Give me a kick up the *** I need it!

Sharon87

kaz0705 wrote: »

See, I think that's it, isn't it. After the snowball you can either say: right, don't want to wait til 2014, going to throw everything at it OR you say 'ok, well, I can live with that'...

And then its down to you to make any adjustments in order to be debt free sooner or later.

London rents are outrageous. I was paying £850 for a studio flat in Putney just so I could feel safe coming home at 3am (also coz he cycles and it was closer to his work).

Don't know where you need to be for work but Forest Hill and Blackheath are cheaper and Lee is much nicer than I expected (all SE) or westbourne park (where I am) is AMAZING. Not sure about rents though as I've been lucky enough to now be in a place my dad owns so am paying mortgage and bills rather than overinflated rent and bills...

Good luck.

Westbourne Park is about £600 a month including bills, the other 2 places are a little far out. I have to take into consideration transport costs as well, as Zone 3-6 travel cards or PAYG on Oyster is a lot. I would prefer Zone 2 to 3 because then I can walk a bit further to a zone 2 tube or get the bus if I've got a travel card.

I'm looking North/North West similar area to where I am. But I'm more flexible than I was last time I looked (I wanted this area specifically, I literally moved 1 street away!).

I may have to resign to the fact I need to pay a bit more in rent than here, it's a bargain this house! In fact if I stayed here, the rent would go up. I'll need to do another SOA in September...

firesidemaid

kensal green/rise are where i used to live, a while back granted - i used to have a zone 2 annual card, which got me a % off other fares too.

also lived in brockley, which is zone 2 but SE london. i used to use loot for my house shares. the tip also is to see which rents include bills and how well-insulated and generally nice the houses/rooms are.

some seem better value for money than others

Sharon87

Bit of an update

I'll be getting my money owed to me by brother's girlfriend on Wednesday (£150), but I had a letter about overpaid housing benefit of about £250, which I need to pay back soon, so that's going towards that. I've also written a letter to tax man asking for about £65 back from last tax year.

My ebay items are ending Sunday night, 2 have bids and most have watchers, some multiple watchers. I have 8 items on at the minute. I'm listing more tomorrow, ones that start from 99p as it's no longer free listing day. Also done an ebay spreadsheet

I have just parted with some of my savings for driving lessons and have decided when I have no money I'll take one 2 hour lesson every fortnight instead of my planned once a week. I've had 2 so far and I'm really learning quite quickly compared to my previous instructor 3 years ago! I'm glad I've got this instructor!

Now to watch Murray thrash this guy!! Come on Murray!!

chickilegirl

Sharon87 wrote: »

I was planning on going Download last weekend, but decided I couldn't afford it, so I have some self control. I paid for Reading out of my wages, not credit. I know it could have gone towards debt, but I did pay off £200 debt that month as well (was a good month!)

Sorry Sharon but if you're in debt then you haven't really paid for the ticket. You've just financed it by not paying back existing debt, which really is the same as paying for it by credit. You still have the interest accruing on the 200 you could have paid off the debt.

This sounds harsh but you need to grow up a bit. In 10 years time you won't care about these bands anymore, you'll probably like different ones but if you don't get a grip now you'll be paying for the bands you're seeing now in your 30's.

Having spent my 20s overspending the start of my 30s weren't that much fun!

Good luck:)

Sharon87

Well I'm planning on living a fun 20s, but also paying off my debt that started from being a student. As the previous posts show I've already made steps, like cutting back, things were getting a bit out of control, so I'm making cut backs, earning money by selling stuff on ebay. Tonight for example I'm having a cheap night in with one glass of Pimms and catching up on the week's TV, instead of going to my favourite night club (only been there 5 times, but it's my favourite!) To be honest Reading was an impulse buy, me and my friend saw them on first day of sale and said right, let's buy them! The bands that were playing that we wanted to see would have cost a lot more to see at individual gigs. That's one impulse buy I'm happy about.

I have said no more gig tickets this year, unless ACDC announce a tour (highly unlikely) I would pay loads to see them!!! lol. That could be the Pimms the talking though. Nobody let me loose with a credit/debit card once I've had a bit of booze!!

atush

Kick. Pimms isn't cheap.

firesidemaid

atush wrote: »

Kick. Pimms isn't cheap.

although i did spy a four pack of ready-made pimms n lemonade in B+M for £2.99;)

Sharon87

It was cheap I got it on offer from Tesco a couple of months ago. 2 for £20 or something for 1L bottles It's lasting me ages.

atush

Make sure you use Value lemonade, not the expensive stuff lol.

And you spent 20 quid on Pimms a fedw omnths back- not very Money saving then were you lol. Still, if it keeps you out of the clubs so be it. Still not sure you are taking this seriously enough, but we will see in 3 months time I guess.

Sharon87

Well £20 for pimms is better than £30 in a club. Also I have loads of it left. It'll last me till winter at least! I always buy the Sainsburys own brand about 48p, the value tastes horrible even with Pimms added!

I started my spending diary and stuck with it so far. Since 18/6/11 I've spent £13.37 on food and £15.20 on transport (mostly for work) £37.67 towards debt. But I had to buy some house stuff to replace what my brother took which came to £34.99 (was £44.99 but I had a £10 Argos voucher ).

I've also made £26 profit selling a few things on ebay. Got loads more to list. And I'm getting the money back I'm owed in the next couple of days.

I am taking it seriously, just having some fun and not being a total recluse!