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

Shoe_Gal

Sounds good advice EH - that 'lumpy' feeling is exactly what I have

Swinstie73

Oh no, hope you are feeling better SG, get started on the Vit C - thanks for that Essex, do you want to know the sad thing, I have a big bottle of Vit C in my cupboard and have yet to take any, what a dumb-a$$ I am! I've even resorted to warmed Yorkshire Punch that I bought at the craft fayre, if nothing else it tastes nice.

Well I am truly peed off, just checked my BC account and I got £14.50 flipping interest last month (because I put my dress on it), bah! So Essex you are right again, I will claim back the transfer fee from the wedding fund after all - BUT only if we don't go over budget. My poor OH is entrusting me with the budget and since I haven't told him I've got my dress yet (or the cost) - he won't mind, but I don't want to be seen to be taking the pi$$ and buying expensive sh*t for myself.

I've already decided to get Dashing Diva nails and false eyelashes done for the day so going to save up for that myself, I mean, at the end of the day, all OH will need is a haircut and a shave, this is when I wish I was a bloke!

Anyway off for a wee bite to eat, still have a (small) appetite which is good.

Swinstie73

Evening all, well had a nice chicken pasta dish which is usually scrummy but I could neither taste nor smell it - I'm just imagining it tasted as nice as usual.

Since been stuck in all weekend I've had loads of time to play with my spreadsheets, so here's how it's looking. Spent £14.75 today when my friend got my mobile top up (£10) and my essentials to keep me going at £4.75, this left me with precisely 20p in my purse. I still have £189.28 in the bank so it's not that grim. OH gave me his backdated wedding fund money of £125 for Dec and £150 for Jan (he gets paid mid month). So, since I've been paying £150 direct into the account I then take his extra £25 for myself - not from this month on as we've increased our contribution to £150 each. Anyway, I now have £25.20 in my purse and with pay-day on Friday this should be more than enough (especially if I don't make work)

My budget for everything non-bill related was £280 per month so I am currently £10.68 over, which for me is flipping brilliant.

Had a look at last year's spending diary and I over-spent by £60.48, so have managed the month between Christmas and New Year even better this year. I think I have genuinely turned a corner, have even predicted how much money I could save by the end of the year, current savings plus credit card payment, I could potentially save over £5K :D:D

Who needs Ugg boots, not me

EssexHebridean

Wow - excellent! Sounds like you're right about turning a corner too, "secondary lightbulb moment" maybe!

Shoe_Gal

:j well done! I am sort of getting there - but don't think I'm as sussed as you when it comes to un-budgeted spends

Swinstie73

Afternoon all,

Well I am at home. Was up last night coughing my lungs up again, at one point I thought I was going to pass out. Phoned in sick this morning and have only just got up, so at least I got a wee bit of a sleep. My stomach and chest are starting to hurt from all the coughing, what else can I take for this? Anybody!? Mum phoned to see how I am, she doesn't drive so can't come to mines, don't really want her getting it anyway so I'd rather stay home by myself.

Well SG, don't get too excited about me being sussed with my un-budgetted spends, was a bit too hasty.

This months spends (from last pay-day til Jan pay-day) is currently £290.68 so only £10.68 over. Last year's at the same time was £315.48 and £60.48 over, right?!! Eh, No. Last year my un-budgetted spends were £255 but this year I changed it to £280 as I thought £255 was too low for me and didn't want to beat myself up about going over. The only saving grace is that if I still had my budget set to £255, then I would only be over by £35.68 which is still an improvement on last year.

It's still an achievement I guess, it's interesting comparing last year's spends to this years, will keep that going to see if I can improve more.

Cinny91

Phew. Been sneakily reading your diary at work and I made it, I'm at the end And subscribing so I don't miss anymore!

I hope you're feeling better soon, it sounds horrible. Did you go too the Docs about it?

All the money bits sound pretty fabulous too, although I had to re-read them a couple times to get it straight as possible in my noggin. Major congrats on being able to pay your debt off a month early too.

