Risen from the ashes ...

rising_from_the_ashes

Elantan - thanks!

I'm so relieved to be finally rid of it but so worried I go off the rails again...... really need to get it licked this time.

I think the budgeting is the key as I've never managed to do it and it's always been "rob Peter pay Paul" each month and it's just not sustainable - without running into trouble.


Debtfree - also thanks!

You will get there - it may feel like forever at the minute, but just keep plugigng away and you will do it.

Look forward to reading your diary too!:)

rising_from_the_ashes

• Fund for winter / bad weather bus money

Have just dug the £ coins out my purse and put them into a tin

Only £8 so far but if I keep doing this, it will mount up and hopefully help a lot:)

Need to start another one with some 10p, 20p and 50ps - wish the bus companies gave change!


Don't want another repeat of last year when it was a month on the bus (about £130) and no money put aside!:eek:

banwa

Great diary RFTA, v inspring that you have cleared your debts.

I might pinch your 'what I'm good at' idea, it's fab:T

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks Banwa

I think we often get so side-tracked by our "problem areas" that it's really easy to forget that there will always be somethings we are quite good at.

I'm hoping that by putting down both things, it'll help me concentrate on using the good to help with the bad IYSWIM;)

rising_from_the_ashes

So .... couple of days since I've put any words down - have been feeling a bit crook so (I know, that's NO excuse!).

Need a couple of things from Lake*land (although will admit there are also several wants too:o but that's an entirely different matter and they will have to wait!).

Honestly, I've been on their website, added the stuff to the basket, logged off, back on again etc numerous times - but that's still a big improvement as "the old me" would've just shoved the whole lot in the basket, bought it and never thought twice.:eek:

I have found the things slightly cheaper elsewhere but they're not a perfect match for what I need (which the Lake*land stuff is) - I know from previous experience if they're not right, I'll end up buying the ones I really need in a couple of months so .... spend £20 now and risk having to spend £30 in a couple of months or spend £30 now ...... dilemma of the day!


I'm actually struggling to believe I'm worring about / thinking twice about spending £30 ...... ohhhh how times have changed:D

jaffacakegal

Hi RFTA,

Your SOA looks similar to mine, although I bring in about £300 a month less than you :rotfl:so that nice difference on yours is none existant for me!

Good luck with the budgeting, will keep an eye on you

JCG x

man_on_a_mission_2

Hey man,

Congrats on getting debt free, I am very similar to yourself in the sense I am very compulsive which has always been my downfall. Currently paying off my debts which I hope to finalise by March 2012, my main motivation is not wanting to feel this cr*p ever again and with a bit of hard work and good discipline, I can get into the green and finally save for a house which I have always dreamt about.

Stay strong!

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks JCG - it's honestly the first time I've had "spare" money to do a proper budget and try to stick to it.

My debt repayments were more than the £250 I've got left now, which is I guess one of the reasons I've never managed to actually put money away to cover things.

Good luck with your budgeting too - I'll have a look later and see if you've a diary and "pop in" if so.:D


Hi Man on a Mission - well done for tackling the debts, it'd "beeping" hard work but honestly a huge sense of relief when it's done.:D

You've not got long to go .... you can do it!:)

banwa

Hey there, I know exactly what you mean about lakeland, the stuff is such good quality:D. If you buy something from there that you will use, it will last you forever, so if you can afford it, it might be a false economy to buy elsewhere?

Provided it's not on a weekly basis of course;)

rising_from_the_ashes

So, have been up since silly o'clock again and had a thought ..... of course, now that I've had it - I can't sleep!:)

Think I'm going to try a weekly spending review - should be fairly easy to do with my new spending diary!;)

Thought I'd look at whether I've managed to get the best price on things, are they "wants" or "needs" etc.

It may be a bit odd the first few weeks until I'm out and about again but worth a try!:)

They will run from a Thursday to Wednesday as I'm at home Weds pm so an ideal time to do it.....