Headcase's Debt diary

headcase

I've decided to do a diary of paying off my debts as well as losing weight and increasing my income. So, not alot to do. I done a list of all my debts and direct debits as well as a balance sheet. Looks terrible. This week I'm getting in touch with credit card ( Halifax ) to either reduce interest rate or move away. Also looking a direct debits and the aim to reduce the amounts on gas/ elec'y and couple of other ones too. The weight - well to eat less and healthier and excerise more - for now. Work - I'm self employed and get paid weekly to need to increase income. I have got about £70000 of debt and £30000 not debt but I need to pay back. The weight front I would need to lose about 5 stone. 18 stone male. Thye biggest challange is I'm always been in debt, depressed off and on and over weight, I have to change my attuitude to most things so I can be strong and determined to do this. One of my helps is putting on a weekly or so diary for support and to help others in need. I'm in ajob which i can earn good money so i can do this within a certain time period. So here goes.........

loubie_lou

All the best headcase:beer:

headcase

This weekend my O/H and self are going through all our finances- getting our bank statements upto date, list all debts and direct debits and..... well our lightbulb moment together. That will take all weekend. Then get a list of all things to sort out, no doubt pages and pages of stuff we like to do in getting the stuff sorted. Then list increasing our income. Then the usual arguing, let u know on Monday whats what. Also let u know how much weight lost in week too... we using the slimming world mag for exciting meals and lots of excerise too.

Dolly_Smith

both my OH and I are not the slimmest in the world. I've found (since reading this board) that buying fresh food and cooking from scratch every night has firstly saved loads of money (cut my shopping bill by half for the past two weeks) but has also helped us lose a bit of weight.

Here's a recipe I did the other night - red peppers stuffed with rice, mushrooms, onions and a bit of bacon and roasted chicken. Cost? £4 for two people and we were stuffed!

headcase

lost 3lb this week, but its the 2nd week. But its a start. i feel much better. Cycle with my son to Mon to Wed', swimming twice a week and football on Sat'. ust got to keep up as well as eating healthly. To the debts. We have just got to upto date with or accounts - make a sorry reading. I think a heavy discussion to come tonighti t will take about 4 days to get the accounts sorted, then the list of everything to O/H and amounts to pay back. Later this week to start to look aT all direct debits to save some money here an there. We are also looking for farmer markets locally ( in Leeds ) instead of our local tesco's. In fact the local butchers is cheaper than Tesco's for meat and tastas a lot better. Get back late this week. Bye..................

Dolly_Smith

you'll be amazed at how many DDs you can cancel without any real trouble - I was paying silly little amounts here and there and saved over £50 a month with a few simple clicks of the mouse!

headcase

ye, its easy to cancel all direct debits. The money we pay to service the debts, It feels like a prison sentence - with no early release..
As I said.we have cut done to the bone and all things but its the likes of say - gas, elecity, B&C etcc we can cut down.
The only way out is earn more money, cut down the costs, rain in the spending ( within reason ) and pay of the debts. Sounds depressing......

Verbatim

Well done on the weight loss headcase and on getting all your stuff sorted.

lynzpower

Hey headcase

Did you do your SOA yet, or did you decide not to post it

headcase

i done the SOA and a list of direct debits for myself. Showing and going through the amounts tonight with my O/H. Should make an interesting chat!!!!
We intend to get a grap on it and make plans by earning more money, cutting down on stuff and recliaming bank charges. Its going to be very hard but i'll let youknow.........

headcase

P.S reason for the delay for posting stuff is getting the acoounts upto date and checking bank statements. Now thats upto date can go onto next bit....