Newbie and in need of advice please

Rainy_2

Definitely going to investigate the local college later, I have been so strict over the past couple of years when it comes to treats and nice things that I am at breaking point! And I don't think that even I can feel guilty about spending £10 on a haircut and facial!!

dollybeads

I was truly amazed, it was just like the usual salon, quite plush and welcoming, the usual nice touches ie coffee/tea/magazines etc, it does take longer but the tutor does go through everything at the end and during if the person cutting your hair needs advice. I would thoroughly recommend it, and as i say better haircut than my usual.

I will be booking a facial shortly as at £6.00 this is a real bargain. Very MSE! I think occasionally it is good to treat yourself if at all possible otherwise it can get to be a bit of a slog.

Went to the bank today and paid my overpayment on my loan, felt really satisfying to do this and to enter the bank without a sinking feeling in my stomach.

It just gets better and better.

Dolly x :wave:

chivers1977

My haircut at the college last week was 50% off so cost me the huge sum of £1.50!! I will be able to get my hair cut every month instead of looking awful for weeks 5-8 and it will cost me the same over the year as just one haircut at the normal salon. I agree that the haircut was much better than at the hairdressers - even though it was a 16 year old doing it!

I am going to have a facial to treat myself too. I think it is £4 for that. You are doing so well Dolly. I am really enjoying reading your updates

dollybeads

Bless you thanks, yes I think the colleges are going to be inundated at this rate with a horde of DFWers flocking to there doors.

Thanks for the post

Dolly x

backinbusiness

Hi Dolly

You have taken on so much of the MSE way of life in such a short space of time - well done.

My original debt-free date was May 2011, however as the debt came down I became more and more motivated to clear it completely - hence being able to settle in full mid-Jan instead.

I have the feeling you will clear your debt much quicker than you anticipate too.

It is important to allow yourself some treats, otherwise as you say it can all become a bit of a drag. Funny how a treat can become a £6 facial instead of a great big pointless splurge on the credit cards!!

For me cash was (and is) king. I withdraw my week's spending money on a Sunday night and when it's gone - it's gone! Handing over cold, hard cash makes me think twice - and I enjoy the challenge of having some left over by the following Sunday. (If I do, I bank it into my surplus account - over and above regular savings). Through careful meal planning I've taken my weekly grocery bill from £75/week (pre lbm times!), to about £35-40/week.

Come April, I plan to revisit all my utility suppliers etc, to see if I can lower my outgoings further - then re-budget accordingly.

From hiding my head in the sand where money was concerned - the first thing I do every morning now (and how sad is this!!) - is use my Smartphone (free upgrade - fantastic contract) - to check my online banking!

Keep up the good work - if you decide to start a diary (if you haven't already) pm me - and I'll subscribe. I'm interested to follow your progress.

Take care.

dollybeads

Thanks for your post backinbusiness

Have been thinking of starting a diary, more for just recording the things i do to tackle my debt (in the hope this will keep me focused). I too have now started using hard cash and leaving all cards at home, it feels strange at first as I feel quite vulnerable without access to or at least the potential for access to my bank account.

Like you say handing over hard cash is very much more 'real" as using the cards somehow doesn't seem to count!

what I am finding now is, that parting with any of my savings for anything makes me really grumpy, the more I collect the more I want to keep it. Although this is for bills, it as if I have finally realised how precious it is and how much time and effort it took to get this together.

Also am getting the checking accounts bug, to monitor my money in minute detail, as you say checking it online at 5.30am each day! It must be catching!!! Hope someday to be somewhere nearly as successful as you have been.

Have a good evening

Dolly x

Verbatim

Well done Dolly. You really have taken everything on board and have made huge changes i a very short time.

Rainy_2

Really does sound like you're getting the MSE bug! :money:

It's nice to know I'm not the only one checking my banking online as soon as I wake up!

I would recommend starting a diary over on the DFW Diary Board, it's a great help getting everything down in black and white and can be very motivating, especially with the support of all the over lovely DFW's

dollybeads

Thank you Verbatim and Rainy

Have been thinking about the diary thing, as i really want to keep a log of what I am doing to help me keep motivated at those difficult moments!

I guess i just start posting on there and take it from there, and then just post back here when i need some specific advice on things?

On another note, I wonder if I can trouble all you lovely DFWers on here with a dilemma I have currently?

Long story short, DIL was ripped off when she bought a car, (it was a cut and shut), police not interested and she save hard to buy it. Her mother (who is severely disabled, struggling with debt herself, has asked me If I can contribute to the cost of repairing the car). I initially said I could manage about £100.00 pre MSE. I cannot in reality afford this as other bills are due this month (of my own which I must pay). I am not sure what to do, was thinking of paying for something else on my CCd so that I could still contribute, but the reality is I really can't afford this and it will scupper my overpayment plans for the month if I do. However I feel really guilty even thinking about now going back and refusing (one of the bills due is unexpected and I can just about afford everything if I really keep on track this month) but this extra £100.00 will push me over.

This type of thing, bailing people out month on month is quite common for me and has contribute to my overspending as I just find it impossible to say no.

I would really appreciate anyone's views on if and how I might tackle this. I really am in two minds.

Many thanks

Dolly x

maganan

Oh Dolly I wish i knew what to advise, obviously the new debt free wanabees in us know the answer should be no i'm sorry i can't this month but i know i'd probably try and find it (yet another reason why i have no money) from your posts i imagine your having the same dilemas. Maybe you could offer half this month, c**p advice i'm sorry. its so difficult to say no sometimes.

Good luck