Me, my money and I...SkintMonkey's debt diary...

SkintMonkey

I've decided to start a kind of money diary thread, where I can post my ins and outs (?) and generally what I'm doing about my money. I thought I was addicted to MSE/DFW for a while, but since I revealed all about my debt to my husband I just can't get off this site, so hopefully wont have any trouble in updating it.

So at the moment, my total debt stands at £3,500 which is made up of overdraft and credit card. I've just applied and been accepted for an MBNA credit card so will transfer my balances to this card and have one debt to deal with.

I've started a paper spending diary which has proved really helpful and will transfer it to this thread as often as possible to keep things up to date. Also with updates on any money I manage to bring in from ebay etc (fingers crossed).

I am paid on the 30th, so will use this day to post my outgoings for the month ahead and probably be a lot clearer on where I am with my money and my situation as it is.

I am really keen to move house in 2007 and start a family with my husband, so with this in mind I am determined to get my debt thrashed!

Anyway, thanks for reading thus far...

moozie_2

Good idea skintmonkey

I love reading other people's progress and will be looking out for your updates.

Best of luck!

Phoenix79_2

Good luck Skintmonkey :beer:

Hope you get the limit you want on the MBNA card

SkintMonkey

Here we go:

So far this morning, I've:

1. Joined Pigsback - not sure quite how much this will make for me, but worth a go
2. I've looked into my RAC membership - I'm due to renew next March and pay £69.60 a year - will look into shopping around for that next year.
3. I've asked for my Egg account to be closed
4. Double checked my direct debits to see nothing is going out that shouldn't (was brought down to earth with a bump when I saw my balance).
5. Have started to look into meal plannning, as we currently don't even write a list before we do the weekly shop and end up with a £50 bill - for just the two of us! Will sort out a range of recipies and ask hubby this evening what he likes the look of and then do a proper list for Friday.

Spending today should be nil as working at home (will begin at 9am) and have stuff in the cupboards for lunch. Was going to take my coat to the dry cleaners, but might just wait now until I'm paid and feel less bad about it.

This evening I will put a couple of things on to ebay, which fingers crossed, will bring in a few much needed quid.

That's me for now.

SkintMonkey

I've had a really good day today. It's not that anything particular has happened or I've done something different, I've just been thinking differently. Something has finally clicked in my head and I feel a lot more positive and ready to tackle my spending and debt. I can't stop thinking about my debt and sorting it - but in a good way, not in a worried, freaked out way.

I've been working at home today (not been the most constructive day in that sense though!) and had to really fight temptation to go out to the local shop, but I have. We need some new printer paper, so I may text hubby to get it on way home as I just don't trust myself to not get anything else from tesco.

I've decided that whenever I'm tempted for a naughty treat or splurge, I just need to remind myself how much I owe and that I do want to move house next year and start a family. That thought spurs me on.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

iceicebaby

I think I may need to start a speding diary too. I dont have any debts (except my mortgage) however I have no idea where all my money goes!

Think I may give it a try too and identify where exactly it all goes!

nidje

Hi

Well done so far and keep up the good work.

Have you signed up to Quidco www.quidco.com you can get cash back with the RAC on there, and many other shops/organisations, it may be worth a try.

N x

SkintMonkey

nidje wrote:

Hi

Well done so far and keep up the good work.

Have you signed up to Quidco www.quidco.com you can get cash back with the RAC on there, and many other shops/organisations, it may be worth a try.

N x

I've started doing Pigsback, is it the same kind of thing?

emylou

Hi SkintMonkey, well done on your positive thinking! Whenever I just need 1 thing from Tesco, I try to take the exact money (or a little over to be on the safe side), or I get someone else to go for me!
Keep up the good work

jenchin66

Ebay are having a 15p listing day tomorrow. Might be worth waiting to list.

irishwench69

SkintMonkey wrote:

I've started doing Pigsback, is it the same kind of thing?

Hey SkintMonkey! :wave:

Quidco is purely a cashback site, including cashback on switching utilities and financial products.....

Pigsback is more "cash for clicks", so it's not just buying stuff, there are competitions and surveys you can get points on. You can redeem points for a range of vouchers.......

HTH!

IW x