Chops Chipping the credit card debt!!

chops22

A busy day for me today....so supose I really should get dressed as still sat drinking tea in my pj's!

I have decided that thursdays are going to be the food shop day, as its my day off. So have done a meal plan for next week, and done a list. I think It should all come to about £30.

Have made a little extra cash on Topcashback, as I have done the majority of mums xmas shopping for her on line. She has been on holiday (scince sept!!! lucky thing!) and is happy for me to keep the cashback as its saved her trapsing round the shops.

We have spent £33 over budget this week, so only have £67 this week for shopping and general house keeping. This does not include petrol as this comes out of a seperate account.

I have also been playing around with the snowball, and if I overpay credit cards by £300 a month rather than £200 it only knocks 5 months off our DFD.

So I think Its going to be better to aim to overpay by just £200 (making it £700 a month on debt payments a month). Giving us a bit of breathing space to still have some kind off a life. The other £100 I am planning to bank, as just in case money.

chops22

Evening, did not make it to the shops, so a NS day for me.:j

Have made my lunch for tomorrow , and put an oats so simple in my bag for breaky. So hopefully a NSD at work to.

A few more jobs to do tonight, and then an early night I think. For some reason the bingo site wouldn't accept my card to credit the account? So a bit odd , might have one more go.

Pleased with today, OH is impressed with the spending diary, and that is encouraging. Although he still keeps switching rather than using cash...but he rome was not built in a day ehh

chops22

I am very proud to say that today is the first friday ever that I have taken my own lunch to work:Tand I have not spent a penny today.

Not even a bar of choc did I buy!! :A

My bank account is looking very unhealthy though, I am thinking maybe I need to pay off the overdraft next month rather than chuck everything at the credit card?

I really don't know which is best. But seeing those minus balances makes it feel like I have such a ountain to climb.:mad:

Busy day tomorrow, going to try morrisons for my shopping, and the kids have a few clubs to go to in the morning...then planning on doing some baking in the afternoon.

This weeks meal plans have been very sucessful, and I have enoyed not having that 4pm panic of AGGHHH whats for tea!!!:eek:

chops22

Been a busy old day for us, took boys to golf, then straight on to shopping.

I am sooo happy to say I managed to spend £14.60 at the butchers, got lovely bit of beef, some braising steak and 4 chicken breasts. So pleased as have put half of the chicken in the freezer, and the braising steak will make a supper sized stew so plenty to pop in the freezer.

Then spent another £24 on pack up bits, cheese, ham, milk, bread, pasta, tins etc. And a further £7 on cleaning stuff and loo roll...got 16 rolls on offer for £4..no more andrex for the us chops. Just hope its not to cheap and nasty and ends up being false economy. So weeks shop for under £45.

However in a strange way I really do think we are eating better than before, just not binning lettuce and mushrooms on a regular basis (shameful!) . Where that extra £30 a week went on shopping went I don't know???? And we ate takeout fairly often too..

So happy chops today, feel so much more organised..fab!!

chops22

Did not sleep very well, as It occured to me I am not being realistic about the amount of debt I have.

I had not accounted for the overdraft (£1600 at the moment), the small Tesco credit card (600). Although I do try to pay this off each month, its not always possible. Also have an additions account, that is buy now pay later...the later is April, so need to have saved enough to pay that straight off.

So I have around £4k more debt than I originally thought. The fact that I had not realised how much debt I truely have makes me even more determined to change my spending.

Off to hang the washing out now and do the veg for later. I am looking forward to a lovely roast today. I am also going to attemot to make some choc Muffins and a cornflake tart. Yummy!!

chops22

I am on a massive diet...my clothes are getting so tight and I refuse to buy anymore. Especially as if I can lost a stone I will be able to fit in lots of lovely stuff I already have...but can not get my jelly belly in!! (can't find a fat smiley!!)

It will have to start tomorrow tho , as OH just told me he is taking me out for dinner tonight , and has sorted a babysitter and everything. He also has saved the cash from his monthly spends to pay for it!!

Bless him, and here's me thinking he was not listening to me regarding budgeting etc x:T

miemie

Hi chops, loving the diary and well done for the changes you have already made.

I've just started my diet today, i got on the wii fit last night not been on it since september and i have put on 10lbs, feel like such a heifer. i must loose weight,especially as i have some really nice dresses to wear to christmas parties that are coming up, but i can't get in them.

Hope you enjoy your meal out tonight and bless your OH saving his spends to take you out.

chops22

Hi Miemie :hello: thanks for dropping by, good luck on your diet..you can do it!! I hate the mini mii on my wii fit, it looks like a weeble!!

My goal is to lose 10lbs for xmas..its not going to be easy but I have 21 days to just eat healthy and actually get my butt on the bike and running machine!!

I had a fantastic night last night, it was lovely to have a bit of time together. As some weeks it feels like we are ships that pass in the night. This time of year is so busy too.

Not at work today, so going to :

* try and tidy up (decorating so the entire house feels a mess!!)

* check online banking

*check cashback... have some transactions that are payable soon.

* Write my overseas xmas cards...and post them this week ( do not leave them floating about in handbag till end of december )

* Keep supplying OH with tea to help the decorating process!!

* Make shepheards pie with left over roast beef, and swede and carrot topping....I shall be thin!

miemie

Glad you had a good night out and hope you get all your jobs done today.

chops22

Cashback still not payable :mad: I had mentaly paid that of the Natwest!!

I have made the tonights tea and also tomorrows , as I am at work, so thought that will save some time.

Put some washing away and finally cleared Ironing Mountain!!! Woop Woop:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

I am determind to keep this up to date, as the bigger the pile becomes...the less inclination I have to tackle it!!

I have supplied OH with losts off tea, admired his painting and sanding skills.

Also signed up to O2 Simplicity at £20 a month, usually pay £15 a month and run out of credit after three weeks...I have also reduced our home telephone package saving £4 a month. (as have lots of free minutes and skype now). So only paying an extra £1 a month but should get £100 cashback. SO think this is mse..ish