Meersy's debt free, healthier & happier life diary

vasseur

I just love My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!

I have managed 2 runs this week. I was going to go today but I have a bit of a headache and it is incredible windy outside. Fair weather runner me! I will spend the time productively looking through these forums

Good luck with your NSDs for this month. So far I am failing miserably....

meersy22

Morning all

OK spends alert

I'm starting this new job on 14th Feb so I decided to hit the shops for some new smart clothes. I currently wear lots of black trousers (tesco/primark) and jumpers. I had a good look at them and my jumpers are all bally and done but ok for current work place as no one sees me. I went through wardrobe on Tues night and was really brutal about assessing what I wear and don't wear. Being very MSE I drew up a list of the things I had and what I could buy to go with them. I'm am such a hoarder.

So purchases were as follows:

• 2 vests (white & black) primark - £3;
• 2 x trousers (Red herring, buy 1 get 1 free) = £12.50;
• black shoes (Peacocks) = £16.00;
• Principles smart top (£30);
• Cardigan (Monsoon) = £22

I also bought pinstripe trousers in New Look and a smart jacket in TK Max but I took them back to shops yesterday as I have plenty of trousers and the jacket was just a bit too big and I new I would not get the wear out of it.

I also used 2 gift cards in Debenhams so the Principles top and red herring trousers cost me = £21.30:T

In total I spent £62.30 and apart from odds and sods that should do me for the rest of the year. (I want a black cardigan but couldn't see any I liked).

I've been out for 3 runs this week and am slowly building up my mileage.

I am currently cleaning out a grill and cooker, oh joy, and I need to go get changed as I'm off to my nephew's birthday party. Have a good day everyone.

meersy22

Hi all,

So sorry, my diary has fallen by the wayside but i've just been that busy and my internet connection is still playing up.

Ok money front, I haven't really spent much this week. I was taken out for lunch yesterday for my leaving do and today I bought some sweets to say thanks to my work colleagues for putting up with me so long:D

I know it's only 5 but I am soo exhausted. I didn't want to walk out of work with things unfinished. I've been in early and staying late all week and today I escaped early at 2. There were a few tears and I think my tiredness comes form the adrenalin of trying to get everything done.

Ok so from tomorrow I'm going to have to get my spending diary out. I hope that with the job change at least for the first few months I will see a reduction in my fuel costs but we shall see.

BF is taking me out tmw night for dinner. He doesn't do Valentines day so he's calling it a pre-new job dinner, whatever makes him happy.

Went to physio/podiatrist and he says I'm clear to start increasing milage and he's signed me off too:T

Tonight shall be a wee glass of red wine and an early night.

meersy22

Morning all

Went to bed early last night with a couple of painkillers. The tiredness settled into a nice headache so feel bleurrggh.

Anyhow up early today, sitting here having a tea and then I'm going to the forest to run a few miles before I take on the world

I've also been sitting here with my budget trying to figure out where to put the extra 140 from my car loan when it finishes next month. I'd like to put it into clothes and handbags but that got me where I am today:o. So going to put 100 into savings and the other 40 towards my windows debt. I want to have a cushion to fall back on if things break down etc.

I am also rate free for the next 2 months but I will save that money towards my MOT and car insurance which are due in March & April. I would love to know now what my rates will be for 2011. Don't those people know I have an MSE budget to plan:D

So today's plans are to:

• go for run;
• set up dd for savings account;
• clean house that has been neglected;
• read a stack of notes that i've been given by new job people;
• go shopping and buy groceries only, lunch for next week etc and dinner tmw night;
• ironing - why is there always ironing?.

Have a good morning everyone.

meersy22

Afternoon all

Well I made it through my first weeks work. I hate being the new girl but it won't be forever On the positive front I've already accumulated 58 quid in travelling expenses. This won't last forever but I'm between offices until May/ June time so until then I will have a good bit of travelling to do.

I feel a bit bleuurrgh today. I decided to try a low carb diet last week and apart from a few headaches the first few weeks I've felt ok. last night and today I had pizza and bread and really feel yuck and am craving more crappy food. I have a distinct feeling that the carbs are to blame. BF is back to work tomorrow so I will go back to low carb then. I haven't told him that I'm doin low carb as he says that I'm fine as I am but like many women I have a pesky 1/2 stone that wont leave me.

Spends front it wasn't too bad this week but I've found that as i didn't prepare menus in advance I ended up popping into Tesco & Sainsburys for 1 or 2 things and spending much more. So tomorrow when he's at work I will draw up a weeks menu plans and hit the shops.

Running front - I've printed off a 10k running schedule and I'm going to stick to that from tomorrow. Baby steps and all that.

ok off to read more diaries.

meersy22

Hi all

oh boy.. I feel like I've just done 10 rounds with a customer service credit card rep. I have a B'card credit card which I'm slowly plugging away at. However when I did a credit report I found a card I hadn't cancelled but is still on my credit report. I rang the company this evening to cancel and it was a nightmare. she just wouldn't let me cancel the card. By the end of the conversation i had to say "look, i just want to cancel this card". i hate being rude but she just kept giving me more offers. Anyhow it's done and the card has 14 quid on it which is on it's way to me. Why do they make it soo hard??

On good money front news. I got a letter from my car loan saying that as at the 8th Feb I had £140 to pay. I thought I had 2 more payments. So this months salary will pay off my car loan:T

I spent £5 on lippy, lip pencil and press powder. I know i didn't need it but it's nice to have a treat etc

So that's all my money news for today.

boredofbeingathome

Good news on the car loan Meersy, sounds like it is all coming together for you.

vasseur

I think cancelling credit cards is as hard as cancelling Sky.....especially when you just want to get off the line as it's usually a premium rate number.

Good news on the car loan - more to throw at CC debts next month

meersy22

Morning all

Well I'm up, showered and ready for the day ahead. i need to squeeze in a run this morning and then my plan is to -

• run
• update spreadsheets
• ironing
• clean house
• maybe venture into garden to assess the work required
• read papers and drink coffee:D

I've not managed to update my diary this week but I'm here now. I'm finding with my new job that I'm driving miles at the minute and getting home late. I've spent this morning catching up on diaries and am back to MSE with a vengeance.

Good money news front - I got the 14 from the credit card I cancelled and I've paid off my car loan :T

Bad money news front - car is in garage being looked at. The engine management light keeps coming on. The mechanic says that air is getting into the engine and he has to investigate where it is coming from. My MOT is due next week and heaven knows what it will find wrong. I have money sitting for my MOT but didn't need this problem.

Anyhow I now have #140 extra that is no longer going to car payments. I'm thinking about putting 50 to windows and 90 to credit card.

Ok need to get dressed and hit the road. Back soon

meersy22

Morning all

It's starting to get brighter in the morning and i can get out for my early morning jog

Good money news front - found out that my car isn't too sick and won't cost me that much. It should hopefully get through the MOT without costing me too much. Even better money news front - we might be getting a slight increase in salary. We still have a pay freeze but we will move a point in the payscale which equates to an extra £40 a month. The union now have to fight it out so heaven knows when we will get it. The £40 will probably be cancelled out by pension etc but I'll enjoy it while I have it.

I've taken my debit card out of my purse because if frittering was an Olympic sport then I would be on for gold. I'm now taking out £40 a start of week and if I run out I'm snookered.

anyhow have a great morning and speak soon.

Meersy