Clawing my way out of debt!

catspaw

Have been bouncing round the house with energy only wish I could harness it to do something constructive.

Have to pop into town to post a birthady present and book a haircut:eek: as I have a huge meeting next week and really should get my hair done ( I only usually go every 6 months).
Have both DD's off again today cos of the snow. The planned NSD yesterday didn't go as planned as hordes of kids descended ( I had an extra 3 for lunch) I had planned for me and DD's but ended up there were 6 of us so had to pop out for extra food.

Am looking at clearing the vanquis by the end of Feb at the latest. The throw the extra at the WF.:mad:
Now, when I start doing that, how often should I ask for a balance?

Lemon_Tree

can i have some of your energy? i feel that mine has just upped and walked away.

as to how often you should ask for a balance, i would ask as often as you needed to, if you pay monthly then after the payment has gone through and possibly after they've put interest on (if they do that as well). But then i like to be awkward

catspaw

:D:D In that case I will ask every time I pay- once a week, and then every month I will ask them when my finacl payment should be, theorectically, and we all know theory and practice are 2 different thigns, this should encorage me to snowball and reduce it quicker:D:D

Ok, today didn't go as well as expected.Well it did and it didn't.

1) Had client rearrange an inportant meeting for tmw
2) This meant I HAD to get the hair done- I did look like a bright red Worzel Gummage or that eco warrier Swampie:eek:
3) Hair cut/colour/dehedging cost £75:eek::eek::eek:; but now it looks absolutely brillient and will only now need to get it trimmed and it means I don't have to struggle fitting it in before Wednesday when I have my HUGELY important meeting.

I hate paying the money......how come blokes haircuts don't cost that much ( am sure they don't even if they have a colour/highlights as well).

4) Have extra 2 kids staying over tonight and 1 is a very fussy eater. Also didn't realise how terrible her table manners are: Now bear in mind she is 12............she was eating spagetti with her fingers:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: and says she has never used a fork/spoon what ever and her parents don't mind:mad::mad:

What am I supposed to do? I also washed her jacket as it was filthy

catspaw

Haven't done much on the debt free front in fact have been spending money:mad: it's this snow and having kids over, they do eat sooooo much:D...but I get free biscuits ( as in 3 packs a time) from one of the mums when she comes to pick hers up:D

Total time spent snow shovelling this week : 6 hours, can't get out to run and this is a far better work out than the gym:D

Meeting on Friday went ery well and hope to be back next week for the final pitch.

New blokey loved my hair as does everyone else....and more to the point I like it!

OU book is in so I have to nip out at some point and pay £40 for the priviledge mmmm now why doesn't that spelling look right????

Have checked balances on CC's and they're right...I know inteerest will be added on the Vanquis one but it will be cleared.
As of Wednesday time to start nagging WF might even at some point ask for a F&F ( if I ever get any savings)

And on that point: has anyone got any suggestions as to when I should start saving/emergancy fund?

Claw_back_money

Hi Catspaw
It sounds like you've been busy over the past few days, as always! It sounds like your hair was a great success.

One of my DD's friends was not really familiar with dining tables etc - I found that my DD just saying in a shocked voice 'we have to eat our tea up the table' helped enormously - and when necessary I would say similar things in a matter of fact way (but not criticising her home or anything). I think kids get used to behaving in different ways in different places and it just gives them another tool in case they want to go and eat somewhere posh one day!

Are you able to get the OU book second hand (their website's ads from ex students?) or have you checked on bookbrain.co.uk whether it is cheaper elsewhere - presumably you have the isbn number so you can make sure you get the right edition?

Regarding savings - I read somewhere that unless you can get interest that is higher than the debt interest, you are actually paying to have savings IYSWIM. We decided not to have any at this stage - there is slack on the CC and overdrafts as we pay them off, and that would be for any emergencies. As always though, that is just one of many thoughts on the DFW process - and you'll come up with the way that feels right to you. Good luck!

Cheers
Cbm

Lemon_Tree

i checked out Martin's advice for savings accounts when i started mine up and ended up with an A&L esaver. I really like that i can check it online when i feel the whim.
I take it you're going to have to do and save up to pay things in full as they won't accept overpayments. Thats what i'm doing with my loans, should pay off loan 1 in April which will be 16 months early.

Claw_back_money

Thanks Lemon Tree - I'd forgotten that some debts you have to save for as you can't make overpayments. That must be the pits - at least with a CC you can see it [STRIKE]falling fast[/STRIKE] creeping slowly down!

Cbm

Lemon_Tree

it's strange CBM but i spent a little time over the last few months feeling jealous of all my friends on here who can overpay daily, and see it make a difference to their interest charges and see the balance actually come down, when they have credit cards. I guess the only way loans are better is that you know each payment will bring down the balance and that there is an end to them. It's funny what you can feel jealous about though isn't it!

catspaw

Falling fast:D that would be nice.
Will take a look at the A&L. Would be good to have one as I can put small savings in there and let them build up to pay things off early as both of you seem to be doing.
16 moths early:T I wish I could manage that.

I do have some extra money due in next week and then 2 weeks after that from a client that should wipe both the CC's. I also want to save for emergancies (as in the little red rust bucket that is my car), I have an MOT due in June.

Now I know I only paid £500 for her and have had her 4 years but I can't afford a new car ( and refuse to get one on finance)

Thanks for the advice CBM on DD1's friend: she seems to relax when she's here and would hate to put her off coming

catspaw

Morning all,

Lets see, where are we today?
Went for another 10 miler yesterday in the snow, only ankle deep this time but the views were amazing
I cancelled my meeting yesterady due to a lovely black eye:o from TKD on Monday night-oops. But its back on for Tuesday.

I'm also surveying like mad hoping to build up enough points for Amazon vouchers....this will help for birthadys/christmas.

I have to take all my details in on Tuesday morning to register as an exam invigilator.....again this will help towards birthdays/christmas

This means that I will match the extra income and throw it at my debts....does that make any sense: or maybe even an extra present for the DD's

Today I am treating myself and going to the cinema with a freind ( and NO kids:j) should I feel guilty??? Nope