Project Budget starts here - clear the debt and save for second childhood

lauhen

Please tell us, or have you and I have missed it.

moo2moo

Can you combine work and study and do a block release or a day release program. That way you'd still be working but you'd be able to burger orf for a day a week or a week a month to go do your thang. Its usually a horifically long day but you could sell it to your company that the average uni is only open for 36ish weeks of the year a day a week of this would be your annual holiday allowance give or take a wee bit. Make one day of the weekend your study day and the other day your family day. Theres always a way if you want somthing badly enough.

rupe34

Hi all - nice to see you Moo.

I am going to shelve my study/work dilemma for a little bit. There is no rush to decide - and I need to chill on it.

Had M&S statement through - its a bit more than I thought, petrol & whatnot from holiday - so its £450. On the plus side, my friend who owes me £180 on my MBNA card talked brought it up yesterday even though I haven't mentioned it - and so should get that back soon.

So , where am I:

Capital One : cleared tra la laaaa:j
M & S: £300
MBNA: £450
Bank of mum: £700
Next (from the sale that rocked): £115 (:o Clearly I lost my head a bit)

Am amending my plan a little:

Sept: clear MBNA, £50 to Next, £100 (ish) to M & S
Oct: Clear Next, M&S, £100 to mum BUT will be bringing in about £150-200 more from Oct as I am increasing my hours at work:cool:
November : Get at least half the amount owing back to mum - and pay fuel bills (eek)
Dec: Clear what we owe mum. Frugal Christmas (although we never go mad at Christmas - can't spend massive amounts like that cos my long-buried sensible bone kicks in)
Jan: Get saving!!!!

BTW I know many of us on this board are coping with long-term debts, or much bigger amounts - and I also know that many of us are facing redundancy or pay cuts - so I'm genuinely sorry if me going on about this is really irritating! If I ever sound smug - kick me up the bum!;)

robsmum_2

Hi Rupe, Don't worry you won't sound smug, just inspirstional! Well done on paying off 1st CC. I am going to start my diary again after our holiday next week as we have decided to have a frugal year inthe coming year, we have things that need replacing like a carpet and my car, so holiday and then frugal year starts. Keep motivated.

rupe34

Hey RM - I am really glad that you are getting a holiday this year!!! You really do deserve to have a rest get the chance to do what you want - when you want!;)

Today may JUST count as a NSD - IF (and only if) we don't count giving middle rugrat his pocket money?! One day out of seven is very bad news - need to step it up a bit.

Was very tempted by a letter from a Slimming World consultant - you know the old 'come back to Slimming World, special offer etc etc' - but I have decided to put the money I would have spent to rejoin and buy a 12-week countdown (£50) in the savings pot, and just get a grip eating-wise on my own. Easier said than done - but that £50 will look very nice in my ISA (which I will have to reintroduce myself to as it has not been looked at for 4 years since we emptied it:rotfl:) It may go into shock when it notices I have actually PUT MONEY IN IT:D

redstararnie76

Hi Rupe,
Congrats on paying off the credit card! It really sounds like you're getting your teeth into those debts, they'll be gone before you know it.
I tend to find that fate tends to step in with work/study/life dilemmas - I'm sure that it'll all work itself out in the end...

laura2481

rupe34 wrote: »

Was very tempted by a letter from a Slimming World consultant - you know the old 'come back to Slimming World, special offer etc etc' - but I have decided to put the money I would have spent to rejoin and buy a 12-week countdown (£50) in the savings pot, and just get a grip eating-wise on my own. Easier said than done -

I'm doing the SW eating plan by myself with my old book (I've joined 3x in the past so pretty much know it inside out! ) and It's going ok. I may rejoin if I can't keep up the weight loss but going ok- lost 2Ibs in 5 days so far

rupe34

Hola! :hello: Am in slightly bonkers mood - its half-past midnight, I have to get up in 6 hours - and I'm just not tired.

Anyway - Red, you are very wise indeed. After some good chats over the weekend with my best friend and with OH (yes I know he 'ought' to be my best friend - and he is, in a bloke way;)) went into work today. Sat in our Monday staff meeting (which was fine) and just thought 'No this is NOT where I want to be for the next decade'. Hmm - have a feeling thats gone a long way to solving the dilemma:rolleyes:

So, faced up to the reality of saving VERY VERY HARD once the CCs are paid off (and bank of Mum - who is lovely and doesn't really want the money back - which is exactly why I want to get it back to her ASAP!). I need £6k by next August - if I'm going to start the course next year full-time. :eek:Gulp.

But Moo is absolutely right - there is always a way if you want it badly enough

rupe34

Oh dear Have just spent £100 on a mobile.:eek:

Stop shouting at me everyone!!

My mobile totally gave up the ghost yesterday, wouldn't let me even write texts and kept saying I had insufficient memory to do anything. After clearing it of everything possible (including my entire contacts list which I now have to put back in:rolleyes:) it still said I basically couldn't do anything.

Long saga with numerous phone calls to Vodafone - finally went down to Vodafone shop where they tried everything to fix it. No joy 'it will have to be sent away'.

I use my phone A LOT for work - a lot a lot. I work with vulnerable young people as part of my job, and if you don't have a mobile you don't hear from them (and pretty much everything is done by text). And from a personal point of view - three kids at different schools, husband working odd shifts, and me travelling around quite a bit - its just important to me that people can find me.

Justification almost over;)

ANYHOO - looked at the new phones and this one seems the most robust - and it has a good camera which my other one had, and I also use that a lot.

Told OH - and I guess 'guess how much' so that I wouldn't have to say it outloud.

rupe34

Just checking in today. Have managed a No Spend Day at last!

Paid a chunk off my Next bill, but someone has been round to read the gas/elec meters so I'm guessing a bill will be winging its way here soon.:rolleyes: I actually think its cruel the way they time it - cos there is always one around Christmas - just when you think 'phew, everything paid for' - a hefty bill comes through the door....

Actually - its a good thing that I have to go pick up DD now - otherwise it would have been rant-city around here.;)