2011 Make or break time

the_harrys

Only 1 week to pay day. This month I'm looking forward to seeing what I can pay off my debt as soon as I'm paid which in a slightly weird way feels almost as good as what I usually do which is planning how I'll spend it.

OH is beginning to get on board a bit- he was impressed with my spend for this month so far. I suggested he look at the MSE forum for some inspiration but he came back later saying "great- I read the MSE forum and we should be able to make £60 000 doing matched betting and arbitrage risk-free".

I have no idea what he is talking about, but it seems pretty unlikely that we will make £60 000 risk free otherwise why hasn't everyone on here done it? Anyway he is going to read a bit more about it. Luckily the only thing he has ever gambled on is the Grand National and the odd lottery ticket so I don't have too many worries about his gambling yet. OH is now away with work until Thursday- bad as we miss him but quite MSE as I don't have to feed him!

the_harrys

Feeling a bit down today- the enormity of what we have ahead of us hits me everyone now and then. But I think it is my job that is the big problem- I am not sleeping properly and really need to leave and do something less stressful but feel trapped by the debt. I have a 3 month notice period so am seriously thinking about handing in my notice and planning to find something else before I leave, but I know times aren't great and it may not be so easy and I end up with nothing and I feel guilty that I do have a job when others don't. But I feel constantly anxious and get palpitations all the time which can't be good for my long term health.

Meanwhile the good- DD2 is so happy at the moment as she has been picked for a school team for the first time ever. She always thought she wasn't very sporty and it is so sweet to see her excitement (she's only 9) - I hope the match goes well for her.

I bought my nephew's pressie- reduced to £20 from £39.99 so reasonably MSE but used a CC to pay (an empty one I just transferred a balance off) as I have no money left for the month so I will pay this off immediately.

I am beginning to realise I'm more of a spendaholic that I thought as I am really missing going and spending money, even if only on food, at the moment. I need to find a distraction technique when I get the urge to shop. Will try to do a NSD today.

the_harrys

I'm still in credit at the bank (OK- only by 5.70 but its better than an overdraft). The bill for the term's music lessons for DD1 arrived- 175.00-will have to be paid in February ouch!!

I will need to add this to the list of costs I had sort of forgotten about or at least that I haven't traced properly so don't know how much they cost last year. This includes haircuts/ school trips, mower/ house alarm servicing/ dog clipping (I have tried doing it myself- it resulted in a very bad hair day for the dog and a house and children covered in fluff!).

I'm keeping a spending diary and will add "unexpected bills" to that

millionaire_in_training

I'm on the spending diary journey too. Quite an eye opener. I hope to use it all year and it will remind me next year of what is due to be paid and when. £175 is ouch right enough. I hope she's good . Well done on being in credit.

the_harrys

Thanks- but I spoke too soon about staying in credit. I was hoping the overdraft interest would go out of my account after the child benefit had been paid in so I could cover it but the bank has taken it out today - nearly £100 just for December's overdraft interest!! It will only be for 1 day but still a pain I didn't quite make it.

OH has discovered Quidco- he has been booking his work travel on it this month and already has over £60 tracking - result!! The trouble is he has already planned how to spend it and it isn't on paying off debt. One step at a time I suppose..

the_harrys

It was nearly a NSD yesterday- £3.50 for bread and milk and DS needed £1.80 for his club, so less than a fiver. One more working day until payday- it has been such a long month.

the_harrys

Actually that isn't less than a fiver is it- it's £5.30 . Maths never was my strong point.

peaceandfreedom

Hi the_harrys

Just wanted to say well done for tackling your debt and I hope it all goes well.

As far as your extended family goes, I would tell them straight out that you can't afford the 5* lifestyle. The amount of money you spent in December is mind-boggling. It is very kind of your rich sister to spend so much on your children, but there's no need for you to do the same in return. As they are wealthy, I imagine their children already have everything they need. I come from a big family and there are lots of kids, so we only buy for our god-children at Christmas - much easier to manage.

Some of my siblings are better off than others (we are probably the most skint at the moment but I have plans to change that!) but no-one puts anyone else under pressure to spend more than they can afford. My debt problems are largely mine (and OH's) own doing. You need to make more of a stand and just say NO. It is no fun going away for an expensive holiday that you know you simply don't have the money to pay for.

Anyway, good luck with it all, you have made a great start. :T

millionaire_in_training

£5.30 that's not too bad. Woohoo for payday on Monday. I can't wait either. Getting down to the last few pounds now. January has been WAY too long. We have eaten combinations of food I would never have thought of
Never mind at least the fridge and freezer got empty enough to defrost and I found £2 under the fridge........yay !!

the_harrys

Yes it's now 6 weekends since my last paycheque as we were paid early for Christmas. It's the tax deadline on Monday as well so have to help with OH's tax return this weekend- what an exciting prospect. I just hope he doesn't owe the taxman anything.