London Socialite Sees The Light

LondonGirl252

Hi!

Today has started well, got into work nice and early and completed a whole exam question. My hand had cramp after but when I compared my answer to the marking scheme I would have marked it highly (and I mark myself quite harshly) so I'm pleased with that.

The girls I work with went out for Dim Sum and lunch but I was good and declined, as I'm not in the rest of the week I can spend more on my allowance in these 3 days so definitly not wasting money by going out!

I have mentioned to my friend who I'm going out with tonight that I'm not really drinking and she was cool so I hope to spend less than £10 tonight though I do have £20 in my purse including the £10 from yesterdays NSD so that's the most I can spend.

Got the letter through from the Post Office last night confirming my balance transfer and have sent off the direct debit form to pay the minimum payments on that. I cancelled the Barclaycard (£0) account last night as I definitley won't need to bal tfr there now with the Post Office one sorted.

My Halifax credit card DD for this month is still due to go out so once that is cleared I will have £349.48 left to pay off. I pay £234.95 next payday and the balance the pay day after.

Then my snowballs are firmly aimed at the Nationwide credit card. If I follow the snowball that should be paid off September next year, however from January I plan to pay £50 extra off each month that should bring it forward by 1 or 2 months.

Then it's the new post office card, snowball currently says May 2013 for this one to be gone but again I aim to bring this forward.

As the Santander loan will be paid off this July with the usual fixed payment, that will then just leave the Nationwide loan. Snowball currently says Feb 2014 however, I plan to throw my bonuses at this loan (every Feb) and also with increase monthly payments and getting the rest paid off quicker I think that I might just be able to have this gone by summer 2013.

If I alter the snowball and enter £600 pm as I intend to do from Jan then even without any extra bonus payments it says August 2013 will be my DFD so hopefully I can bring that forward if work are kind!!!

Phew... easy.... right????

Southern_Sadie

Well done London Girl. You sound so organised. August 2013 isn't really that far off, and if you get the odd small windfall or sell more on Amazon you might end up bringing it forward.

I was wondering what you drink when you go out and aren't drinking alcohol? I have a few friends in London who are teetotal and they complain that soft drinks are sometimes no cheaper than booze, especially if there's some kind of deal on wine etc. I wouldn't know as I never buy soft drinks

LondonGirl252

Thanks, no it doesn't seem soo bad now I've got it all organised and i hope I should be able to bring it forward!

Yeah they're right, I often have lemonade and lime, orange juice or J2O's and in normal pubs and bars local to me they are cheaper but if you go out centrally or to more upmarket places they can be just as expensive particularly if there are deals on.

My friend just told me the bar we're going to tonight is happy hour until 7 so I probably will actually share a bottle of wine with her at 1/2 price as it will probably work out the same if not cheaper!

Horace

Have fun tonight - you are doing really well.

Must admit that when I go out I tend to drink tonic water that way folks can't tell if I have vodka in it or not:rotfl: Soft drinks are always expensive which is madness really when they should be encouraging folks not to drink and drive.

Must admit that I am a bit sneaky these days, I used to go to a breakfast meeting in a casino which I had to join to get in so if I want to meet friends for coffee, we meet in there because the coffee is free:D

I felt guilty today, I had my hair done in an uber posh hair salon (Adee Phelan) but my hairdresser is a chum and asked Adee if he could do my hair for half price so in essence my mum paid £60 although she had given me £150 for petrol and my hair do. I was naughty and treated myself to lunch whilst I was out too - there is a nice little coffee shop tthat I know where I got a double shot latte, homemade carrot cake and a ciabatta roll with black forest ham, sundried tomato and rocket..it cost me £8.30 as I was eating in but I needed to be there to chat to the owner because I am thinking of putting on an event in there after hours. Still having my hair done has done wonders for my confidence because I was starting to feel like a grey old dag:(

turbo.jet

I believe you need those treats every now and again to prevent a total relapse! As long as your over-all debts are going down or savings going up that is. That's my opinion anyway

happihorse

I have just read the whole of your diary - it has taken me the best part of two evenings!

You are doing so well, especially to keep up your motivation - really well done!

I also had to do professional exams while working full time and I know how difficult it is to study after a full day's work.

You are really lucky to be able to ride for free and in London too! I have a horse and I find that riding and looking after him is such a great way to unwind, but it certainly isn't cheap!

Good luck. I have subscribed to your diary so will be keeping track of your progress.

LondonGirl252

Hey Horace!

That's a great idea! OJ is such a giveaway!! Last night was hilarious! It was happy hour when we arrived so we got a bottle of wine for £10 (my turn to buy) then when two of my colleagues friends left, they left over half a bottle of wine too, so we finished that off! Oops! Anyway the evening was a weird set up, bit like a school disco where boys were too scared to ask girls to dance and it was slim pickings anyway!! But me and my friend had great fun people watching and left early feeling quite merry! We were chatted up by 2 guys but their chat was limited... anyway we tried!!

That's a great idea though, if you can get it free, why pay??

Your day sounds heavenly, and like Turbo.Jet says, you have to treat yourself every now and then to keep motivation high and remember why we are doing this! Its such a nice feeling to be pampered!

LondonGirl252

Hi Happihorse!

LOVE the username! Thanks for reading

I'll be so pleased when they are done, it will be a weight of my mind!

I am, its 5am starts but totally worth it! Horses are great therapy aren't they? Have you had your boy long? They're so expensive, I'd love to own my own one day but it is a very distant dream

Thanks, I appreciate the support!

LondonGirl252

Morning all,

It's so nice to have so many nice supporters on this thread, makes me keep wanting to check it and keeps me on track

Summed up last night above, only spent £10 so happy with that!

Today is the day of the lunch, im having a nice lie in, whilst Ive got my laptop in bed with me I need to track my cashback with the post office card, I need to apply for it differently as wasn't immediatly accepted.

Then I'll get up, do some washing, possibly run, go to the library then get ready.

The lunch is costing £27 and the bar there is super cheap but as Im up at 5 tomorrow to ride I'm planning to drink the wine that comes with the meal and then switch to soft drinks at 50p! score! Looking forward to seeing everyone they are always good fun! I've already saved as every one previously I have bought a new dress for, not today! I plan to rip out my wardrobe and will no doubt find something I'd forgotten about!

Have a great day!

Moos_mum_2

Hi

Have been reading your diary and just wanted to say well done :T

You are doing so well. Your posts and your success so far are really motivational .

Love
Moos mum