wot-a-mess debt crisis

wot-a-mess

Just checked bank a/c. 2 debt repayment direct debits due on Monday taken out of account today :mad:

Debt reduced a bit further :T

Need to focus on trying to earn some extra £s between now & end on month as well as continuing to live frugally & keep daily spending on incidentals to a bare minimum.

Igamogam

wot-a-mess wrote: »

Just checked bank a/c. 2 debt repayment direct debits due on Monday taken out of account today :mad:

Debt reduced a bit further :T

Need to focus on trying to earn some extra £s between now & end on month as well as continuing to live frugally & keep daily spending on incidentals to a bare minimum.

Yep I have pretty much given up on those survey sites - keep getting response - 'we have reached our target' even when I try seconds after reciving email alert! And they take up too much time. Have you tried Eb*y??

wot-a-mess

Hi Igamogam

I have never even been on Ebay but I have noticed many on here use it.

Igamogam

If you get a monent it might be worth you trying - just a couple of items to get the feel of it. Its free listing this weekend but there will be another in a couple of weeks. Register and have a smooch round the site and see what sells. There is probably a thread on here somewhere with 'experts' to give you some advice!

wot-a-mess

Had a look at ebay. Looks a bit time-consuming so think I won't bother with it.

Can't find any half-decent extra £s ideas either so looks like a long hard winter ahead trying to reduce debt, curtailing spending & trying to survive Christmas which I really am not looking forward to one little bit this year.

Not a great week at all. Hope next week is better.

I really need to try to find some extra £s somewhere but I'm getting very frustrated with the lack of progress :mad:

wot-a-mess

Ok enough of being negative:

Aims for this week coming:

1. At least 4 "no-spend" days
2. MUST MUST MUST earn some extra £s from somewhere
3. Spend no more than £10 on daily spend items i.e. bread, milk, etc.
4. Re-look at all expenditure & see if anything can be reduced further

firesidemaid

in the last couple of weeks i have shaved £37 per month off my bills.

paid my BT line rental upfront to get it at £10 a month plus they knocked a third of my bband.

sky knocked 25% off my bill for a year.

and rang eon last nite b4 i moved provider to find out they had a better deal (checked per kwh and took my own meter readings) for me to match it (plus i still get my tesco points):D

i like ebay for earning extra cash. check out what SELLS and for HOW MUCH by using the completed listings option in advanced search.

there is a great thread on her called something like 'things you never thought would sell on ebay' like broken items etc.

PLUS do you use Quidco or another cashback site?

wot-a-mess

It's 2 weeks since diary was started (It seems so much longer ). This morning is horrible... wet, windy & dark but Iam gonna be positive this week. In 2 weeks debt has reduced by £579 which seems quite a lot but it won't reduce much by month end basically as most debt payments for the month have been made. It's a bit frustrating cos I just wanna see the debt reduce.

Have not used any credit cards this month & don't plan to use them again for a while (hopefully NEVER !!)

The plan is to continue living pretty frugally but without dying of boredom. The main concern just now is that Christmas is rearing it's ugly (VERY UGLY) head & I don't wanna make good debt-busting progress for a couple of months then see it all coming crashing down with the festive season spending. The BIG challenge between now & year end is: How can I get thro the coming festive season without using credit cards whilst continuing to reduce debt. Money is very tight but I don't wanna ruin the family Christmas either. HUGE DILEMMA.

My calculations are that something in the region of £500 is required for Christmas. I don't wanna kid myself on that it can be done for £100 or £200 set this as a budget then be de-motivated by not adhering to the budget

So I need to try to be creative in:
1. Finding ways to reduce the required £500
2. Try to earn extra £s from somewhere, but I've struggled on this front so far

Hope you all have a good debt-busting week

chevalier

With regards to christmas, keep an eye on the grabbit board, as they often have absolute bargains on there. But you have to check it pretty regularly as the deals go quick. Welcome to the boards
chev

wot-a-mess

In 2 weeks we've made a few adjustments to supermarket shopping, meal plans etc., & tried to cut back in general. I've been thinking / planning all morning & scouring the boards on here. So outline plan between now & year end:

1. Do not use credit cards at all in Oct. & Nov. & only use at Xmas as a last resort.
2. Reduce overall debt by £1,500 +
3. Stick strictly to budget.

Xmas budget £500 max., but try to reduce it & make some extra £s by:

1. Surveys. As time-consuming & boring as they are every little helps
2. Use vouchers such as Morrisons fuel & Tesco points towards Xmas
3. Use cashback sites & price comparison sites for any Xmas purchases
4. Continue to look for other ways to earn extra £s

Ideally it would be heaven if debt could be reduced by £1,500 by year end & Xmas paid for without increasing debt. 69 days 'til Xmas. Can I save or earn enough to pay for it :question:

£500 seems a lot but £7.25 per day is more realistic. So £7.25 needs to be saved or earned per day to pay for Xmas. A tall order but a challenge that I'm gonna have a go at.