Polesalot's Climb to Debt Freedom

vasseur

We had a lovely day yesterday. Got up earlyish and did an hour of pole as had worked out that one of the reasons I felt so carp was because i hadn't done any proper exercise for a few days. We had lunch and then went for a nice walk - just a short one (4 miles) this time but it cleared some cobwebs.

The blasted 'chav family' who live opposite had a BBQ in their front garden. Unbelievable. The gardens are very small so the naked flames weren't actually very far from the cars parked down the road - one of which was mine. When we got in the car to go out it just stank of BBQ smoke. Effing imbeciles.

We went to a local(ish) pub for BBQ and they had a band on. Walked in to a Pink Floyd cover, then he did Deep Purple, Gary Moore, Rolling Stones...I was in my element.

Today we're off to the coast....where my uncle lived actually. It's not got a sandy beach but it has a lovely high street and the whole placfe is actually quite trendy so we shall have a nice walk along the front and just hope that the sun comes out at some point.

vasseur

I have lost the past 3 days to a migraine It was so bad yesterday my mum took dd for the afternoon. It feels a lot better today although i still feel battered. We are going to sort out the gardens today which we were going to do yesterday but just couldn't manage it. Out front we're just going to buy a hanging basket and do a couple of window boxes, out back needs weeding and if I'm feeling up to it I might re-point the paving slabs.

vasseur

Time to get my sorry backside into gear and sort out the money situation. I have really buried my head in the sand recently. We've had the odd treat here and there and I have bought my self some (much needed) new clothes but at this rate it won't be worth getting paid at the end of the month.

So the plan is:-

Calling in all my debts - approx £40

Taking back a pair of jeans - £45

Claiming back my £65 excess from my broken window from work.

Taking meter readings and seeing if I can get EDF to send me some money back.

Making a concerted effort with survey sites. Now I've got the laptop I could do some in bed of an evening.

Let's see how it goes anyway....

Just been for a run. It was wet underfoot but not actually raining. Exercise always makes me feel better.

vasseur

Well this isn't a very good start. I have forgotten to do the meter readings - could do the electric but dont want to go outside and do the gas - must remember tomorrow.

Have not even looked at any surveys

And also just realised that my 0% runs out on my barclaycard at the end of this month :cool: The balance will be less than £700 by this time next week and I know that is a paltry amount of debt compared to some (most?) on here but I haven't got hardly any wiggle room with the budget at the moment and I am well into my overdraft this month so actual debt is closer to £1000 :o:o

Car also needs taxing at the end of the month so therefore the MOT is due before then. I have £120 put by for this.

Definitely need to keep up with this diary - I definitely slip back into bad habits when I go AWOL....

ZTD

polesalot wrote: »

And also just realised that my 0% runs out on my barclaycard at the end of this month :cool: The balance will be less than £700 by this time next week and I know that is a paltry amount of debt compared to some (most?) on here

Don't compare yourself with others. What's a problem for you, is a problem for you.

polesalot wrote: »

but I haven't got hardly any wiggle room with the budget at the moment and I am well into my overdraft this month so actual debt is closer to £1000 :o:o

So what's your plans for getting medaeval on it then?

polesalot wrote: »

Definitely need to keep up with this diary - I definitely slip back into bad habits when I go AWOL....

But is that why you go AWOL?

pixiechick99

Hi poles hope you're good:D

Not long til your birthday:beer:

vasseur

pixiechick99 wrote: »

Hi poles hope you're good:D

Not long til your birthday:beer:

Hi I'm not too bad thanks pixie. I have just worked out my money for the next month (get paid on Friday) and it isn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. However I have a few nights out planned so they won't be cheap and I have nothing put by for them.

Yes - this time next week I will be 40 :eek: Hope I get some money for my birthday :cool:

vasseur

Financial update

Well I read the meters and the blasted statement came through and they want to put the joint gas and elec bill up to £109 pm :wall: Can't believe my account was in debit by as much as it was. I guess I have had the heating on for farlonger this year. I couldn't be bothered to argue with them but i will do another reading in september so hopefully my account will be well in credit by then.

I got a new iphone 4s at the weekend reducing my contract and also leaving me with a 3GS that i can now sell. I'm hoping for around £100 for that.

Still haven't got my excess back from work although the payment is being processed this afternoon so should have that by Friday. Another £65 to add to my account.

Not had my monthly text from CSA this month...I hope there's not a problem there.....:cool:

I have a handbag I can list on fleabay tonight. Hopefully get about £10 for it.

The grocery budget is going to have to be severely pruned this month. I have been looking on the OS board for inspiration....

I have absolutely nothing saved towards our holiday spends..

In other news....

My pole classes are going really well. My shoulder mount is really quite impressive now. It definitely helps having a pole at home - so long as I can get DD off it

I have got my bike now. It is my 40th birthday present from mum and dad. DD and I went out for our first ride together on saturday. I think we must have managed about 6 miles altogether and I for one really enjoyed it. Everyone we saw was really friendly saying 'good morning' etc - feel like I am a member of a new club DD b1tched all the way back but to be fair her bike doesn't have any gears so it was much harder work for her. I've been chatting with an old school friend who does 12 hour bike races and he said I should go out with him one day...yhhh like I'm going to manage the kind of distances he can do!!! My backside is still sore from saturday.......

Still the male company would be good

ZTD

polesalot wrote: »

My backside is still sore from saturday.......

Still the male company would be good

Quotes to take out of context: No. 731...

ZTD

polesalot wrote: »

Financial update

Well I read the meters and the blasted statement came through and they want to put the joint gas and elec bill up to £109 pm :wall: Can't believe my account was in debit by as much as it was. I guess I have had the heating on for farlonger this year.

If you're going to monitor your usage - spring and autumn is the time to do it. You have checked to see that the reading on your bill is the reading you submitted?

polesalot wrote: »

The grocery budget is going to have to be severely pruned this month. I have been looking on the OS board for inspiration....

They'll teach you how to knit a 3 course meal from twigs. All good stuff...

polesalot wrote: »

I've been chatting with an old school friend who does 12 hour bike races and he said I should go out with him one day...yhhh like I'm going to manage the kind of distances he can do!!!

It may be it takes him twelve hours because he's really, really slow...

polesalot wrote: »

My backside is still sore from saturday.......

Still the male company would be good

Go for it...