Taking on some challenges

MiniLaura

Starting diary as its half way thru the year, I'm motoring along ok with current income/outgoings but not a lot happening re overpayments/savings

Hoping to move in with my partner and will be moving from a single life to a joint finances point of view. (currently get WTC and some benefits as work part time)

We both work part time, similar incomes - I rent myself and he lives at home - I have one debt which is managable but his arent so, so currently helping sort them out.

Will make the challenge of moving in together and getting finances on even keel for both us of interesting.

I do avon and ebay so hoping to get stuck into this to up the income.

Also hoping to move into a unfurnished flat so will have fun furnishing to our tastes, and on limited funds.

Diary is from my point of view only

Debts:Bank Loan

Issues:

Moving house - sorting out old flats and new flats rent/bills

Council Tax for current flat - in arrears.

Working Tax Credits - claim as single, need to move to couple.

Hopefully get some figures together and some targets but current income and costs are up in the air till we move.

Very excited and would like to keep a record of all this..

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary

MiniLaura

Well I'm now 2 months on - some updates in current siituation -

renewed tax credits and seem to be abe to continue on the amount given - will be good as helps me stay afloat - still waiting on confirmation then its off to benefits to ensure Im on correct level.

After all this it looks like I will need to redo all claims as a couple! I feel like im never going to have a steady income at the moment which makes planning very hard!

Good news on hte OH side - has just paid a full and final settlement on one debt which will give him a good bit of spare income from debt repayments meaning we can afford to look at living together!

Not been doing much avon as have been away etc, but will need to get that up to speed in run up to xmas.

Ebaying is going ok - about to have a craft clearout and hopjng to get some funds this way as well as getting craft stock down to a manageable level - all helps in my bid to get decluttered.

Recently just took money from paypal as lump sum from last six months or so. that definately helps, Usually just let money build up.

Think my aims for next month or so
Get tax and benefit awards correct as current status as single, then ready to change to being a couple claiming.

Then get a new SOA done and then debt busting can begin - need to get saving started for a mortgage!

MiniLaura

Council tax arrears - got contacted by a DCA company - lots of phoning back and forth and ended up repaying all the council tax due to the DCA to minimise dealings with them - how I hate them! Just glad i had some savings ready. Least it means no council tax due until Apr next year I hope!

Also re moving - staying in current flat but hope to hvae OH move in shortly so that should give me some more cash to get sorted withsavings/debt repayments etc as current outgoings are manageble on my own.

MiniLaura

Taken from the 12 week thread - Goals for next 12 weeks


1. Get boyfriend moved in and settled into a routine
2. Sort out all income and expenditure
- cease HB/CT, redo WTC as couple, new insurance, new TV deal, other TBC
3. Sort out both our debt repayment plans and get debt free date in mind.
4. Lose some lbs! Aiming to get under 10 stone - swimming and curling.
5. Get avon territory and canvass it!
6. Stash of xmas and general cards made up, and reduce craft stuff
7. Cleaning rota set up - awful at doing things regualary just now.
8. Budget for xmas set up and stuck to.
9. Start back clicking and freebies
10. Make more productive use of free time and get a college course organised.

Hmmm lots i want to do but figure as life is going through lots of changes just now ie living wiht partner, settled into job, best time for me to get sorted.

This week I am sorting out current income and pllanning next few months as single person, hopefully go swimming and start hte curling on saturday and see where i go with the rest of the things.

Good luck to everyone else with their plans

bisselljk1986

Just stopping by to wish you luck!! Trying to get to grips with the clicking and freebies stuff myself at the moment so i know how hard it can be.

And moving in with your partner for the first time can be really daunting - I was in the exact same position as you a couple of years ago with my then girlfriend (now wife). Trust me...it's worth it! Good luck!!

MiniLaura

Thanks - used to do clicks ages ago - for pigsback and applied (and got) lots of freebies

The move is drawing nearer and nearrer - not very mse as ive been buying stuff - its a good chance to ahve a decllutter and its going well!

Now if my decluttered stuff will just sell on ebay that will help!

MiniLaura

Well its the start of 2010 and currently not very good positiion with finances - will be a tight couple of months but the OH is all moved in and we are slowly getting there with joint finances/costs! Will need to post an updated SOA and get organised once more - this year I want debt sorted - payment plans for us both and to get savings together!

beanielou

Hope 2010 is a great year for you both
Look forward to seeing your new SOA.
Keep posting!

MiniLaura

Dear diary - i have been a bad DFW and not written in ages!

January was a bad month money wise - my poor credit card took a bashing at xmas and I maxed it out.....eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

It was at 660 at its highest so not too pleased with myself - overspent on xmas presents and food and other stuff, plus had mix up wiht a big present for my parents - had to pay using current account which meant i had to then use the cc to cover living expenses!

Anyway im now back on the DFW road and even come up with a plan for sorting out the balance and thankfully with DLA due twice next month I can clear the card by end of march.

Helps that I use it for grocery shopping and in Feb should have a no spend week as i hvae £29 in tesco vouchers and pretty fulll cupboards/cooked meals in freezer.

Do need to make the effort to curb food spending so ging back to keeping a spending diary fr this.

So far spent £70 this month on food - aiming for less than £50 more by end of Feb.....18 days to go eek!


Being quite good and not shopping much other than food - i need to buy curling equipment this week and decided to use paypal funds from ebay t cover this expense - feels good.

Off to pay a bit extra to my egg account now :j

MiniLaura

Time to take stock:

Got my list below and will update.

A lot more settled now

[STRIKE]1. Get boyfriend moved in and settled into a routine
2. Sort out all income and expenditure
- cease HB/CT, redo WTC as couple, new insurance, new TV deal, other TBC[/STRIKE]
3. Sort out both our debt repayment plans and get debt free date in mind. - working on this
4. Lose some lbs! Aiming to get under 10 stone - walking and swimming at the moment
5. Get avon territory and canvass it! -hoping to start this now better weather is here
6. Stash of xmas and general cards made up, and reduce craft stuff - need to get started
7. Cleaning rota set up - awful at doing things regualary just now. - list is done - just need to do list!
8. [STRIKE]Budget for xmas set up and stuck to.[/STRIKE]
9. Start back clicking and freebies
10. Make more productive use of free time and get a college course organised.

• Got my credit card cleared with a backdated tax credits claim
• budgets sorted out for living together
• Fitness goals are getting there - currently under 10 stone and working away at it - im doing a 10k this sunday, just walking it but its been a good goal
• needing to get my job sorted out and increase the income.

Feeling a lot more positive about debts and stuff now - just a loan for me to clear and bf is sorting out his slowly but surely!