Feel the fear but do it anyway

doingitanyway

A new start so deleting old diary. Onwards and upwards...

Itsadogslife_2

You really have been through it lately haven't you - I think you have done amazingly well to still be sane, if it were me, I would be rocking quietly in the corner

I too want to shed a couple of pounds so I will give you a shove in that direction.

Well done for staying positive through a horrid time. Good luck on the job applications

Want_to_be_free

I do feel your pain...I lost my partner for a while ago and along with sadness, I had to deal with all finances... It sucks...But on a good note, you are here and you are writing.

Writing here is so therapeutic, you get lots of help advise and also sympathy. Somewhere in my first diary I did say I was saving money because I did not have to pay for a
Counselor...

Things will get scary, and maybe worst but then slowly and surely start getting better. Actually getting better it is totally up to you. Please do not give up.

I don't know your personal circumstances but rather then selling, couldn't you rent a room or two in your home? That was my solution to my money issues but also I did not want to be on my own in the house for a while...

Things will get better , just believe in yourself x

Hovel_lady

If you want to reply to a message click on the "Quote" button.

Just dropping in to say hello and wish you luck with your plans xx

beanielou

To add a signature at the end of your posts go up to 'User CP' near to the top of the page.When you click on that one of the options is to either add or ammend signature.Just follow the instructions.

Happy shiney new diary.
Keep posting and keep plodding!

Buffythedebtslayer

morning xx

Right, you need to do a statement of affairs which is like a big budget list of everything you spend. I will find the link in a second.

Essentially the rule re debts is pay off the hightest interest debts first, if you have loans check the early payment penalties.

Next thing to do is see if you can sell anything (Ebay, Gumtree, Preloved) or do you have any time for a second job?

This forum is an amazing source of information and speaking as someone who loves a self help I have never found a "money book" that is as good as this place, someone here somewhere will be able to answer any question you could think of

Will be back with the link

xx

Buffythedebtslayer

really sorry thought I had posted this ages ago!

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Have a look - you don't have to publish it if you don't want to, it is just good to have a think about what you are spending

take care xxxx

Aesop

:hello: doingitanyway

ok, you don't want sympathy but have some hugs ((((((((((( ))))))))

1. Your SOA Calculator is here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=1050559&postcount=1

2. Hovel Lady and Beanielou have told you how to quote and add a signature.

3. yes a slow cooker is definitely worth buying. It uses less electricity than an oven, you can freeze any excess meals you make, therefore saving money having to cook more.

Fab Slow cooker recipes here, click on the blue word here, this will link you to them.

4. Why not make your own crisps? Root vegetables make great crisps and healthy too


5. Watch out for Tesco glitches on wine you can still get some decent wine cheaply

6. Re oven - have you tried freecycle/freegle? People give away things that are still in good working order, because they have upgraded, are moving, etc.

7. Losing weight - I am rubbish at this, but good for you for going to the gym. you are right, exercise releases feel good feelings. There is a challenge here, that may help you to keep motivated. I am still trying to work up the energy to join in.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=29632895&postcount=1

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=47283507&postcount=918

this challenge above is to lose weight through exercise. But to make it interesting they have challenges, ie use exercise to cross the "virtual English Channel" - in other words you have to cover the miles that it would take to cross the channel in exercise. ie walking a mile, etc.

8. and have a look here, fab thread.

hope some of this helps. Keep posting.

Aesop

There are some really, really lovely people here on the debt free diaries, who will do their best to help. Beanie is great for moral support, just when you need that bolster, along she comes, with a huge shoulder to lean on and the right words to keep you going

yes, hitting the thanks button, tells everyone you found the post useful.

Well done on the £1 carcasses! never knew health shops did them, very mse of you! :money: That's another suggestion. Try your local butchers and greengrocers or farm where you live for good fruit and veg, not at the overpriced supermarket prices. And if you make friends with your local butcher, he may let you have the odd chicken carcass for free. or at least very cheaply. Also he can sell you cuts of meat for the slow cooker cheaper than the supermarkets. If you tell him you have a slow cooker and what you want to cook in it, he can give you the tougher pieces of meat cheaply that break down in the slow cooker for tasty meat.

About your taps, try for those on freecycle/freegle too, you will be surprised what people are giving away.

Not sure about where you live, and don't say on here, but do you have anything like timebank? it is a volunteer group. Basically timebankers do jobs for each other, free of charge, but the time spent is banked and when that time banker needs work reciprocated they have the time in lieu. And you don't have to be a plumber, or anything in return. you could offer your time to someone else, ie writing a letter, reading a book, filling in a form etc. google it and see if anything like that in your area. or something called skillswap.

And yes you are right, we are all allowed a small treat from time to time. Mine is going to be dinner with a friend, paid for by the Daily Mail Reward

And my last bottle of wine ? was from a mystery shop I did

good luck.

Aesop

oh yes, meant to tell you, if you are with Virgin Media for your internet and are finding it expensive, depending when your contract is due to expire, call them and tell them you are thinking of leaving as you can get it cheaper with the Yorkshire guys, and see if they will offer you a better deal.

Aesop

There's no pressure to post your SOA. People like to see it to suggest where you can count down on things. But you have it in black and white, and you know the areas you want to concentrate on.

£120 a month for 1 person - to me that sounds reasonable, but there are peeps that may disagree.

Although if you have no local butcher or greengrocer, that makes it harder for you.

Try whoopsie shopping. That is when you shop when the supermarkets are reducing prices on goods that have to be sold that day or the next day.

Asda actually have stickers on their items saying Whoops and the reduced price.

And don't buy pre-packaged fruit and vegetables. The hand of bananas they are selling at £1, sounds like a bargain, until you weigh a hand of bananas that you actually want, fairtrade, and find they are cheaper! Same with broccoli!