Any help welcome

jamesd

Yes, that debt-free feeling is a good one. You'll still worry sometimes for a few years, probably, even though it'll be unnecessary. But maybe a useful reminder of where you've been.

joolsybools

Hey raphael,
It would be great to see how you are doing now compared to when you first posted. Apologies if you have already done this recently but i have skipped about 10 pages.
I hope things are working out for you - I too got down to a 3 figure credit card amount owing last month and it felt blooming great!

joolsybools

Sorry, just spotted your sig! Good luck, you'll get there!

Madcatgirl

Hi, just been reading through your diary - well done so far, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

I just had a quick thought as I noticed you say early in your diary you don't use your car very often. Have you thought about joining a car club and getting rid of the car? I think you just pay a monthly fee (much cheaper than insurance and mot etc) and petrol that you use? May be worth looking at if you only use a car occasiionally. I park next to a car club space everyday, and the car is always there, so it doesn't look like it's that well used!

Good luck x

x_raphael_xx

Madcatgirl wrote: »

Hi, just been reading through your diary - well done so far, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

I just had a quick thought as I noticed you say early in your diary you don't use your car very often. Have you thought about joining a car club and getting rid of the car? I think you just pay a monthly fee (much cheaper than insurance and mot etc) and petrol that you use? May be worth looking at if you only use a car occasiionally. I park next to a car club space everyday, and the car is always there, so it doesn't look like it's that well used!

Good luck x

Hmmm interesting concept! I use my car about 1-2 times a week, and I guess I just like the freedom of being able to jump in at 3am and drive up to Asda etc.
Plus it's nice to be able to take Shadow up on the moors or to the beach on a whim.

Turtle

Hello raphael, just read whole thread, you're going great guns! Not far to go now. jamesd incredibly helpful too - good man! Might come searching you out if I need maths thingies working out:T you're brill!

x_raphael_xx

Hey all, just a quick note to say I am still here, and happy and healthy. I've just been very busy with the run up to Christmas and at work. I will be posting properly soon.

Hugs all and Merry Christmas

x_raphael_xx

Right, quick catch up.

I've not been trying too hard on the MSE and weight loss front.
I haven't lost any more weight, but despite enjoying quite a few biscuits and chocs (and all manner of xmas goodies) I've still managed to maintain my current weight, and not put any on.
On the money front it's not been too bad, I've spent a little more than I should but my credit card still has £700 on it, and my bank account is in the black.

Christmas is upon us and I'm all ready for it. All my gifts have been bought and are sitting wrapped under the tree. My house is clean and decorated for when my brother, his girlfriend and my Granma come round on Sunday for their Christmas dinner. I'm cooking roast chicken, I don't really like turkey. Then on Christmas day I'm cooking myself a pork roast, and having my friend over for more pressys!!

I probably won't post now until the new year, January 4th is my birthday and I'll be driving up to spend it with my dad. I always take a week off work for my birthday, and I don't usually start my New Years resolutions until my leave finishes.
So what are my plans for 2008??

2008 is the year I pay off all my debts. I plan to be very frugal and squeeze out every penny I can, I reckon I can pay off my next debt in April, March if I can grab extra shifts and rein in any unneeded spending. I'm still trying to decide whether to pay off my credit card, or pay off HFC 2.
Even though HFC has the lowest interest rate, it's the biggest loan (£1798.44 right now) and paying it off will free up £85 a month.
I think what I will do is save the spare cash in a seperate savings account, then see what the settlement figure for HFC 2 will be in March. If I don't have enough I will put all the money onto the credit card and continue paying that off.

Cutting down on the spending will also mean I can seriously work on losing weight. If I buy less food I can't eat it!

So they are my two main aims for 2008.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas, and a fantastic moneysaving New Year.
I'll catch up with you all soon.

x_raphael_xx

I have lost my voice!!
I did call (croak) in sick yesterday, I was supposed to be working overnight. The manager said he would cover my shift, but by the afternoon I was bored and going spare! I couldn't face a night at home doing nothing, as well as missing 8 hours pay!
So I rang him back and said if he could get someone to answer the radio (I work in a taxi office) I would come in.

My voice is slightly better today, and I'm glad I went in last night. I am expecting my next two wage packets to be huge! I did 7 days last week, Christmas and Boxing day were both double time. And this week I will be paid double time for New Years Eve & NY Day. As I get paid a week in arrears I will get 66 hours paid this friday (my 24th Birthday) and 64 hours the next!

Hopefully this will mark the beginning of a prosperous year for me. My first dinner of the New Year will be a healthy baked Bass, and hopefully this will also mark the start of a healthier, weight free year too.

P.s...Forgot to say, I didn't get a terrimundi from my brother for Christmas!! I'm hoping he is teasing me and will give me one for my birthday, but I won't hold my breath! If not I will buy one using the birthday money from my mum.

x_raphael_xx

Hey all, I've decided to start a new thread from tomorrow (new year, new thread, fresh start ) so this will be the last post of the year (New thread here.)

2007 has been very good on the whole, I've paid off 2 loans and got rid of my overdraft. My view towards my debts is more positive and I don't view them as a black cloud over my head.
Control over my finances has also changed my general attiude to most aspects of my life, I have lost weight, and become calmer, I no longer flip at the smallest thing and turn into an ogre.

I've found great support on this site, and from my family & friends. I want to wish you all a