new to site and would love to have your feedback

Louise06_2

Hi again
Thanks for your advice so far - i have started a spending diary today and filled in my spending since tuesday. It is so strange writing everything down. I thought i had been cutting back as much as i could, but actually knowing i would have to write everything i buy has made such a difference. It has also already made me realise that i spend alot of my money on other people, food and snacks at work. I will definately try and make myself some packed lunches from now on.

thanks for the snowballing calculator and info - will be trying it out shortly.
Also thanks for barclay card info.

i really want to get it right this time, i have tried to start spending less a few times but never actually counted everything i owed or tried to budget.
With my new job i actually earn more than my out goings which is a great start but not sure what i can actually allow myself to spend.

Is the £50 a month for doc, dentist and birthday/christmas?
i noticed in Spendaholics that they budget everything - should i be allowing myself a budget for treats?

Since i have counted all my debt i go through stages where i feel very positive and at other times i feel guilty for wanting to buy a packet of crisps? this debt is going to take a long time to clear and i know i must stick to it.

also have been looking into some extra work - or some training to increase my earning potential.

look forward to hearing from you soon x

Verbatim

Hi,

Welcome to DFW and congratulations on counting it all up.

First Direct is offering a cc deal at 2.9% for 6 months with no balance transfer fee, which i think wld be better than the Barclays deal. But you don't want to apply for too many cards at once or you'll get refused. As you have a 0% period that then turns into a horrible 26% I'd want to have a plan that meant I'd paid this debt off before the 0% time ended. 0% deals are getting harder to find and maybe there won't be a good deal around in 8 months. Paying off the card with highest APR reduces the time taken to repay all the debts but I don't know if the snowball site allows you to factor in the consequences of paying 26% further down the line.

Can I ask who your 0% is with? (I'll be looking for a new cc to BT to soon).

Louise06_2

the 0% till end of April is with MBNA
the snoballing thing got really confusing when i typed all my debts but when i typed in only the two credit cards debts it did take account of what you said about clearing the O% interest one b4 it went up to 25%

I am off to work now and going try and produce a debt clearing plan and budget.
L

david_hellier

Just tell us all your outgoings and all your income. Be completely honest.