Dottyannes 'in need of support' debt diary (all new)

dottyanne

morning all, its a root through the freezer today for me to find something to feed the tribe on today...i had a lovely wake up call at about 1 min past 8 - i presume from teh lovely crapquest, last month i only managed to pay £5 off the Egg Card (usual payment is £25.00) - i did write a letter to explain why and also that the next payment would be back to the usual £25, but they keep ringing and ringing - im not answering it (should i?) and even if i did they wouldnt talek to me as this debt is in OH name only.....im in a really wierd mood today, one minute im chuffed that im have a 'plan' and that if it works i will be rid of at least 9 of my 13 debts (or nooses round my neck) by the end of 2010, but im also a worrier and worry that i have no privisions for anything that might come up in that time, im seriously thinking that i need to also save even just £1 per day in an 'Emergency Pot' for anything that just 'pops up' - do you think thats enough - or would £2 be better? im serioulsy looking for the right answers and formula to work for me properly this time..

JAMIEDODGER

Morning Dotty:)

If it makes you feel better to save something in a emergency pot, then do it!! Keep going with the PAD as it soon adds up! I have an ISA linked to my normal bank account and I just transfer my PAD payments into that each day. I am saving to do the flooring in DD's room and also some more decking in the garden. I am rejoining the grocery challenge next month and like you try and use up what I have left in the freezer and make meals out of that.

doodledo_2

Morning Dotty. I think its a good idea to have a small emergency fund as its when something unexpected happens that plans come unstuck and before you know it you can be on a slippery slope again.

I haven't looked at your SOA yet, is there much room for saving a few quid and keep on top of your debt repayments?

dottyanne

Hi doodle, no there is nothing (based on current spend on SOA) i willhowever have to cut back on the spending by at least £250 ish to cover all outgoings - im aiming to save £2 per day for emergencies (starting today).

Thanks Jamie for the support also, like i always say 'doesnt do us all to be the same' and i guess we all have our won ways, thoughts and methods of doing things - so its gotta be whats right for me and my family too...

dottyanne

just transferred £2 into my savings/emergency bank account fund online banking - yay me!!

turfy6

Hi Dotty Im the same I think, just discovered that I too dont have anything for the unusual stuff that comes along. Im wondering whether to make separate jars/envelopes for all stuff like haircuts, car exp tax, birthdays and that or just one emergency jar.
I have been on here for awhile now and its a great incentive to get your a***e into gear. Im trying the ebay route too and am just at the stage where no one is screaming for money!!:rotfl:
Good luck and I'll be back.

edinburgher

Hi Dotty :wave:

Your £2 fund is certainly growing fast - I've thought about trying to save them in the past but London checkout assistants seem to resent giving them out

I suggested a budgeting tool/ computer program that might be of some use to you as your income is a bit irregular in Doodledo's thread. Feel free to ignore it if it's not needed, but from what I've seen of it if might suit your circumstances.

dottyanne

Hi Edingurgher, thanks for the programme - will defo check that out later. I added another £2 last night making £20 saved towards xmas, i also have a massive pig which i throw all coppers and 5p into, im looking to fill this up full (its massive) then throw that at my debt too, i also transferred £2 into my savings/emergency account in online banking today, it really bothers me that i have nothing put aside for emergencies - thats what gets me in trouble budget wise as i never have anything to fall back on.

I also listed another item on ebay, thats 4 listed now and i have loads more rummaging to do, i already have 3 watchers on the other things i listed yesterday so fingers crossed.

I'm going to base my budget on the bare minimum we can expect to get each month, but as i did my SOA prev, even at this it leaves me a shortfall of over £200 but i am positive i can make this up for the next 9 month and beyond by cutting back on food expenses and savings here and there.

One thing im going to have to be stricter on is the kids, they get pocket money but forever ask for more for the shop/ ice cream van and i am no longer giving this to them, they also need to learn the meaning of the word budget so they dont end up in the same mess as their mother!! lol..

edinburgher

Well if you learn how to be a budgeting champion it'll rub off on your kids and will make their lives easier

It would be very good if you could manage to make ends meet by cutting back on your budget and use the extras towards the debts/emergencies.

The up your income board is very good and I've also got a really good daily clicks spreadsheet that I can send you if needed? (it's based on the brilliant sheet by EagerLearner but has been tidied up a bit). PM me if you fancy a copy and I'll gladly e-mail it on.

dottyanne

i may sound mega dumb here but whats a 'daily clicks' spreadsheet?