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Time for an Update
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Ali-OK
Posts: 4,073 Forumite
It's 2 months since I joined MSE and so much has changed financially for the good that I thought it would be good to post an update. I'm also starting to flag a little (noticed I've started browsing at stuff I'd like..not need) so hopefully this will keep me on track!
The outgoings that got kicked into touch since coming here and taking onboard everyone's advice (thank you all) :
Orange reduced £25 p/m contract to PAYG @ £10 a month = saving of £180 p/a
Sky £21 p/m - GONE = saving of £252 p/a
Current account £15 p/m, changed to free account = saving of £180 per year
Income Protection £45.61 p/month - GONE - moved £40 of it to Reg Saver (at 10% for 1yr)
Life Assurance £18.90 p/month - GONE - saving of £226.80
Car insurance - reduced from £35.11 p/m, changed insurer and reduced to £21.91 (though paid in one go) = saving of £158.40
Weekly shop reduced from £60 p/wk last autumn to £20 max p/w now = saving of £2080 p/a:eek:
Smoking - £100 p/m - GONE - Quit on 1st April = £1,200 p/a
Savings so far = £4,277.20
Presents - massive saving here as have managed to buy every present at least 50% less than I'd normally spend per person, just by shopping around, buying in sales and planning. (Xmas shopping almost done :rotfl: )
Using Quidco - first month's payment due any day = £27.41
Opened A&L account (sadly Quidco didn't track it), but still got £50 rec-a-friend
Clearing garage - sold old appliances = £200
Still gathering stuff for a car boot sale = £?
The upshot of the above, is that I'm paying @ £680 a month to cc's (was £450), saving enough for the all the annual bills and am enjoying more home cooking than ever!
The other good news is that I've just broken through the £10K barrier on one of my cc's! It's the highest APR (5.5% LOB) and biggest amount.
The next milestone is breaking through the £20K debt barrier, which should be in July! But I need to keep focused!
The outgoings that got kicked into touch since coming here and taking onboard everyone's advice (thank you all) :
Orange reduced £25 p/m contract to PAYG @ £10 a month = saving of £180 p/a
Sky £21 p/m - GONE = saving of £252 p/a
Current account £15 p/m, changed to free account = saving of £180 per year
Income Protection £45.61 p/month - GONE - moved £40 of it to Reg Saver (at 10% for 1yr)
Life Assurance £18.90 p/month - GONE - saving of £226.80
Car insurance - reduced from £35.11 p/m, changed insurer and reduced to £21.91 (though paid in one go) = saving of £158.40
Weekly shop reduced from £60 p/wk last autumn to £20 max p/w now = saving of £2080 p/a:eek:
Smoking - £100 p/m - GONE - Quit on 1st April = £1,200 p/a
Savings so far = £4,277.20
Presents - massive saving here as have managed to buy every present at least 50% less than I'd normally spend per person, just by shopping around, buying in sales and planning. (Xmas shopping almost done :rotfl: )
Using Quidco - first month's payment due any day = £27.41
Opened A&L account (sadly Quidco didn't track it), but still got £50 rec-a-friend
Clearing garage - sold old appliances = £200
Still gathering stuff for a car boot sale = £?
The upshot of the above, is that I'm paying @ £680 a month to cc's (was £450), saving enough for the all the annual bills and am enjoying more home cooking than ever!
The other good news is that I've just broken through the £10K barrier on one of my cc's! It's the highest APR (5.5% LOB) and biggest amount.
The next milestone is breaking through the £20K debt barrier, which should be in July! But I need to keep focused!
Back on the DFW Wagon:
CC - £3,300 on 0% til 04/2020
CC - £4,500 on 0% til 02/2019
Loan - £12,063.84 as at 4/1/18
CC - £3,300 on 0% til 04/2020
CC - £4,500 on 0% til 02/2019
Loan - £12,063.84 as at 4/1/18
0
Comments
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Wow - Ali-OK some massive savings there :j
Well done & keep up the good work
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As you say I think the biggest problem for most of us is staying motivated.
I too have slipped a bit since Jan & need to get my eye back on the ball.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.0 -
Well done Ali, its truly inspiring how much you've saved in just 2 months :beer:
Keep up the good work & your dfd will be here before you know it!
:T:T:T0 -
Well done - that is loads of savings - wow!
I agree focus is hard at the mo, but it all helps!
Sea xxCCCS DMP:Feb 07
Total:£37,016.47 now £0 DEBT FREE FEB 14
2022 Decluttering Campaign 49/10110 -
Well done - you've done so much.
Think how much closer the DFD will be.The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese :cool:0 -
The food saving has really shocked me! I always looked at it as a weekly saving, had no idea that it was over £2K per year until I worked it out just now!
Oh, and it's annual salary review in July, so fingers crossed for that one!
The trouble with shopping is that it's not hard work, but free stuff like 3 mile walks, spring cleaning, car cleaning and gardening are! :rotfl: Think that's partly why the motivation is dimming!
Ooh, forgot to add sold an old mobile phone for £22.91 via https://www.envirofone.com too!Back on the DFW Wagon:
CC - £3,300 on 0% til 04/2020
CC - £4,500 on 0% til 02/2019
Loan - £12,063.84 as at 4/1/180 -
WOW! and let me say again WOW!:T
that is fantastic and very inspirational.
I have done a few things since my lightbulb moment but i think i have had as many slips as steps forward so this post has really made me rethink things and even more determined, although not sure i fill be able to save anywhere near that much but just knowing it can be possible has really given me a bit of a kick in the behind.Success means having to worry about every thing in the world......EXCEPT MONEY. Johnny Cash
Cross stitch Cafe member 81.0 -
Hi Ali-Ok,
You truly are a superstar - a big well done! Stories like these really help to keep me motivated - keep it up girl!
I have new found respect for you after hearing about your *ahem* late night last night! Good on you - free fun!
scottishspendaholic xMBNA = £4,000 / Next = £925 (approx. tbc on 19/8)
Tesco = £2,910.11 / Smile overdraft = £500
Bank of Scotland = £2,782.830 -
scottishspendaholic wrote:Hi Ali-Ok,
You truly are a superstar - a big well done! Stories like these really help to keep me motivated - keep it up girl!
I have new found respect for you after hearing about your *ahem* late night last night! Good on you - free fun!
scottishspendaholic x
Thanks Scottish!
:rotfl: Oh dear about the last bit..I forgot this was a public forum and not a 1-2-1 conversation!!Back on the DFW Wagon:
CC - £3,300 on 0% til 04/2020
CC - £4,500 on 0% til 02/2019
Loan - £12,063.84 as at 4/1/180 -
Well done Ali-Ok.
It is just so difficult to stay on track and to stay motivated. And you are doing it!
Your story and many others keep me motivated, although I have to admit that I have fallen off the wagon every now an then. No point in beating myself butactually using the experience to learn.
Keep up the motivation.0
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