Mrs A's Debt Diary

Mrs_A.

hi
this is how the story began in january
Hi all, i have been lurking around here for several months but have finally decided to sort out my finances.
ok so far this is what i have done
began spending diary on week 3 now
cancelled all direct debits to things i can live without except £41.00 per month to gym as they wont let me said im contracted till april 06.
everyone in the family is now taking a packed lunch me, husband son 1 17yrs, son 2 16yrs and son 3 15 yrs.
began menu planning currently on week 3
opened a graduate bank account with a free £2000 overdarft.
down graded my current account that cost me £12 per month to a bog standard current account.
i currently commute 56 miles per day to work so have slowed down a bit to try and save petrol.
bought a slow cooker, having fun experimenting with recipes on index thread
likewise a breadmaker and dont buy bread or rolls anymore.
keeping a record of this months shopping receipts to see where i can cut back currently on week 3.
gave up smoking cigarettes moved down to rolling my own as can get cheap tobacco.
changed electricity supplier.
i havent done a budget yet i thought i would do the month spending diary and see what it looks like from there

ok from my free overdraft i clearied by credit card balance of £779.76 and terminated the account, had applied for a balance transfer at beginning of this month and not heard anything presuming i got declined.
moved the rest of free overdraft into savings account until i know what else to do with it.
here is a rough soa.
car loan £3195.73. (dunno apr).
bank loan £9258.24 Recently refinanced this from 60 months to 30.
finance company for suite £988.00 0%apr tilll dec 06 then 29.9%apr which i definately wont want to pay.


this however is what happened as of today
spend the free overdraft money on don't know what
havent saved anything for the suite yet
the new electricity supplier now charges me £74 per month
menu planning went out the window cos i got bored
never done the budget still havent if im honest
went back to smoking real ciggarettes
now pay one of my sons to cook dinners every night £10 per week
grocery shoppping has went off the scale and i began texting like mad again
on a lighter note
changed jobs with a promotion so earning slightly more just started this week but the commute is now 48 miles daily
did cancel the gym membership
spending diary now recomenced
to anyone reading this it looks like i dont really want to help myself
but im just lacking the motivation and will power and hope that by recording things here it may help
thanks to anyone who reads and has further suggestions
regards
Mrs A

milliejon

Well done for having the courage to face up! You've already done really well, and got your debt down by nearly £4,000 since January. This is fantastic. Stop beating yourself up. Take stock of the good things you've managed to do so far, and deal with the things you need to get a grip of.

Do you have the backing of your family in your efforts? This is really important.

Best of luck, and keep going!

PeachPickle

4 grand in 6 months is great, you're being too hard on yourself mrs A!

Why do you have to pay your son to cook tho?

funkymonkey

congratulations on your £4K! that is such a fantastic difference!

I went from smoking 40 per day to 0 with the alan carr book! if you are thinking of giving up read the book! it has saved me loads and given me so much energy and given me loads of confidence! if i can do that i can do anything!

Mrs_A.

Why do you have to pay your son to cook tho? [/QUOTE]


because he is nearly 16 and only earns around £15 per month and i never really spend any money on him, he never goes out and doesnt even have a mobile he just likes his nintendo as his hobby and i feel sorry for him to be honest its just a deal that we made cos Mr A and i both work full time and i do shifts it just seemed easier at the time

dottyanne

Well Mrs.A at least your giving your son money for actually helping around the house which is teaching him that money doesnt grow on trees and he is actually having to earn this by in effect 'working' for you. This will do him no harm at all if you can afford to pay him to do this then go for it. Also I think youve had a great start and then a small relapse - i was the same tbh, i had my lightbulb moment at the end of March and was like an eager beaver at first - then waned off a little and now im going for it big time - however i feel i need the help of the CCCS as im a bit stuck and need a little help - if its on offer and free id be stupid not to get it? You are doing really well with your £2 and 20p saving too so you should feel proud of yourself!! You go girl!! dottyanne xxx

Mrs_A.

thank you everyone not only for reading but for taking the time to offer support and encouragement and not critisism.
regards
Mrs A

OberonSH

yay @ you and your £4k!!!! That's fan bl**dy tastic lady!!! At least you've caught the drift, and are stopping it before sliding back to your old habits. That's a sure shift in money perception if ever we saw it.

Seems we've all gotton a bit lazy recently, so reckon you shouldn't be too hard on yourself, we all need a virtual kick up the rear.

MinnieSpender

I think you're fab, Mrs A. Well done on the 4k and for encouraging the new generation of Jamie Olivers! His future OH will thank you forever!

southernscouser

Mrs_A. wrote:

ok from my free overdraft i clearied by credit card balance of £779.76 and terminated the account

I love the way you say terminated the account Mrs A!

Not closed or cancelled but terminated! Sounds like you are killing the debt! I'm definately gonna use that one! :T

tired_mum

good for you 4k is great so pat yourself on the back and get back on board the odd week off wont do you any harm and you now realise how easy it is to slip back so welcome back