Newbie and in need of advice please

MFWannabe

Have a great night Dolly

SnowBelle_2

Hi Dolly,
I would just like to say I have read your posts all the way through,and I would like to wish you all the luck in the world.
I too have experienced debt and been around friends in debt...never be afraid to say you can't afford it as people are so much more open to admitting it nowadays.
I have also felt the 'pull' of the catalogues.. LOL
Sennding hugs and good wishes to you.
Snow x

dollybeads

Thank you Freez and Snowbelle for you posts, Its really heartwarming when you have other people sending you good wishes and congratulating you on your progress. A little pat on the back goes a long way for me.

Last night was total no spend, and also lift there and back, it was a fantastic night and everyone enjoyed it.

New 0% CC arrived this morning and current CC @ 19.5% all been transferred to it. My OH has agreed to keep hold of it, thats the best way for me, might be a bit of slopey shoulders on the responsibility thing, but I think its the only sensible way at present. I would be too embarrassed to ask him for it and have to justify any spending! The only alternative is the freezing in tupperware box thing, that made me laugh outloud when I first heard that option :rotfl:.

Have a good weekend everyone, off to plan my weeks meals and lunches and tot up my spending diary.

Dolly x

dollybeads

Did my first downshift shop today. Planned meals for a whole week and spent £34.74, This is pretty miraculous for me. The old me would have spent 3 times this each week. I have never before even considered the cost of items and it really does make you aware of how much different brands of things cost. Staggering sometimes.

the above amount included a large purchase of toilet rolls on offer at £6 and a christmas present reduced to £3. So actual spend on food for the week was about £25.

To top it all I only downshifted on items like rice, pasta, butter, milk, ground coffee, tinned tomatoes etc so guess I will not notice any difference except the price. Just brilliant. love DFW and MSE!

Good night all Dolly x

backinbusiness

Hi Dollybeads

My LBM was in July 2009 and I became debt-free last Sat (in fact, you posted on my thread so thank you)

The enthusiasm and determination to do this shines through this thread - your comment about swapping one addiction (spending) for another (saving) rings so true

You have made a fantastic start - and whilst there might be the odd day along the way where motivation flags a little - I think you'll get there pretty quickly

From beginning to end for me, I found my attitude to personal finance changed completely - it sounds like you are having the odd wobble - (which is to be expected in the early days) but again I am sure you will triumph over this too

Well done on hitting the ground running in such an enthusiastic way - and keep it up!!

dollybeads

Hi Backinbusiness

What a lovely start to a sunday morning. Yes I remember your post, it is stories like yours that give us newbs the inspiration that it can be done. I don't think until now it had registered in my conscious thought that living on credit was anything other than totally normal. Since joining MSE and DFW in particular the whole way i live has changed from top to bottom. Its a bit overwhelming at times, but i have switched the auto spending pilot off, and now before spending anything do have a think about the consequences.

I really would never have thought this was ever possible for me. But it is and (i know everyone says this) but If I can do it then there is hope for everyone!

Thank you for your post, and am sending you every best wish, for your new debt free future.

Have a great Sunday Dolly :wave:

dollybeads

A good day today, had a day off, and had my haircut at the local college which cost the grand total of £4.00, this usually costs £45 at my usual hairdresser. Have underspent this month on my grocery budget by £40, we have still managed to eat very well indeed. Have saved £340.00 so far in my savings account for all the annual spends (car maintenance, insurance, presents, christmas etc). I have never done this before.

Tomorrow will make my first ever overpayment on my high APR loan of £300.00 extra as per my snowball.

All of the above would never normally be possible, and is down to basic budgeting, and spending wisely, keeping a spending diary, planning a weeks worth of meals, and creating a shopping list from the plan, downshifting when shopping.

I really can't believe what a difference this has all made, and I have still managed the odd treat and night out. Thanks to all on DFW who have offered moral support and encouragement, it really helps.

Goodnight all Dolly x

Gingerjar

Hi Dolly


Glad you had a lovely day off and found out about the magic that is local college hairdressers. Pre-MSE I was a total hairdresser snob and used to spend about eighty pounds on my hair every 6 weeks , now I go to the college and spend £18 for a cut, colour and finish. They do a lovely job. It takes a bit longer but I just think of it as more time to read trash magazines and drink coffee :T . I even get a free parking space.

Have you thought about using the college beauty therapists as well, mucho cheapo!!!

You really are doing great with the shopping and the pressy fund as well - inspirational. Am grabbing onto your coat tails to keep up with your amazing progress!

Rainy_2

dollybeads wrote: »

Tomorrow will make my first ever overpayment on my high APR loan of £300.00 extra as per my snowball.

All of the above would never normally be possible, and is down to basic budgeting, and spending wisely, keeping a spending diary, planning a weeks worth of meals, and creating a shopping list from the plan, downshifting when shopping.

Well done on the overpayment Dolly, you are doing really well :beer:

It makes such a difference doing all of the things you have mentioned, I have been adopting these for a while now (and I quite sadly enjoy all the budgeting and planning :o)

dollybeads

Rainy wrote: »

Well done on the overpayment Dolly, you are doing really well :beer:

It makes such a difference doing all of the things you have mentioned, I have been adopting these for a while now (and I quite sadly enjoy all the budgeting and planning :o)

Gingerjar wrote: »

Hi Dolly


Glad you had a lovely day off and found out about the magic that is local college hairdressers. Pre-MSE I was a total hairdresser snob and used to spend about eighty pounds on my hair every 6 weeks , now I go to the college and spend £18 for a cut, colour and finish. They do a lovely job. It takes a bit longer but I just think of it as more time to read trash magazines and drink coffee :T . I even get a free parking space.

Have you thought about using the college beauty therapists as well, mucho cheapo!!!

You really are doing great with the shopping and the pressy fund as well - inspirational. Am grabbing onto your coat tails to keep up with your amazing progress!

Thank you both for your lovely posts, yes college hairdressing was an excellent experience, and I think by far is a better hair cut all round as the tutor checked everything. Annual saving for this is £400.00 can you believe it!

Am getting rather obsessive about saving cash at the moment, did my first small shop at Lidl yesterday to buy Olive Oil and ground coffee, what a bagain. Just get a bit frustrated when I have to spend anything now!!

Feel really good to be making overpayments, it really is a great feeling.

Have a good day everyone Dolly x

Ps looking at the beauty therapy at the college too, as would be nice to have a cheap treat now and again. Couldn't afford it before, facials are £6.00 Wow