If My Pennies Were Pounds...

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Hi Everyone,

Newbie here, please be nice!

I've been reading the forums here for a little while, and thought I should join as I don't want to be an anonymous lurker following people's lives without them knowing

A little bit about me, I'm 22, living with my OH and we have an 8 month old puppy.

I don't have a lot of debt, just a student loan from when I was at college, and I know that my debt is nothing compared to some of the lovely people on here - but having never had a debt before I would really like to get rid of it...I think my debt is about £1200, but I'm still waiting on the latest statement coming through.

So my main goals are really to get that debt cleared - preferably as soon as possible and get some savings built up.

I'm not sure if I fit in to this section, with my small debt, but it sure would be nice to have someone to talk to on the journey...

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads
Pennies x

elantan

there are people here that dont owe any money and still keep a diary ... you more than fit in here ... welcome to diary world ... we hope your stay will be fun and your debt will disappear .. wow sounded like an air stewardess there

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Thanks elantan.

Maybe my talk of the journey brought out the stewardess in you?! :rotfl: If you could please point out my emergency exits and what to do if my journey ever takes an unexpected nosedive!

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

I seem to be reading mixed opinions regarding having savings whilst also having debt.

So my question is, in your honest opinion, do you think it would be ok for me to start some savings whilst still repaying my student loan?

Answers on paper please!

elantan

honestly yes i do ... student debt is usually one of the last debts to go as it is generally lower interest than the rest ... and you dont have to pay it off till you earn over (i think) 16K ... savings are always handy for those emergency exits (please take the next on the left ... yes thats right ... right next to the i.s.a) that keep cropping up from time to time car/ cat/dentist etc etc... i think if you were struggling and not able to afford your debt then it would be a different story

elantan

and if the journey takes and unexpected nose dive ... ensure your seat is in the upright position brace yourself ... ride it out ... then come back fighting

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Thanks elantan and beanielou.

Well I didn't have a very MSE night last night, I was doing so well with Monday and Tuesday both being NSDs, but then my sister asked me to go to water aerobics with her.

I must add at this point that I have been saying I will get fit since January and not bothered once - my excuse being that because we got the puppy I would be walking her and not need any other form of fitness :rotfl:

Anyway, getting back to the point, when we got there they had an offer on at the leisure centre, a two month trial, £33 buy one month get one free, no contract and no direct debit. So effectively £16.50 a month and that gives you full access to the swimming pool, gym, sauna etc and all adult fitness classes.

Considering the aqua aerobics are £4.80 a class I thought this was a good deal, so I signed up .

And it's not going to be a NSD today either as I had to buy my lunch at work (I usually go home at lunch time to see to the pup), my day has been so hectic that I just had to grab a sandwich and work at my desk. Plus it's puppy training tonight, £2 for that, and I'm pretty sure we need bread...

Not a great start to this saving lark eh?!

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Oh and I forgot to say, I got in touch with the Student Loan people last night.

I last spoke to them in the middle of May and they informed me that they we going to send out the information of my balance and also details for repaying online (apparently they have a dedicated website that you can make overpayments to).

Anyway, when I spoke to them yesterday, I told them I still hadn't received anything, so all the guy said was that he was chase it up and get me a reply as soon as possible. Helpful...not :mad:

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Ok so I forgot to buy bread last night so yesterday's spends were only:

£2.40 - lunch bought from the stupid shop near work
£2 - puppy training classes

= £4.40 which isn't too bad I think, considering Monday and Tuesday were both NSDs.

I'm joining the Virtual Sealed Pot Challenge, have transferred £8.05 today, so my total is £63.82 - will maybe pay this off the student loan, but want to wait until I find out how much I owe.

This weekend won't be a no spend - OH's parents anniversary on Sunday so need to get a gift...

If_My_Pennies_Were_Pounds

Please excuse my silly ramblings to myself! I know that no one else is interested but I'm finding this diary is a good way to keep track of what I'm (read WE) are spending, we figured out the other day that we don't know where most of our wages go!

There have been a few spends today. We had to buy the puppy some new toys as she had wrecked most of her old ones and only had a few of the same variety left, she's still teething so we had to get some more durable ones - which of course are more expensive than others!

Got the anniversary presents for OH's parents.

Out to see Eclipse at the cinema tonight (don't need to pay as we have the unlimited cards) but I think we are going out for our tea too, there is a great place near the cinema that does BOGOF on everything on the menu!