Living My Life But(t) N.A.K.E.D.

Swinstie73

Well, I am officially Gutted - took another chance and called the cruise to see if there had been any cancellations - not only is it fully booked but there is a HUGE waiting list incase anyone cancels!

One bit of good news though, I have provisionally booked the 11th November 2011 for our wedding at the registry office, couldn't believe it was free. Anyway, will speak to OH tomorrow night when he is down and we will confirm whether we want this date, it was either that or the day before we fly to Barbados. The 11th is a Friday so we could have our nice family meal/party as well and be done with it. Do you ever think, the first plans we thought of we should've kept to? Hoping the venue we had picked originally will be available, even if only a small party room. I'm determined to still keep the costs down though as don't want it out of control, and that means guests as well.

Feeling a bit more positive and savings should be on target too. Phew!

romylou_2

Hey Swinstie at least your anniversary will be easy to remember (for him not you) being 11/11/11! My DH has our wedding date inscribed on his wedding ring so he will not forget it.:rotfl:

Nottoobadyet

Oh no, so many changes! At least this way you can wear some fabulous heels, which is well worth it in my book.

Swinstie73

Well it's official people, 11/11/11 has been booked, woohoo!

Now all we need to do is decide where we are going for a family dinner - there will be maximum 15 so we're just thinking of booking something nearer the time for a nice meal (we'll be paying) then we will say to friends etc., that they are welcome to join us for a drink or three. I'll probably get changed after the meal - we'll be staying somewhere then we'll just have a small party. No cake, no decorations, no balloons, no favours or chair covers. Just a nice sit-down meal with family, bliss.

We were gutted that Barbados won't happen but this way everyone can be there - we worked out marrying in Barbados would still work out a couple of thousand by the time we booked the planner, bought outfits and rings and had a meal once home, so will work hard to not spend much, if any more. Exciting times ahead, must get head down now and get final debt paid.

Have a nice (rainy) day everyone x

Swinstie73

Ok, so off work tomorrow a it's September weekend (actually of til next Thursday), thought I'd stay up late, watch some tv, get some of the house done, but no, I am off to bed shortly as can hardly keep my eyes open. Too much activity today I think.

Well, we have found our restaurant for dinner as well, going to go for a lunch or dinner just to sample it, but it looks lovely. And they have a lovely room we can use privately (and can even decorate), so there may well be a cake and a few tasteful decos just to make it a bit more weddingy. Think we will book just now as knowing our luck the date will get booked and it's ideal for what we want. Quite near the registry office (unless it has moved by then) and also near the hotel we're planning on staying in. Perfect!

Just need to decide nearer the time, well maybe after Christmas if having a best man and bridesmaid i.e. OH's son and my niece (nephew can hold onto rings), don't want to leave him out really. Or keep it simple (and cheaper) and not bother with BMan or BMaid. Decisions, decisions. Don't think we'll do the renewal of vows in Barbados, just more money to wear dress again but on a beach this time.

Payday tomorrow, can't wait to get all my payments made for this month and my loan settlement figure sorted so I can get it paid off. Well off to bed now, before my head hits the keyboard. Night all x

Swinstie73

Morning all (sorry I mean afternoon) - I only got up at 1pm - oops! I know I wanted a long lie but that was ridiculously long.

Well, so far have had breakfast whilst watching last week's Private Practice, put a wash on, ruined two tops by stupidly putting a RED cardigan in with the colours! How are you supposed to wash things for fear of the colours running, eh?

Anyway, pay-day today and I have checked my Visa and my balance transfers have taken place which technically means I don't NEED to make any payments this month as they have covered it, but I have paid £245.45 to my Barclaycard which is now sitting at £350.

My actual balance is only £122 as the rest is stuff I have bought for the wedding so I will get that money from the Wedding Fund, and £59 of it is money OH owes me for the shoes he bought me for Christmas.

Also will pay £250 to Halifax but just want to check the DD doesn't come off, it shouldn't but will wait and see, so that CC is sitting at a big fat £0 - yeehah paid off (well transferred but whose bothering).

Also (I am on a roll), I got my settlement figure for my loan, so after this months payment, I will owe £2519.06 - only a saving of £101 but it's better than nothing, so I need to find another £219 as I only have £2300 saved up. The amount is valid until 22 October so should be ok with that.

So people, with my loan paid off and by balance transferred for six months, I have a grand total of £2659.50 of debt - woohoo!!!!! This is around £445 per month if I pay if over 6 months, £531 over 5 months or £664.75 over 4 months. I was currently paying around £600 per month anyway so this should be doable. It will definitely be paid off by the 6 months. Off to update my siggie now, feels great (as long as I don't go on mad spending sprees that is).

Swinstie73

Ok, so why is it that when you get money in one hand (loan money) it goes straight back out (well almost) - new back box for my exhaust at £64!

Noticed a few days ago, my exhaust sounded loud, so on the way to the gym this morning, like a half shut knife cos didn't sleep good, the noise got worse and lo and behold rattling very loudly. Came home, as was scared to go any further, called sister to tell her couldn't make gym then headed to the garage. Sat in the waiting room, freeeeezing, they had a heater with a foot long cable on the plug and the nearest socket was about three feet away, duh!

