Time to get it sorted

Squidge123

Goodmorning all

I guess I've had my LBM. It was a bit of a shock and I've already put some plans into action to get it sorted so I'm proud of myself for that one - I'm just not proud of myself for getting into debt to begin with but then who is...

I've sat and worked it out and I am about £5000 in debt:

Santander Overdraft: £1140
Santander Card: £3300
Family Member: £270
Friend 1: £100
Friend 2: £150
Friend 3: £20 - this is only little but will be paid off next pay day.

Total: £4980

I phoned Santander about my overdraft and have agreed to start paying £100 (or more if I can afford it) a month from September 23rd to pay it off. I hope to be able to pay more and clear that off. Friend 3 will also be paid Sept 23rd.

I've set up envelopes - wk 1, 2, 3, 4 and petrol to budget myself so that everything else can go towards bills and debts. I'm also going to start taking my own lunch to work as I'm spending approx £2-3 plus in the canteen at work 5 days a week - thats £10-15 a week - £40-60 a month just on food at work that could actually go towards other more helpful things.

I bring home approx £900 per month so I should be able to sort myself out. My only issue is for the past few months my boyfriend has been off sick so I've been supporting him as well meaning I haven't been budgeting as much. He's now back at work properly so I won't be needing to support him as much.

I've signed up to be an Ann Summers Angel to get some extra money through handing out catalogues. This money will help to pay off debts and then will go into an account to save up money for a place with me and my boyfriend.

So I guess I'm posting on here so that when I feel myself slipping I can post on here and hopefully get some support to keep me going.

Sorry for my long rambling post! I'll post later when I've hopefully had an NSD. The only thing I plan on doing is lending my boyf £1.70 bus fair so he can get to work to earn the money that in the long run will let me stop supporting him so much financially and get myself back on track.

Squidge 123

Squidge123

I've just put my debt in my signature so I can cut it down each time I pay something off.

Squidge123

I'm hoping some people will post on here and help me stay encouraged to keep doing this. I spoke to friend #1 who said that once all the birthdays and car stuff are out the way I can pay her back. She's not desperate for the money back so wants me to finish supporting the boyf before I pay her back - the same goes for friend #2.

I didn't have an NSD today so I'm not happy about that. However I have managed to made £20 last in my car for a week so should be able to cut my petrol budget down each month

Hovel_lady

A shiny new diary :T
Just wanted to say good luck and look forward to hearing how you get on.
If you don't keep a spending diary can I suggest you keep one? You'll be amazed where the money goes.
And do check out the OS (Old Style) board - loads of ideas there about making the pennies stretch a bit further.

Squidge123

Cool thanks Hovel lady. I've been lurking on the boards for a while and have actually been reading your diary as I go.
I did start a diary but it kinda went out the window and I don't know why tbh. I'm going to try it again though. I have made a vow to myself that I won't be buying any new books. That is normally where most of my money goes and I have so many that are unread that I can read them and probably be debt free by the time I'm done!

Hovel_lady

Oo books don't mention them I'll want to go to a bookshop tomorrow :rotfl:

Thank you for reading my diary x

Squidge123

I'm addicted to reading. I downloaded the kindle to my laptop and mobile but nothing beats a paper book.

I've hit the end of my first week on my budget and I still have £1 in my purse which I want to put in a pot to build up. I have a sealed pot where I put 10p or less into. It's half full already. I make and sell jewellery - I set up my own little business last year but because I'm working full time to cover debts and bills etc the business is on a go slow but hopefully it will pick up soon.

savingholmes

Hi Squidge - just coming along to wish you good luck on your journey. We've made massive inroads into our debt since we joined three years ago. I'm sure you can too. Perhaps look a the up your income board for ideas on making more money or see if the Make £10 a day challenge is still running on the DFW board. Reading other diaries for motivation and ideas also helps and will bring new posters to your diary too...

Enjoy

Squidge123

I'm planning on becoming an Ann Summers Angel. It's like Avon... You hand out the catalogues and get 20% commission.
Not very much but something to give a go and get some extra finance in.
I'm determined today will be an NSD....at least something in my sig will be changing. Got to check my bank balance etc as well today to make sure enough money is in there for the phone bill.

Squidge123

So in theory today was an NSD - the money I did spend was to be able to take food to work all week otherwise everyday would be a spending day

I have no reason to spend any money tomorrow or Sunday that I can forsee. In fact I'm going to have a clear out of my room and find DS games and DVDs that I don't watch that can be sold to make some money to go into my pot.

I will be picking up the Ann Summers Catalogues next week and just need to find some other ways to make some money. I can crochet but only blankets - I haven't ventured into anything else yet and I make and sell jewellery as a small business. My hosting is due for renewal soon but I've found an ace site that is actually free to host my site on so will spend some time at the weekend setting that up which will give me no reason to spend money but will give me a way to save some money )

I also have £4.05 in my OnePoll account - just got to get to £40 to transfer it into an account. Does anyone know if there are any ways to be paid for writing reviews etc. I love to write (as you can tell from my rambling posts!!!) and would love to be able to write reviews to make a bit of extra money.

Hope everyone is having a great day

Squidge

FuzzyBear

Hi Squidge123 - I am new on here - started this week but have already had nice comments and support and I am sure you will get the same on your journey.

Ann Summers Angels is a new one on me - am going to subscribe as interested to hear how you get on with that along with you debtbusting - good luck