The journey starts here - don't stop believing

**Kat**_2

Have spent far too much money this weekend due to Halloween - boo! Being good again now from tomorrow. Quite sad that the money from Ebay will not be able to go into the debt pot as my car needs a new lambda sensor which will be between £50 and £70 quid . Oh well, there is always next time lol

**Kat**_2

Just had to spend £63 on parts for the car at least the Ebay money will cover it - WHEN PAYPAL RELEASE!!! They said they won't until feedback has been left for me by the buyers - what if they don't?!?! sooooo confused and worried :huh:

**Kat**_2

So I was finally able to post my last Ebay package so can now reveal my profit after postage, paypal and Ebay - £53.90!:j not too shabby. Doesn't quite cover the cost of the car but that would have had to be fixed regardless so it defo helps (still sad I cant put it in the reserve fund though).

I did manage to pay £10 into the reserve fund today which was in my bag (got a feeling that's from ebay stuff as we had cash for one item which was collection only) - still even if it was still more money in the account to cover the car than we would have had if I didn't have my LBM!

Anyway that was quite rambly for me - will only be doing Ebay on free listing weekends so that's it for now......

**Kat**_2

Checked online banking this morning - Barclays have charged us £112 for using the reserve last month which has conveniently put us back into the reserve now so we will have to pay them MORE money next month. After Christmas I am going tooth and nail at this!!

**Kat**_2

PS Principality said no to the mortgage as we have a flat roof and previous (non mortgage) defaults - if we had one or the other they would have done it but not for both. Why oh why is a flat roof so difficult to mortgage????

BaillieRiley

Hi Kat!

Good job on the Ebaying :T.

Sorry about the mortgage - hope you have better luck with another company. As for the reserve - you definitely need to nip that one in the bud first.

Your on track hun - these are just a few bumps along the way

BR x

**Kat**_2

I am not too worried about the mortgage, I thought they would say no and we are on such a low rate atm anyway it's not worth getting upset over.

I know the reserve needs to go - just so hard as can't really just throw money into it to reduce it, need to save and pay it off in one go. I have a feeling all the savings will be gone next month as my MOT is due but at least we won't be borrowing further money to pay for it (not even from my parents).

josiebabie

How is the no-smoking going Kat?

**Kat**_2

It's a bix mixed. Well in the sense we have bought 20 between us all month (usually that a day) and bad in we actually bought some. Not beating myself up though as it will make me feel worse - cut down a lot so will be totally quit by Christmas (by that I mean no smoking other people's either)

**Kat**_2

Haven't posted for a few days so here is an update:

The good:

- Nearly bought all of my Christmas prezzies and I have been using my tips from job 2 so even though the debt pot hasn't moved we are not futher into debt.:j

- We drew out cash last week to try and last the rest of the month. If we can it means our reserve will be lower than £600 this month as we have deliberately left money in there

- Going to apply for a higher paid full time job. I will keep job 2 anyway until the debt is paid off but if successful it means it won't be for as long.

- I have enough for a payout on Lightspeed. I am going to wait until pay day though as that will go towards my MOT (it's only £5 but every little....)

- I used tesco vouchers (doing the trade in) to buy DS some christmas prezzies. That together with my boots points meant I bought £33 of Christmas presents for £4 and crossed 3 people off the list (don't count DS as he will prob have some more as not got much atm).

The bad:

- Had a takeaway last night . DH and I shared everything but still came to £10 - was yummy though

- MOT is rapidly approching - please keep fingers crossed it passes.

- I need new shoes for job 2. There are now more holes than sole and when it rains my feet get really wet. As job 2 is waitressing I think it's more of an investment for my feet than a frivolous purchase but it's a clothing purchase nevertheless.

- One of the parts I previously got for my car is the wrong one. The right one is £10 more (typical) so will need to get that on the weekend and take the other one back.

- We have to pay off the Nat West overdraft sharpish. Even though it's miniscule interest and should really be the last thing we do, they are getting shirty and we are worried they will revoke the overdraft and the charges will soon mount up then!

The plan:

- Write a list of all food in the house and create meal plans to use up every single scrap. Will have to do food shops for the weekly perishibles but I WILL use what I have :rotfl:.

- When Christmas shopping is finished put all tip money into the debt pot. Considering I got £45 for working Thu, Fri and Sat (this is obv extra to my wages) I will have the reserve gone in no time.:money:

- Finish Christmas shopping this month if possible. That way we are in a strong place come January where most people are struggling.