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

SkintMonkey

I've had a good day today. Only spent £1 - 40p on chocolate bar and 60p on sending an ebay package.

I've got a lot of people still watching my current ebay items and a couple of low bids, so hopefully when they come to an end I should have sold a few things and added to my paypal account.

Pigsback points are growing which is nice to see...be interested to see how long it takes me to reach £10.

I'm itching to do more, to save and make money, but not much else to do at the moment. I may have a sort out of one of the cupboards tomorrow and see what is there that I can ebay. Every little helps.

Planning on a relaxed, lazy day tomorrow - may have a look around the local charity shops for a couple of bits, but should be a relatively low spending day.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

SkintMonkey

So far I've made £4.20 in Piggy points (thank you to whoever told me about this) and I've made £25 on ebay, which I'm really chuffed with.

Going to put more stuff on ebay tonight.

SkintMonkey

I suppose I just want to see a much bigger impact (of getting myself organised) immediately. I've made significant changes, but the debt is still there and I think I'm just having one of those lull's.

I feel frustrated about a lot of things connected with money - I can't save properly as I'm trying to pay off the debt. Not being to save means that it will take us longer to save up to buy our new house, which means I still have to do the long journey into work and wait longer to start a family.

I got a statement through of my student loan (graduated in 2002) and I owe £8,000 - I didn't think it was that much and I think I my positive/optimistic outlook financially has been rather dented. I don't really think of this as a debt in the same way as my credit card as it comes out of my pay with my tax etc and I'm paying it off every month (well I thought I was), but I hate it being there.

I think I'm just feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment, but I'll get out of it soon I know, I think I'm just tired and want too see a bigger impact on my actual debt balance.

SkintMonkey

I've got a friend who was made bankrupt 2/3 months ago, he is 28 and I think his debt was around £40k. I've also recently discovered that his partner (who he has been together with for 8 months) was also made bankrupt 2 years ago.

I gave him a lot of emotional support throughout the process of going bankrupt but I'm now feeling really frustrated with him. I don't think he has learned from this experience at all, it doesn't seem to have effected him one bit. Since being made bankrupt he has bought a couple of expensive gadgets which he says he saved up for, but he's only been bankrupt less than 3 months. He also told me recently that him and his partner are sticking to a budget for Christmas presents this year - a budget of £250!

I'm really having to bite my tongue as I feel really irritated by him. I make a joke about him being loaded etc, but he just says he saved for it.

Sorry, I just wanted to let off steam...does anyone understand where I'm coming from?

My worry is a few years down the line he will be back to where he was and I don't think it helps that his partner has been bankrupt too - you'd think they would be extra careful, but not at all, the excess money they have which doesn't of course now go on repaying the debt is just squandered and it isn't as if they pay much rent as they both live with their parents.

Do you think there is anything I can do/say, or should I just leave them to get on with it?

SkintMonkey

I've not edited this thread for a while as not really been focused on money saving and clearing my debt and couldn't face coming on here and admiting that I've been rather crap.

My husband and I have decided that we really want to think about buying our second house as soon as possible and I can't wait. I keep reminding myself that in order to do this, I need to be more sorted and organised financially and hopefully I wont lose sight of this goal and it will help spur me on.

Our eventual aim is to start trying for a family, but we must move first and get financially straight so I really need to use these goals as a good kick up the backside. It's all a bit daunting, but will be so worth it.....

There may also be a job coming up in my department that I may go for (see a previous post - moral dilema), depending on whether I like the look of the job description and the money is better.

So fingers crossed all around...

Hope you are all having a good start to the new year.

Take it easy

SkintMonkey

SkintMonkey

Well...

I've started to see a noticeable difference in my debt balance, which is making me feel a lot better. I'm being a lot more disciplined, although could be a lot better. Have found January particularly difficult for some reason, but can't wait til pay day on the 31st!

Have been doing well on Pigsback, just ordered my first £10 voucher and am already back up to £5 worth of credit which is cool...

House move plans are really starting to happen - this afternoon, tomorrow and Thursday we have an estate agent coming around to value the place and then from next week it will be on the market. Am very excited, but very very nervous about it all. Have never sold a house before, so I'm finding it a bit daunting. We are going to arrange some viewings this weekend and next weekend as have seen some places we like online, but really want to secure an offer on our place as soon as possible.

Work wise, things may be on the up too. A new job in my team will be advertised soon which I'm really interested in - better level and money, so fingers crossed. The job description hasn't been finalised yet, but from what my boss told me, the job sounds like the new challenge I really need. So watch this space.

Anyway, as usual not sure quite who is reading my random ramblings, but hope all is going well with you and your money saving plans!

Take it easy,
SM x

SkintMonkey

Whaoooo! (again) We've just put our house on the market! So excited, things are really moving forward. Moving house is a huge thing for loads of reasons, nearer to my work (no 45minute each way car journey every day), nearer to my folks, nearer civilisation, bigger house (we are both quite broody, so will need more room for future sproggies) - I can't wait.

Just got to get someone to buy the place and find our dream house...easy peasy!! (?????)

do_it_today!

Hey SkintMonkey - just read your thread you sound very enthusiastic and seem to plugging along great guns!
good luck

SkintMonkey

do_it_today! wrote:

Hey SkintMonkey - just read your thread you sound very enthusiastic and seem to plugging along great guns!
good luck

Thank you. I spent a lot of last year dithering with my head in the sand, but this year I'm determined to take action! Although I did learn to swim last year, so shouldn't be too hard on myself.

I appreciate all encouragement!

climbgirl

Sounds like things are really moving along for you SkintMonkey, hope it all goes well!