Sorting out my life - Part 2!

cazmcf

:T:T Well done copperjar, happy payday and well done on getting those bills down. Sounds to me you've got your debt busting mojo back! Your sounding so much more positive.

I only started my xmas shopping yesterday. It's such a hassle but I love seeing peoples faces when they open their presents. Off to do some more today...:(

jwil

Well done on getting rid of the BC and overdraft!

copperjar

Thanks guys I always seem to be much more motivated at the beginning of the month!

Its so cold today. I'm sat here in a t-shirt, massive jumper and body warmer - look like the Michelin Man. Still can't get warm! I'm also still scared stiff of driving in this ice and snow, but it means those sneaky trips to the shop have been cut out this week if nothing else! :rotfl: Finally started my Christmas shopping in the last 2 days too. Loads of stuff ordered online (will it ever get here?!).

Money saving wise, I have a few expenses coming up this week, but have done okay so far. Have another £30 to pay towards the Virgin CC today thanks to the snow (underspending on my weekly budget...or over budgeting...not sure which yet!). Also had a sale of £20 on Amazon but I don't want to bank that until I know it got to Portugal safe and sound. Could do with listing some more stuff on eBay this weekend - and a FieldAgent shop wouldn't go amiss. Really want to hit my target this month, although not getting into more debt over Christmas will be an achievement in itself!

copperjar

Bloody hell! Just wrote a lengthly message and lost it! Here's the condensed version! I love the first weekend after pay day, maybe a bit too much and I guess I should try to be a bit more sensible, but its so nice to be able to buy some bits and bobs or treat yourself without panicking about not having enough money left. I've spent a bit more than I should have today - haircut, coffee and cake, and something nice for my tea. But I figure I deserve a treat day after a tough and tight November.

My new iPhone app is fab. Have set up 4 seperate monthly budgets so I know exactly where I am and can adjust spending if needed. Within budget so far (I should think so - only 4 days in!) and I'm feeling quite confident that I can get through December without using the CCs. I also have some bits of money coming to me this month - nPower refund, Amazon sale, hopefully some ebay sales, so I'd like to get some more paid off the Virgin card. I'm trying to decide whether I should put some money into savings for emergencies or just throw every spare penny at the cards. Maybe an 80:20 split?

Things to do this weekend:
- write a new CV
- list items on eBay
- do a monthly food shop
- try to relax!

copperjar

Saturday night and I'm thinking about my debts! I think I'll join a couple of challenges next year - anybody got any suggestions? Which are your favourites or which have you found most successful? I fancy going for one big one - like a £10k challenge or a debt v 100 days. And then maybe a couple of smaller ones - perhaps a sealed pot one, I've got £25 in a money box already (one of those you have to smash to get the cash!)

Although I love the idea of PADs, I've not been very successful at it, and the £10 a day challenge seems impossible.

I'm also a bit worried that the year is basically going to be split down the middle and the last 6 months might be hard for me to pay off any debts. Depending whether I can find another job at similar pay to what I'm on now, whether I get a job via redeplyment which will be pay protected for 2 years or whether I set up on my own in business, is really going to effect how I tackle the debts after June. I guess I need to focus on the first 6 months while the future is so uncertain, but I've discovered over the past few months that I'm a complete control freak and hate change! :rotfl:

chevalier

Hi there
As someone who lost their job because they wiped a tier of the structure out (with Royal Mail) I can sympathise. I was lucky in that I had a baby to have, so work wasn't all that important, but here are some random thoughts to help you.

I personally wouldn't try for a job in the public sector. I can't see this government getting out at the next election either, so expect more of the same. If you think that you could go it alone, then draw up a business plan and show it to your local Business Link. But make it realistic.

Can you work out how much redundancy you will get? Would this be enough to retrain? What are you really passionate about, could you make enough to live on from it? That is a different business plan of course.

Suggest you PM EagerLearner (might by Eagerlearner) she has a spreadsheet of daily clicks, so you can be the most efficient at doing the free clicks.