Swinstie73

Hey Cinny, thanks (and sorry) for having read my last diary - hope you weren't too bored!

I was at the docs on Friday (unrelated prob) and she just told me to that everyone has this flu and to take paracetomal with plenty of fluids and rest. Which I've been doing but it doesn't seem to be doing much good. Although I am getting a slightly better sleep at night, not coughing quite as much.

Glad you got your head around the figures, cos I'm still confusing myself.

In money news, I'm declaring today to be my 10th TNSD since 1st Jan, yeah! Can't remember if I already explained this (and can't go back whilst in the middle of typing this), but I'm marking down days as a total no spend day (TNSD) if I haven't spent a penny, zilcho.

However, I have also had 1 NS (no spends) on Essential Items and 5 no spends on Non-Essential Items, thought this would help me see exactly where my money was going i.e. you know how you think you're gonna have a no spend day then you end up having to buy a pint of milk (if you're like me, that annoys the heck out of me), so I'm hoping it helps me plan better. You know, go for petrol and get groceries the same day etc.

Ok, I'm beginning to scare myself, the lurgy is affecting my brain and I'm coming up with weird stuff now...... It made sense in my head though

Swinstie73

Well just had a nice shower and feeling a bit better. I think I will walk to the shop tomorrow for some milk, garlic bread and fresh air, feels weird not having been outside since Friday. Does anyone else feel physical strange going outside after being inside for so long - as if it's the first time EVER outside??

Anyway, OH is coming down tomorrow so going to make the marcaroni I didn't get to make him last Wed, used the garlic bread though so need more. Hoping to get back to work on Thursday, but if still feeling horrible then it'll be next Monday, better to get hung for a sheep than a lamb, eh.

Today hasn't been totally useless, have finished my shelves in the wardrobe, so toiletries all listed (wow I still have loads) and everything tidied - I did find 33 handbags but we won't even go there....

OH is probably going to be moving in sometime this year so we can save more for a house (my mortgage is tiny) so I thought I'd make some room for him, turns out he's already taking up a third of my wardrobe, no wonder my clothes are lying everywhere. He has 1 jacket, 10 shirts, 8 t-shirts, a cardi and a jumper, not to mention a drawer full of undies, socks, jeans etc. It's made me realise though that I still have far too much clothes, the dresses I bought from ebay last year still need to be altered so thinking of getting one done a month after debt all cleared off.

Also been pondering whether to get my dental work done or not. The wedding is a good opportunity to get it done, the one thing that is stopping me is I know someone who got her teeth done for her wedding (which ended up not happening), I have a fear of this now. She is now happily married to someone else but that's besides the point.

I need my two crowns re-done (at either side of my front teeth), as one of them is celebrating it's 20th birthday this year and the other is not far behind. They look really false as they haven't discoloured with age as normal. Also my front teeth, one looks shorter than the other and I just hate how they look in photos. I know it will be £700ish for the crowns to be re-done and obviously more for the front teeth - should I have this as my goal once debt free - instead of Ugg boots and nice handbags that is??? I'd need to start the work no later than May - the dentist told me, incase anything doesn't go to plan, so will have March to May to save as much as possible.

Anyway, havering now, must be the lack of food.

romylou_2

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Today hasn't been totally useless, have finished my shelves in the wardrobe, so toiletries all listed (wow I still have loads) and everything tidied - I did find 33 handbags but we won't even go there....

Swinstie don't you even try to hide the fact of 33 HANDBAGS! :eek: Have you thought about selling about a dozen, then you may get debt free even sooner.:rotfl:

I thought I had a lot - Ive got 7. Much more managable. Sorry I've not been in for a while, but I just wanted to pop in to say hi.

You seem to be doing really well despite catching the flu. Have you tried swallowing Manuka Honey for your sore throat. This works a treat, especially if you have a really throaty cough. Ive always got some in the house. It about £10 per jar (but it works - honest).