Crunchie Time (and not just on Fridays)

Betsie2010

Hi All

Well have been on this web site for a couple of weeks, just lurking, watching and posting occasionally. I have signed up to a couple of forums to try and see how I could rise to the challenge.

Now is the time to take the plunge - I cowardly waited until today as I was due to pay off 1 of my 0% CCs today and wanted to be able to paint an accurate picture.

So here I am setting my wares before you all !!

I have 3 CC debts, 2 on 0% and 1 which I am paying interest on (and the biggest)
I have Hp on sofa from d*S and a bike loan which runs out in Dec, yay more money into the pot.

So how did I get here?? Well, like many I came out of a divorce and unfortunately there was a miscalulation along the way and I found myself with a shortfall of 10K. Then there were expenses to do with moving and essentials to buy etc. BUT now I am going to put my best foot forward and actually CLEAR my debts before buying anything not actually needed.

I have compeleted my soa but cannot see how to save it, but it does show that it is "do -able". But again, like others I do want to live life too so will be searching for money saving tips and ideas.

Any ideas, well most anyway! readily accepted!

Hightower13

Hi Betsie2010. Just wanted to say hi and good luck with clearing your debts! I'm new on here so don't really know what advice to give but someone will be along to help

Betsie2010

Up far too early! Look after 2 small boys and today they arrived at 6.30am. Well I may be up but am not awake:(
However, they are very much awake and full of joy and noise as only small boys can be!

So its onto the 1st mug of tea of the day (the 1st of many) and trying to join the land of the living.

The dog thinks she's going to get up early too and have an early morning walk, but I don't think so. At the moment I am restricted in my walking as I badly sprained my ankle 10 days ago and tore a ligament - it is still healing and painful so having a friend walk her again today. Dog cannot understand why she is not going on her mega walks with me! Thank goodness for friends who actually help out rather than just offer.

Well going to try and have a NSD day today as I know the next few will be spendy. This challenge really focuses the mind and makes me think about every spend.

My soa makes it all look so feasible on paper but in reality it is all tight. I suppose it doesn't really allow for life happening though does it?

Anyway onwards and downwards.....:)

Betsie2010

WOO HOO :j

Have just checked my bank statements vs monies owed from work and it would appear thay they owe me approx £1000

I have got to get it checked tonight but am hoping it is correct. That and my mileage allowance will make a huge dent in my CC bill - going to pay it staright as so I will not be tempted to spend it.

Well I may treat the dog to some pigs ears as I feel a bit guilty that she is not getting her proper walks at the moment:(

Betsie2010

Good day today so shall make sure it is documented to keep me hopeful when times get harder.
In the process of down loading the free John Le Carre books - link from mse http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/bargains-deals-discounts#audio10
That will give me something to listen to while at work!:j

Roasted a gammon this evening which I haven't had for years. They were on special offer from Tes** and fed 3 of us easily so very pleased. Made DD eat same as us rather than open pasta sauce and waste half of it as she is normally wont to do.:)

Dog currently having funny 5 mins while she barks at the tigers on Tv - does she really think she can take them on?? Loon:rotfl:

Still waiting for our Treasurer to ring to confirm my outstanding payments but having worked it all out I am not going to give up that easily. So fingers crossed x

Betsie2010

Well still hanging in there! Managed a NSD day which was a huge achievement as the call from the local shop for the large bar of chocolate was very loud!
However, I know that tomorrow and the week end are going to be a struggle so I resisted:T
Well parents visited today and am pleased to say my garden is a lot more tamed and all my internal doors now open without me having to shove them 1st !
Dog was pleased to have someone else to follow all day and she "helped" my Mum with all the weeding, digging and general sweeping. Just to make sure a good job was being done:D
Still waiting to hear back from my Treasurer who apperas to have gone to ground and is not answering my calls.....but I will not give up !
Well tomorrow is another day and it starts with a chiropractor appt so pain for the back and purse!

Betsie2010

:(Chiropractor visit done but he wants to see me again next week to try and deal with my ankle injury. So good news in that it will heal quicker but bad news in the additional cost.
However, while in town I bought my 1st C*mas pressie, a cake stand reduced from £7.99 - £4.99 so a saving!
Also bought all my fruit and veg for the week from local market stall, this time only bought what I will know we need and will eat.:)
Have a local theatre trip tonight with girlfriends and our daughters so a real Girls night out!
Still keeping the spending diary and even though I knew it would be a spending day it is still frightening to write it all down. It does make me think twice as well before actually spending so it must be doing some good:T

Betsie2010

A real mixed bag today and tbh I feel really fed up tonight so have hit the wine and chocolate. And on a school night too.

So 1st the good -
:)Had a lovely lunch out today with my 2 ds and at a 50% disount thanks to a voucher for Bell* Itali* We sat outside in the sun and it was glorious!
Managed to speak to someone at B* who actullay understood me ! Have switched to Infinity yet still saving money so all good. And they confirmed that I do in actual fact have a credit on the account of £245 and would I like that refunded to my Bank Account?? Would I??

Then the bad -
:mad:Another £30 at the Chiropractor today and my ankle is still in agony. Yet more treatment required.
:mad:Found water on the kitchen floor and decided it must be a leak from the water pipes as I couldn't see anywhere esle it could be from. So my Insurance sent a very nice plumber who diagnosed the problem as .......my fridge whish was discharging its condensation. Boy did I feel stupid:embarasse he was really nice about it but not sure if that made it worse or not...
:mad:Had a new 0% credit card application refused today. I don't really want the additional credit, just the 0% for a few months would have given me a bit of a breathing space.
:mad:And now my Treasurer seems to be avoiding me and I am desperate to clear up all the outstanding monies work owe me. She is handing everything over next week (allegedly, but thats a whole new story) and I want her to sort it all before she goes.
So that's me for today. Weds is certainly a hump day - oh well tomorrow is another day. Fresh day, new page!

Betsie2010

Really fed up - can't seem to shift this feeling. Bank accounts not looking healthy and 2 weeks to go until more money due in. Going to be a very tight month I think. Car insurance paid today, both ds training fees paid. Tomorrow WILL be a NSD, I insist.
Still fighting with treasurer over monies owed and she keeps fobbing me off - told her today how tight this month is and hopefully she will sort it out tomorrow. Really wearing me down keep going over and over the same ground.:mad:
Oh well tomorrow is another day ......

Betsie2010

Hurrah:j
After several days, and several attempts, I have eventually managed to get all my Bank Accounts and credit cards to balance on my Home Accountz. I lost all the previous records on my old PC and it has taken me 8 months to seek a replacement and enter all the data. BUT now it says the same as the on line banking !:T
So now I can see at a glance exactly what I have coming in and going out and then double check it against my Bank Accounts! Phew

So am knackered now, off to tidy bedroom and make up bed which I stripped this morning - hate that feeling! But nice clean bed sheets tonight

pinkpinkuk

Yay for getting organised :T

Hopefully the treasurer will get her bum in gear soon about that refund, it sounds like that's going to be a massive help. I'll be following eagerly