Anyway exhaust fixed, luckily was just the back box, drove home but thought it was still rattling, called the garage, went back to garage (the heatshield had fell - whatever that is), went to mum's for a visit - ate a teddy cake my niece made then home for a nice shower and now sitting in my jammies at half past three on a Saturday, what a day! OH has gone to Edinburgh to meet some mates, will be home after six, Chinese tonight for dinner or maybe not as I had a dodgy tum last night - thinking it might be nerves even though not getting married til next November, weird eh!

Anyway off for a cuppa with some tv, and some relaxation.

Swinstie73

Evening all,

Having a bit of a nightmare, now I know why I've never been married before! First of all, although my Mum isn't interfering perse, she is making mention of people I should be inviting to the wedding, people I have never seen or heard from in years (just because they are the eldest cousins). Now this makes sense as I have a trillion cousins/second cousins, but honestly, I NEVER see them.

Secondly, just been on the website for the registry office and it mentions, what to keep in mind when writing your vows, !!!!!!! I thought you just repeated after the registrar! I'm really not into public speaking AT ALL, and just want to run away now. Can't believe the flights for the cruise are rubbish or it would be done and dusted in Barbados! I'm actually feeling like I can't do this, OH is the same, he's gutted Barbados hasn't worked out for us. Help!

urg123

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Morning all (sorry I mean afternoon) - I only got up at 1pm - oops! I know I wanted a long lie but that was ridiculously long.

Sounds like you needed the rest after all the excitement!

Well, so far have had breakfast whilst watching last week's Private Practice, put a wash on, ruined two tops by stupidly putting a RED cardigan in with the colours! How are you supposed to wash things for fear of the colours running, eh?

Oops!

Anyway, pay-day today and I have checked my Visa and my balance transfers have taken place which technically means I don't NEED to make any payments this month as they have covered it, but I have paid £245.45 to my Barclaycard which is now sitting at £350.

My actual balance is only £122 as the rest is stuff I have bought for the wedding so I will get that money from the Wedding Fund, and £59 of it is money OH owes me for the shoes he bought me for Christmas.

Also will pay £250 to Halifax but just want to check the DD doesn't come off, it shouldn't but will wait and see, so that CC is sitting at a big fat £0 - yeehah paid off (well transferred but whose bothering).

Also (I am on a roll), I got my settlement figure for my loan, so after this months payment, I will owe £2519.06 - only a saving of £101 but it's better than nothing, so I need to find another £219 as I only have £2300 saved up. The amount is valid until 22 October so should be ok with that.

So people, with my loan paid off and by balance transferred for six months, I have a grand total of £2659.50 of debt - woohoo!!!!! This is around £445 per month if I pay if over 6 months, £531 over 5 months or £664.75 over 4 months. I was currently paying around £600 per month anyway so this should be doable. It will definitely be paid off by the 6 months. Off to update my siggie now, feels great (as long as I don't go on mad spending sprees that is).

OMG Swinstie - that is brilliant! Why don't you stick your debt amount on a post-it in your purse. Maybe you'll be able to avoid those sprees.

If you were able to pay 664.75 pm for the next 4 months - you would be debt free in Jan. How amazing - give yourself a pat on the back girl!

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Well it's official people, 11/11/11 has been booked, woohoo!

Now all we need to do is decide where we are going for a family dinner - there will be maximum 15 so we're just thinking of booking something nearer the time for a nice meal (we'll be paying) then we will say to friends etc., that they are welcome to join us for a drink or three. I'll probably get changed after the meal - we'll be staying somewhere then we'll just have a small party. No cake, no decorations, no balloons, no favours or chair covers. Just a nice sit-down meal with family, bliss.

We were gutted that Barbados won't happen but this way everyone can be there - we worked out marrying in Barbados would still work out a couple of thousand by the time we booked the planner, bought outfits and rings and had a meal once home, so will work hard to not spend much, if any more. Exciting times ahead, must get head down now and get final debt paid.

Have a nice (rainy) day everyone x

Real shame about Barbados but at least you've got a fantastic plan in place now. I really like your simple plan.

Looking forward to hearing the plans - don't let your mum stress you out too much. Somehow, weddings can get very stressful, even if you try to keep it simple, or perhaps because you want to keep it simple!.

urg xx

Swinstie73

Thanks for the encouragement urg, I have been a bit spendy recently, had my eye on pair of worky boots for the winter and seen a pair in Next but at £65 a bit more than I want to pay. So, I am only going to buy them, once my debt is down to £1K, which hopefully will be by Christmas. I already bid on a brand new pair of peep toes on ebay but were only £13.50 and OH is going to pay for them for my birthday, got a bit of an obsession with Nine West shoes just now, oops!

Anyway, just been for my facial this morning, had a half price voucher from the salon I go to, dated March but for six months (or so I thought), went to pay and she said it was only a March promotion (I had asked when I booked if it was ok to use and was told yes), so she kindly gave me it for half price which was good, but I won't make that mistake again. Might hand in a box of choccies as well to say thanks as she could've charged me full price.

Home and having lunch just now, then will get some of the house done, not venturing near any shops and will stay off ebay, I promise.

Have a nice day everyone x