Babe
    Burlesque_Babe Posts: 17,547 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    just wanted to firstly say well done for getting out of a voilent situation - so many women don't and you are a strong person for doing so.

    Also well done for looking to the future and planning what you want to do ie the studying (physics - brave woman!)

    Have you thought about a basic account with the Co-op? The cashminder one is popular with those who are made bankrupt. The Nat West step account is also a good basic account.

    Good luck

    xx
    :D"Stay Wonky":D

    :j:jBecome Mrs Pepe 9 October 2012 :j:j
  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    Hi guys, thanks for the words of encouragement.

    Am going to try for a post office on as there doesn't seem to be a co-op or Natwest anywhere near me.
    Todays plan of action
    1) pack stuff for London: Done
    2)Open 2 non touch saving accounts for the kids
    3) speak to Barc and see if they will close the account if this DMP talk to them....


    and on that subject, the DMp is a paid one with Fresh Start. Anybody know anything about them?

    and can't think any further than the weekend lol

    right off to take youngest DD to school and lets see how the day progresses:rolleyes:

    Have a good day everyone!!
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    Right ,things seem to be looking up, ish:rolleyes:, sorted saving accounts for the DD's and had FINALLY the rebate from tax man- and promptly paid off and cancelled my Barc reserve thing.:T..think I might have upset the young man in the bank who couldn't understand why I wanted to cancel it

    'it's an emergany £500 madam', yes, but that £500 will incur me charges of £22 every 5 days, so NO chance.

    Have been left with extra £70 from the rebate so will use it to treat the girls in London.

    Since to clear my reserve by 1st of Jan was one of my challenges I now plan to pay extra on the CC £315 balance to clear: which mean money from the DMP will go towards WF loan

    Plan for Monday is to ask about the Barc closing the accoutn cos of the DMP and the fact I have a loan with them......forgot to ask when I was in there.
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
  • Burlesque_Babe
    Burlesque_Babe Posts: 17,547 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    hi - you can apply for the Natwest Step account online if that is any help.
    :D"Stay Wonky":D

    :j:jBecome Mrs Pepe 9 October 2012 :j:j
  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    Hi BB,

    any idea if that would be better or worse than a post office one?

    Well, London was great both DD's had and excellent time:j and although I took out an extra £50 today over the budget I still managed to come home with £20 of it which will be used for this weeks lunch money for the eldestd DD.

    Zoo was brillient ( even though the DD's convinced me to have my face painted like a komodo dragon), needless to say that got some very funny looks on the tube and even funneir ones in Nandos...which the kids godparents paid for. And the aquarium -Tesco vouchers, so 2 free child entry.

    And for me......a copy of the Money Diet for £4 at the second hand book market on the Embankment:D.

    now must start thinking of plan of action for tmw.
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
  • greenmantle
    greenmantle Posts: 190 Forumite
    Ah, the book market under Waterloo bridge? Always a challenge to come away with only one precious paperback, but it's not too expensive for an afternoon's browsing!

    wanted to say congrats on getting so far & best of luck. :)
    Now: off-set mortgage *up-and-running*...
    *official Mortgage-free wannabe* :beer:
    Then: Epic graduate debts paid off, 2006-2009

  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    Plan of action so far today
    1) washing: 2 loads done ( I will have to learn how to cross things out on here)
    2) Hang washing on loine: no heating
    3) pick up yeast and flour for bread and make some....currently rising
    4) sign paperwork of IT support to start the self employment thingy

    Ok, first day as a self employed recruitment consultant and just feels good to be back working (NB to self: ring Child tax credit people)

    Spending today not so good but it was all planned
    £35 for DD1 school trip ( 3 days camping)
    £8 in cycle shop for puncture kits and pump
    £11 in health shop for my own muslea kit ( will last a month) and flour and yeast ( should last 2-3 weeks) so not too bad:rolleyes:

    Club fees for Tae kwon do are due tonight , another £10 ( for the 3 of us). Tomorrow is booked for shopping: hope to get enough food for 3 weeks for £70.

    and probably Thursday is NSD

    now all I have to do is try and sort out my signature!
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
  • catspaw
    catspaw Posts: 667 Forumite
    :jyeh, I managaed to come in under budget for the shopping for 2 weeks worth of meal plans: Budget £70 actual spend £63.58, so am pretty pleased. This also included £8.75 for DD's 1&2 underware ( you know, I have no idea how children manage to destroy thier socks and things!), and £11 for bedding for me ....why, cos when I moved I only brought 1 set and no pillow.....that's what a moonlight runaway does for you, you leave almost everythign- not the kids stuff as that is important btu as an adult things just don't seem that special! oh well

    Also got 3 for £4 on pizza at asda....so that's 2 extra meals sorted., oh and 3 packets of own brand bisuits which came in at under £1 but still an unplanned spend;)

    Managed to start doing a PAD and so far have cleared £6 from my CC bill,

    on wards we go, have a good day people
    Proud to be dealing with my debt:eek:

    TOTAL: £6,437 (04/01/2013) slowly but surely it is decreasing:D
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