Survey sites will love you! Why because you are MALE. They need men to make the surveys statistically valid. So you should get a lot of work!

Again more traditional mystery shopping may also pay dividends, as they are often in restaurants, so it may help your food bill if not your waist line:rotfl:

Finally if you are made redundant and you have no work, then it is not the end of the world. Have a look at the CCCS or Payplan websites about a debt management plan. Obviously this is a last resort, and you will find another job etc, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. In my opinion there is little point in beating yourself up and panicking if you can't pay back debt that occurred before a radical change in circumstances.
chev

copperjar

Hi chevalier, thanks for your comments. Just one thing though, I'm actually female! :silenced:

I agree about the public sector struggling for a few more years yet, expecially as I'm in the provider side rather than commissioning (which is being protected). I've started looking for jobs elsewhere, just to see what's out there and there might be some opportunities - its just the own business angle is the one that gets me really excited but is probably too much of a risk as this time. Because we're not being offered the opportunity for voluntary redundancy either, the payout I would get is pretty rubbish really. Especially as I've worked there for ten years. And I would really need a decent amount to start up on my own I think.

I've asked for the daily clicks guide and I'm still doing the YouGov surveys. I think it will probably take me a year to get up to payout though! The cashback sites I love, especially when buying something big or changing insurances etc. I just wish it confirmed a bit quicker - I daren't count it until its fully payable - I'm a pessimist!

Got a boring day of household chores lined up - supermraket, cleaning, washing. Yawn. Might squeeze in some eBaying if I can find the energy/motivation. But before I can do any of that, I need to get dressed!

jwil

I lurk on all the challenges but don't take part generally. I use them for inspiration though! I've been doing YouGov for years, and I've had 3 payments I think - it's taken me on average 2 years to get each one :rotfl: My Survey (used to be lightspeed), and Valued Opinions, Ipsos etc have a smaller payment threshold so you can get there earlier - you can also get vouchers for these ones, so can save them for birthdays/christmas or just shopping!

Have a good day!

iwantahome

hi Copperjar,

Just popping by for a quick read. Which iphone App you using? I love mine called Accounts, but am just wondering if there is a better one out there. Free preferably. Oh and if you have a few pennies spare (unlikely but still you could ask for a voucher for xmas) then check out the sleep talk app. This one is particularly hilarious. I've now had my erm how shall i put it, sleep noises, confirmed to me. And being that there is only me in the room, I now have no excuse over the noise. I used to always blame the ex whenever anyone complained when we were camping with family and friends. No getting away from that now.

iwantahome

copperjar

Hi iwantahome :wave:

I checked out so many finance apps. Bought a couple that I didn't like - Accounts looks good though. I've got two now. One called Account Tracker which I use to keep track of current account (DDs), savings, all Visas! And then iXpenselt which I love to keep track of my monthly spending. I've got 4 budgets set up on there - monthly spends, food, petrol and Christmas. Its dead easy to imput spending and keep a running total of my actual monthly spending - whereas I use the other more of an overview of everything. God I'm sad!!

I saw that sleep talking app the other day and was tempted to buy it! I'm not sure I'd like to hear my unconscious ranblings though! :lipsrseal

Anyway, todays update. Did a big food shop, spent a wee bit too much and don't seem to have actually bought that much food! I'd run out of all the esssentials I get with my food shop like shampoo, toothpaste, cleaning stuff, fruity sauce! But well stocked up now. I've got £3 in my purse - hoping that will last me until Friday, apart from tea out with my brother which is planned for Wed. Will be tight sticking within budget this week, but determined to do it!

I do have a shameful confession as well though. I bought cigarettes today I've gone 4.5 weeks non smoking and today everything just got on top of me. Not going to smoke again though - maybe I needed to get it out of my system, it didn't make me feel any less stressed and actually upset me that I spent £4 on ciggies and a lighter. I don't want to dwell on it too much though because I'll just get stressed thinking about it.