Westiedogs 1st diary

westiedog

Its the 1st of July today and the start of my diary.

LBM was December 2008 :idea: and signed up with Payplan in January - first standing order to them was 1st February 2009 - and has been continuing the first of every month.

From today I will only be going to the cheaper supermarkets eg Aldi, Lidl and Netto etc - I will be doing this throughout July to see what difference it makes.

I started writing everything I spend down since 16/06/09 and it has been a real eye opener. I have also decided that when I get paid every month I will be transferring whatever cash I have left from the previous month into my works credit union account (it more difficult to get to that way)

Will keep you all updated with how I get on - wish me luck xx :T

claire0788

Hey

Just a wee thought, if you have money left over at the end of the month after the bills why dont you find out which of the % is highest of your debt and pay your extra cash to that ? Even if its only just a small amount itll add up x

westiedog

:money: I hope I am not going to break any forum rules as I am also going to post the balance of my bank account on here to keep myself on the straight and narrow.

Most of my direct debits come off on the 1st of the month and the horrible thing is I dont get paid until tommorow - I also have no overdraft facility on my account which is a good thing. I have huge debts from cc's/loans due to my overspending/depression/2 failed marriages and loosing my dad and best friend to cancer - and other family and friends.

I have been on medication for depression since January and feeling a lot more positive about the future.

Balance at 1013hrs 01/07/09 - £256.63 :embarasse

westiedog

Thanks for reply Claire. Forgot to say once I have transferred the cash to the credit union and I reach £200 - every £200 will then be used to pay off some of my debts - luckily they are all interest free at the minute - but not sure if i should get rid of the smaller ones first? c

westiedog

Sorry if I confused anyone my balance is +£256.63

Lemon_Tree

Hi and welcome to the boards, twas a good idea to clarify that you had a positive bank balance, and no you're not breaking any rules that i know about, we all put figures and debt information on the boards and in our signatures.
Have you done your Statement of Accounts yet? if so then if you post it here you'll get some good ideas which could help you save money to help bring forward your debt free date.

ClootiesMum

Good luck on your journey - look forward to keeping up with you

CM

MrsPorridge

Hi Westiedog,

Try and change your direct debit date. I have done it several times over the past few years and only met with helpfulness from the various companies. DH gets paid on 28th of every month and I get paid on last day of every month so all my "big" DDs go out on 6th of every month. Then I know that I will have the money in the account to cover them.

westiedog

Thanks every one for the replies-going to try and sort out staggered dates for d/d's at the bank. As far as I & E I have one with payplan so I may post it here at some stage but just dont want to at the minute - sorry all but just dont feel ready.

Finished nightshift yesterday morning so I am off till 7am Saturday. Its been really hot here but not sunny - did a bit of cleaning this morning and was going to cut the grass but it started to thunder and lightning.

Met a work colleague at Mc Donalds - we do this quite regularly - normally have a cup of coffee cos I collect the tokens and if you have 6 you get a free black or white coffee, latte of cappuccino. Had sparking water which was free out of the soft drink dispenser. He had large meal with a large strawberry milk shake and then another medium strawberry milk shake - I didnt pay - he is the only one I have confided in about my level of debt. Yesterday he asked if I wanted £25,000 to offer creditors and didnt need to pay it back. I said no - I could not do that but asked him just to listen if I wanted to talk about it - he is a great friend.

My OH knows Im in debt just not the level.

After McDonalds went to pet shop to buy a 1 kg bag of dried sausages for my dogs - normally about £6.35 but they were out of stock to bought a small bag of dried liver for them for £1.75 from cash I had in my purse. Will have to go back later in week re the sausages.

I have 3 dogs and a cat.

After that went to Netto and bought:
2litres of strong bleach - 99p, 3 bottles of wine at 2.99 each (friends coming round for a cheap night in), 12 pouches of cat food in gravy £2.19, 1kg dried cat biscuits 99p, small bag of dried dog sausages £1.54, pack of 7 dog dental sticks 72p, 2 x cans of tomato soup 23p each, 2 x cans of baked beans 32p each, large bag of bombay mix 99p, 2 x 2 packs of cheese topped buns(quite big ones) 59p each and a pack of 12 assorted bags of crisps 89p - grand total £19.56

bank account balance +£237.07

I know there is nothing fresh above but still have a few bits in fridge from other more expensive shops. Normally when I shop I go for a few bits and think nothing of spending £50+ so I am well happy with my spend today xx :T

westiedog

Me and OH just been going through finances etc - no joint debt apart from mortgage which is up to date - just caught a glimpse of his bank statement and on there was a subscription for a well known dating website!!!

Im gutted, havent said anything to him yet so what to I do ? xxx

Any replies appreciated xxx

Lemon_Tree

eeeek not sure what to do about the dating website entry, it could be very innocent though.