London Socialite Sees The Light

LondonGirl252

You never know! It could still happen, its a great place!

Thanks

LondonGirl252

Hi all!

I have LOTS to report!

Money this month going well, saved a bit, spent a bit, paid off a LOT!

I had confirmation that my Post Office credit card account is closed last night.

My plan to spend on the airmiles card then pay off daily is going well, as soon as I spend on it I pay it off so the balance is always zero!

Work is going well, my boss has been off the last two weeks and although I've been working long hours I've really relished the extra responsibility and challenge and think I've done well (I'm sure she'll find something negative to say though)

But the BIG news!!!!

After MONTHS of waiting, my friend S confirmed in writing that her current nightmare flatmate will be given 2 months written notice per the contract to move out on the 1st May, meaning I can move in on 1st July!!! So excited!

It's a huge house, all new and well looked after, we have a wee garden and a bath tub whereas we currently only have a stand in shower!

The girls I'll be living with are all awesome and I know them well

I need to find £1,000 deposit but for the first time in my life I have planned it and it won't be a problem and I won't have to go into debt for it!

The rent is an extra £150 a month and bills about the same as now as bigger house but more people to split between.

S's parents own the Property and unlike my current landlady, they manage it properly and I will have a tenancy agreement and my deposit will be kept safe in the Government account. I will get my current deposit from the next person who moves in, so hopefully there won't be any problems with that. My room is so huge and the rent is so cheap for the area that I think they'll have a huge choice of replacement.

I told my current flatmates on Wednesday night and they were sad I've decided to leave but were excited for me which was really sweet.

So excited for this new chapter in my life

Last weekend was a heavy one, work hen party friday then a black tie dinner Saturday (I woke up Sunday with 4 bodies in my bed - don't ask!)

This weekend I'm going to try and keep it a bit more sensible. I have so much to do for the move that I am going to try and do a bit of sorting each weekend.

Hope you're all well!

xx

Shoe_Gal

Fab news! Love reading your diary, I'm inspired by what you've achieved

LondonGirl252

Thanks

Managed to ride two horses this morning with a stonking hangover, the sun was beautiful when I woke up but by the time we got on the horses it was cloudy Still had a nice time, just got home and showered then I'm going to try and sort out a bit of my room

Trying to have a cheap weekend to make up for last weekend!

Fortune_Smiles

Hello London Girl. Just read your diary from the start - Wow! What fantastic progress you've made. Well done.

Fortune x

kjp

Hi LondonGirl, read your diary from start to finish over the past three nights and just wanted to say a huge well done! I'm about to start CIMA in September, now I feel a bit more prepared about what's to come!

On a separate note, your deposit, is it not protected in one of the government schemes? There's something about being able to claim 3x back if your landlord/lady hasn't protected it, not sure if you think it's worth the hassle but I'm sure the house forum here could give you more advice! Something to think about maybe!

Anyway, back into lurkdom now, although tempted to start my own diary!

Kx

LondonGirl252

Hi all!

Sorry I have been so absent over the last few months! It’s been so busy but also I’ve had my head in the sand a bit over money again! I’m back to confess all and fix this slip up!

So, I told you guys my plan to use the air miles credit card for my daily spending and then pay off immediately? Well, I thought I had enough self-control to do so and keep within my budget having learnt my lesson from past mistakes but its seems I’m not quite there yet! Since March, the balance has risen to £1,600, based on my current budget I’d be able to pay this off in March BUT I’m at the point now where I can’t clear the balance on there enough to avoid paying interest and 17.9% on £1,600 is a number I don’t want to pay to Lloyds thanks very much!

I’m pleased I spent lunchtime today extending my ever magical spread sheet to include 2014 or who knows when I will have realised the amount of interest I’d be facing?!

I’ve taken action: I’ve applied for the NatWest 13 month 0% balance transfer credit card (there is longer periods out there but I don’t need it and this has the lowest BT fee), it said I had been successful and gave me a limit of £3,600 but then after I put in the balance transfer details it said it couldn’t give me a decision straight away, I just asked for £1,600 balance transfer to clear the Lloyds card. So I will wait for them to write and see what I am offered, if anything. I should hopefully have done it in time to avoid the interest charge on the Lloyds card for the up-coming statement – fingers crossed I’m accepted and it’s in time!!!!!!

I will take my Lloyds credit cards out of my purse, I clearly can’t be trusted to keep within my spending allowance. Airmiles or not, it’s not worth it. I need to keep the cards open to pay for things through work in advance of being paid back expenses but that’s fine. I know the problem is having it in my purse makes me think I have money to spend when I don’t. I’ve had a spending diary for almost two years now on every card I have, having looked back its all the meals out, trips to the supermarket and general spending when out and about that is causing the problem.

I will cut up the new credit card (if) as soon as it arrives.

I’ll be angry with myself if I end up with enormous interest charges on this Lloyds card but right now I’m a bit disappointed I wasn’t able to keep my spending in check. I think I know now that I’m very much an impulsive spender and don’t think much about expensive dinners etc before saying yes.

Another reason for all this, is the arrival of a boyfriend on the scene! A is awesome and we’re having an amazing time (I met him in May) BUT he lives 300 miles away and the journeys are expensive as well as spending lots of money on dates and dinners etc (even a weekend to Paris!). He knows I struggled with debt over the last few years and admitted he’d done similar previously so I know he’ll understand (and will probably be happy to go along with it) when I tell him we need to cut waaaay back on the luxuries to keep within budget!

I’ll update you all on the credit card application status!

In other news;

I moved house in July and all is well on that front, we share cooking and household items etc so it’s pretty economical

Work is under-going that enormous re-structure. And in March my employment will be moved to the new joint venture company. I’d prefer to stay with my current work gang but a massive bonus to this move is I’ll effectively be made redundant from this company and re-employed. In doing this all the share schemes I’m currently investing in will be bought out and I’ll have a LOVELY (tax free) lump sum in March! There’s no reason why, if the above balance transfer goes to plan, all of that money can’t go into a savings account to FINALLY start some serious saving towards a house deposit!

I think that’s all for now,

Will be back soon to update!

LG x

mark55man

2 steps back but 3 steps forward - no-one can be good all the time, but don't be bad all the time either

LondonGirl252

Thanks Mark, I need to get that balance right!

Fortune_Smiles

You'll get there London Girl - none of us are angels are we :A - well I know I'm not :rotfl:

Fortune x