1 Step Closer Diary

1_step_closer

Well some good news! Dad is home and has been given the all clear, so I am well chuffed. Slept prpoerly for the first time in ages last night!

So back to tackling the debt.................must admit I did go a bit (OK a lot) nuts these past few weeks, with takeaways, treats for the hubby and the animals............petrol costs shot up, car needed a new tyre, etc etc

Also the car people screwed up the car payments. Now they have a good apr - 6% - but we exchanged 2 cars for 1 and shifted the HP. To cut a long story short, I forgot to cancel the old dd, they didn't receive some kind of refund from the garage and then took a double payment in Jan on top of the new repayments. So I do have £163 coming back to me (I'd better) but I could have done without that! Also council tax doesn't go out this month and next month so that's a bit of breathing space.

I am also going to write to Mint and ask them to take off the PPI from card and will write to Monument and ask them to reduce my credit limit. I am sure I probably have some other cards hanging around that are paid up so would it be better to cancel them completely or ask them to reduce the limit?

Thank you in advance for your help!

XX

1_step_closer

Just to add to my earlier post, my cards are:

Mint 3.9%apr for another 5 months. Limit £6200, bal £see signature

Monument 26.48%apr. Limit £6200, bal see signature. have just done a letter asking them to reduce the limit to £2K.

American Express blue card Limit £1800, balance - they owe me £0.91

Egg Limit £2000, balance nil, just asked them to cancel the card.

I feel a touch more in control now!

1_step_closer

Quick update:

Branston now has £16.40.

Egg phoned me and said that I would have 0% on BT for 6 months at the start of March so I will transfer my balance of Monument onto it. I have had to use my Monument card twice this week as the car people overtook on my current account but once I get my refund, I'll repay the card straight away.

Think I am getting there.............I did myself a little spreadsheet of my debts but complicated it so much I have confused myself!

Might go and redo it...................

Everyone enjoying the snow?

1_step_closer

Nope still confused!

At least they are going down anyway..............

bobbie78

Hi I'm so glad your Dad is doing better and is back home. It must be a huge relief.

I know there are some spreadsheets knocking about that other people have done already. I can't remember where I saw them though but have a hunt around or ask in a new thread and I'm sure you'll find one that helps.

Well done on the smoking too, look on google for silkquit it is a little programme you run on your computer and it tracks how much you have saved and how long you haven't smoked for. It is a great motivator as you can see how long it has been and when you haven't smoked for One month, two weeks, one day, 1 hour, 14 minutes and 11 seconds (in my case) seeing it written down like that helps to stop me reaching for the ciggys as quickly than when I've tried quitting before.

1_step_closer

Thank you!

I will be switching a few things round soon so will ask for spreadsheets then.

I am on nicotine lozenges, on prescription so tons cheaper. We are on day 13 so far. Not killed yet!!!

GirlRacer_2

Well hello 1 step. Sorry to hear about your Dad's illness but glad he's on the road to recovery. Have read all your diary and can't believe how successful you've been with the non-smoking when you've been under so much stress. Keep going with the Branston Jar and ploughing away at your debts. Keep posting!

1_step_closer

Thanks! Branston now has £16.40. The non smoking has been hard, especially the last 3 days when i wanted to kill anything that moved.

I wasn't sure anyone read my diary so it's nice to know it is!

GirlRacer_2

I like the diaries, I always read Dizzies as its so humourous. Just started reading yours now and was impressed at your determination. What do you save in your Branston Jar? I've got a big Bells Whiskey jar for anything under 10p a money saving tube for 20p, 50p and 10p's and a tin (that you can only open with a can opener) for my £2's.

1_step_closer

Branston has £2 coins, and silver 20p and under.
Horlicks has 2p and 1p

I think this year I will put it all towards Christmas!