The "Pay ALL your debt off by Xmas 2012" challenge

hummingbird

sharronej wrote: »

It's a real back to basics way of budgeting. I have a hard back A4 notebook which I write down all my dd's for the month - 3 columns for the 3 accounts including the dates they go out on (8th & 15th). I then have a column for my envelopes: Food, Diesel, Scouts, Tutor, Playgroup, Holiday/Christmas, school dinners, son's spends etc etc literally any commitment I have for the month! Because both dh and I are self employed it's been a real struggle to get a start and end to our month..it's taken me a year and a half to co-ordinate our wages so that I get most of my money the first week in the month. One of the most satisfying moments in the month is to distribute the money over the accounts and to fill my envelopes then it's job done - all the bills paid and all the envelopes full, in the last six months I have been able to include a weekend cash envelope for a little treat. I have another column for unexpected spends under the headings of need or want and I try to note down anything extra that I spend - I don't always manage but I'm not bad with it now. The real bonus is that because all the money is accounted for I have to physically open a different envelope if I overspend and then it's very obvious that I've gone wrong so I tend to remember what I'v blown it on, it also shows me if my budgets are not adequate. This has helped me to save £1600 up in the last four months (I'm saving up to finish my bank loan off in January £2400) and has showed me that actually yes, I can save up :T

Like I said, very simple but very effective and I'd recommend it to everyone

This is brilliant! I've just started enveloping myself- I have a tin with all the envelopes stacked - this started when at the end of one month I didn't have enough for my bus fares to work. I thought this must never happen again. I need to work on perfecting the system so this is great advice!!

mf0u1098

sam09 wrote: »

Haha sorry didnt mean to make you feel worse!! Any sort of exercise is good in my opinion!

:rotfl:I really am soooo lazy, I have the best on intentions but always prefer to veg on the sofa instead... I started Pilates 1-2-1 sessions as I could claim them back on my health insurance but even this fizzled out. Although yesterday we needed carrots so me and my mum walked into town and back... It was freezing but we were out for 2 hours so think we did very well xxx

psychopathbabble

Just paid £2.59 to the cc

#068 - £239.66 / £6,492.82 (3.69%)

salkunh

Hi everyone,

Just a quick visit to say the SB spoiler site says that there'll be codes worth 70 sb today

jakes-mum

mf0u1098 wrote: »

Hope you both get better soon, you sound like you're in a lot of pain so I'm sending you lots of hugs :A

Please get lots of rest and Jakes-mum, please let us know how you get on at the doctors xxx

Well im back from the docs and I have a massive ulcer at the back of my mouth and she thinks it might be an infection so im on penicillin but under strict instructions that if the numbness gets worse or the penicillin hasnt done anything in 48 hours I must go back to see her.
Its really weird as I can feel my fingers pressing my face, but its like pressing your leg when it falls asleep and the inside of my mouth is like ive had an injection from the dentist :rotfl::rotfl:

Raspberrysauce

Hiya, thanks for adding me, where do I get a number?

Just about finished sorting out the new bank account now, next on my list, changing the direct debits, what a lovely job!

I will be trying to get my food bill down by budgeting better and doing a meal plan, really annoyed at myself about letting things get this bad but at least I know it's not going to get any worse:)

Onwards and upwards eh?

mf0u1098

Raspberrysauce wrote: »

Hiya, thanks for adding me, where do I get a number?

Just about finished sorting out the new bank account now, next on my list, changing the direct debits, what a lovely job!

I will be trying to get my food bill down by budgeting better and doing a meal plan, really annoyed at myself about letting things get this bad but at least I know it's not going to get any worse:)

Onwards and upwards eh?

I normally do my updating in the late evening once most people have posted for the day so will sort you out a number then my dear.

Everyone starts off with the feelings of guilt and shame and anger at themselves for getting in this mess in the first place but we all then come out of it (most of the time...) stronger and more determined to do something about it. It's what you do now that counts. We CAN do this together xxx

mf0u1098

jakes-mum wrote: »

Well im back from the docs and I have a massive ulcer at the back of my mouth and she thinks it might be an infection so im on penicillin but under strict instructions that if the numbness gets worse or the penicillin hasnt done anything in 48 hours I must go back to see her.
Its really weird as I can feel my fingers pressing my face, but its like pressing your leg when it falls asleep and the inside of my mouth is like ive had an injection from the dentist :rotfl::rotfl:

Blimey! I bet that feels odd! Hope you get better soon hun xxx

his_missus

:wave:Hello all!

No debt-busting happening today, though I do have a couple of NSDs to add to my belt, but just wanted to pop by and say hi and well done for all your debt-busting, Some of you are flying through that debt :T

tippingpoint_2

Please could I be added to this list? I have £8,800 to pay off, & I'm going to get it done by this time next year so that I can spend my first Xmas in 15yrs debt free!