Drop Debt Diva – ‘Plus-Sized Debts to Plus-Sized Savings’

Swinstie73

Ok, so you know how yesterday I said I hated forgetting my ring! Well I slept in this morning and forgot my ring, boo! It might have been a kind of well deliberate sleep in, I was so comfy didn't want to get up. Been a good day though, the sun is shining and I'm contemplating going for a lunch-time walk. Knowing me, I'll sit here at my desk as usual.

OH is coming down tonight and I have nothing sorted for dinner. We got a take-away last Saturday so don't really want to go down the take-away route. Got no money to buy something and haven't taken anything out of the freezer, help!

The good thing is he is working all weekend so only have tonight to make dinner.

beanielou

Im no good at meals.
Hope you got something sorted out.
Have a good weekend.

Swinstie73

OK, so we ended up with an Indian on Friday night *hangs head in shame* BUT we had chicken tikka and one naan bread between us so not too bad. The guy tried to get us to take pakora as well but we stood our ground. Apparantly (I remember reading it somewhere) that if you must have an indian meal, to make it chicken tikka as it's not as fattening. That's my justification anyway.

Went to OH's last night and also went to see my dress which came back from the dry cleaners, it looked fab. Was asking the woman about headpieces and she said I should go for crystal and pearl as there are crystals on the dress under the bust. I know she's right as been wondering whether the one(s) I bought would go. The last one I got was Swarovski crystal but not sure about it. I tried on a vine one and it was lovely but was £50! She said they are always in stock so got loads of time to decide. My expenditure on things not suitable is getting out of order.

OH was working today and is now watching footie, so I just came home after doing a big food shop. Panicked I didn't have enough money (it came to £45) so put it on my Visa, then remembered I had a £5 voucher, duh. Must make sure I pay it off next month. Got loads of food which should last this week and next, tonnes of fresh veggies as well (which won't last til next week). Decided I'll buy fresh veggies at least one week out the month and the rest of the time use frozen veg, it's too expensive otherwise.

So, have made a huge pot of lentil soup, might have that for dinner with some home-made creamed rice, as I can't be bothered making a big dinner for myself today. Also need to iron some clothes so I don't spend this week at work in my jeans like I did last week.

Ok, less thinking, more doing Swinstie!

beanielou

Can u pop up a pic of the type of headress you want?
Ive got one worn once but might not be what you have in mind.

Swinstie73

Thanks Beanie, I will try and find a pic, but of course I keep changing my mind. I'm thinking it defo has to be pearl and crystal though as I'd be panicking if I got my dress and the headpiece I had really didn't go. Although the woman did say to bring it in (which I wish I had done on Saturday)!

Oops better go, boss is back.....

Swinstie73

Evening all,

Well had a very quiet day today, was in on my ownsome most of the day so messed around with my spreadsheet - HURRY UP PAY-DAY!!!!!

Once I make my payments this month the wedding CC will be at £1K and my own (but not my debt will be at £300), ok, so £250 of this is not my debt BUT I will be declaring myself debt free as the £50 that is mines hasn't technically hit my Visa IYSWIM so that will be paid next month as a standard payment. It was the grocery shop I did yesterday, still can't believe I had enough money after all, duh.

Anyway, I will be technically debt free but will always use my Visa but for sensible purchases that I can pay off every month, not for the latest new bag or shoes as I've done in the past. I never want to really pay it off completely as I have a fab rate of 6.9% APR and if I'm not using it they will no doubt raise the rate. I will have loads of reasons to use it anyway, wedding accommodation, lodge, holiday etc., really want to keep it 'in use'.

And now for a wee confession, you know how I said once I became debt free I was going to buy myself leather Uggs?? Well, instead of saving up for them which would be in a month or so, I've already bought and paid for them, yeah! They are sitting in my room still in the box, just waiting to be worn. I promised myself I would only wear them when debt free, now this might not be for a while if the weather stays nice, but when I tried them on in Office, the guy told me that they probably wouldn't have them in stock after the winter and they tended to only keep regular stock of the classic ones, so I got them, £220 down to £160.

*slinks off to await a rollocking*

Ah, they are bought and paid for so I'm not worried, just want to wear them now.

urg123

My debt free treat to me was a new fountain pen. Sometimes you need to mark such a big thing with something that you know that you have worked blooming hard for. May be you can you use it as your reminder that you will never be in debt again. I can't wait to read your debt free post - make sure you are wearing your boots!

urg x x

I've also realised what a great discount you got too! See the MSE ways are working!

Swinstie73

Thanks urg, I will defo wear the boots when posting my debt free post - must remember and update it as I typed it out hoping to be debt free last month. Oh my feet are itching to get to pay-day, although should I declare myself debt free then or wait until the payments actually come out, which will be another week to 10 days? I'd like to do it right but the waiting is getting to me.

I will need to be very frugal the next month or so as I start my dental treatment at the end of April, dentist said it would be about a month so if I pay by Visa I will then have another month before having to clear it. I have £500 saved up just now which hopefully will be about a fifth of the total bill, by finishing treatment I should have almost half saved but I could mess around with the wedding savings and use that to clear the visa.

Still have money to get from the wedding budget and lodge which is flipping due in July - !!!!!!, we're not going til November! Going to count this as my cruise money, which will be due around Sept. It's all falling into place, I hope!!!

EssexHebridean

Well done on getting the road-tax money sorted out. It annoys me all the little things now that you suddenly find they will charge you a little extra for putting on a credit card.

Talking of Credit cards.....the following paragraph in your post above grabbed my attention - relevant bits highlighted in bold

Anyway, I will be technically debt free but will always use my Visa but for sensible purchases that I can pay off every month, not for the latest new bag or shoes as I've done in the past. I never want to really pay it off completely as I have a fab rate of 6.9% APR and if I'm not using it they will no doubt raise the rate. I will have loads of reasons to use it anyway, wedding accommodation, lodge, holiday etc., really want to keep it 'in use'.

I may be missing the point, but if you're intending to use the card and then pay off each month, the rate is irrelevant as you won't ever be paying interest. Would you do better to look at a cashback card? We have the Capital One Cashback - it's set to pay the full balance each month, and we spend everything on it, petrol OH's train travel, car stuff, incidental spends, odds and ends of shopping (the bulk of the shopping is via a ClubCard Plus as this works better for us) - it netted us over £70 cashback last year and we're not the biggest of spenders by any means. martinhas an excellent guide on cashback cards and their use I seem to recall....

Re your debt free date.....wait until you are ACTUALLY debt free - the sense of achievement will be that much great as there won't be any lingering feeling that you're jumping the gun, and just think, what if something unexpected came up that you couldn't make the final clearing payment? How awful would it be to have to back-track? Then step out and wear those boots with pride lady! :cool:

Swinstie73

This is why I love this site, loads of great advice!

I will look into the cashback card Essex, what I was meaning though with the BC CC, was that it was a great low interest rate that should I use it but not pay it off one month, I won't get saddled with loads of interest. I think a cashback card will be good for small purchases which I pay off each month, but I will probably use the BC for larger purchases as and when required.

You're also right about waiting til DD's are paid as then I can officially see my balances at zero, so looking around early April when I will be making my debt free post, watch this space......