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

Choc-addict

Morning all,

I'm another that can't update total until all payments have been made and statements all come through...sometimes frustrating but sometimes good in that you get a nice surprise each month as to just how well you've done once the interest (:mad:) has been added.

Meanwhile i'm lurking all over this site trying to pick up tips and ideas to bust this debt....makes for interesting reading I tell you

Going to try and make and overpayment later on this evening once i've checked online banking....every penny counts now!

Have a good day xxx

kerri_dfw

I am very naughty, I completely forgot to put a list of challenges on my first post last night (this was what I was meant to be doing instead of accidentally being asleep between 8-9pm oops). I'll do it tonight defo

I'm going one step further with this weeks challenge, I'm also not allowed to eat any chocolate or sweets and it's a £1 penalty for me if I do. Going to be hard as we get free choc and crisps at work, although have switched morning choc for a nectarine so far.

mf0u1098

kerri_dfw wrote: »

I am very naughty, I completely forgot to put a list of challenges on my first post last night (this was what I was meant to be doing instead of accidentally being asleep between 8-9pm oops). I'll do it tonight defo

I'm going one step further with this weeks challenge, I'm also not allowed to eat any chocolate or sweets and it's a £1 penalty for me if I do. Going to be hard as we get free choc and crisps at work, although have switched morning choc for a nectarine so far.

Sounds like you needed that sleep hun! Don't worry about the list of challenges (or hints/tips...?) it can be done whenever you've time my dear xxx

mf0u1098

Not impressed last night when I came back from the cinema to find that my sister had eaten my box of chocolates that I was going to survive on this week through the mini-no-buying-chocolate challenge!

I've written a letter this morning to my contact lense company to cancel which will save me £25/month! Since i hardly every wear them, I have loads left which will do for when I wear them on any nights out. Feel quite pleased with myself for this debt busting this morning xxx

jakes-mum

So upset!!! . . . . . . I didnt get any credit card bills in the post :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: now I can t pay any debt off :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ooo Kerri, if I got free choccie at work, i'd be picking up me packs popping them in me bag and bringing them home to eat next week when the challenge is over, save meself buying any next week too :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Just a quick update, I was brave and got the big bag of unopened bills, it was horrendous, I felt physically sick and started shaking, my heart was pounding, I almost chucked in the towel as I went into panic mode.But started to go through, I wrote out some small cheques ranging from £5 - £20, and will post as soon as the wages hit the bank account, a little is better than none,I was such a fool I took out every credit card going and lived in a dream world, and well you know the ending.

Will have another look through the pile tommorow.
My other problem is when the debts got out of control so did my weight, I started bingeing and over eaten as comfort, and have put on 2st, so as I pay off the pounds I am gonna try to lose some as well, all those chocolates and cakes were just added to the debt. No more snacking!

Just took some more pictures for ebay, so now sitting down to list, check freebies, vouchers, and do surveys.

Just spotted in the new tv magazine starting from next Thursday channel 4 at 8-9 , a new programme bargain britain about thrifters, so might be good.

kerri_dfw

Mf0u I would be really cross if my sister did that! Although I did laugh when she told me her 23mnth old son didn't wake her up as usual on Sunday morning, which she thought was odd, until she went in the living room to find he'd eaten all the Quality Street haha!

jakes-mum I quite like buying the chocolate though, I like spending money and it's something small to buy instead of something big. Obviously this attitude will be changing shortly.

Fairyface, I hide from my bank account for about two weeks following payday because I live in fear of how much I've spent / got left. I also hide from my bills. I am making a pledge to myself though that I am going to file them as soon as they come in, that way I have less mess and the bills are all tidied and looked at. Also, there's a lose the £'s lose the lbs challenge somewhere if you're interested I'll find the link. Loads of people on there that are trying to lose weight.

I have a migraine, I'm blaming the lack of chocolate. Even my emails are against me today, everyone is sending emails trying to get me to buy stuff grrrr

recurrent-ostrich

Fairyface, I've put on 3st in the last 2 years, so I'd love to shift it by next Christmas too! How about a joint debt/fat-busting challenge?!

idristhedragon

Morning all. Right all my bills are paid this month- I was transferring £4 from one account to the other at 11.20pm last night on telephone banking cos my internet was down and I knew I had bills going out today I am so proud of myself for paying all my bills ontime this month. I never even checked my DD's dates before- they just all went out willy nilly and I prayed the money was there and sucked up the charges if not *oops*
I am sat here brassicly skint, but I know all my bills are paid, I have two freezers and a larder full of food- so I will only buy bread milk and eggs between now and 1st when the food money is replenished. I was super good and froze a loaf that was sat on the side thinking about going green this morning, so when my husband returns from working away this week that can be fished out of the freezer for him! My debts aren't catastrophic, and I am lucky I can pay them on time (just) but they are stupid, THey are with stupid high interest credit cards that I am actualy embarrassed about- the fact that I took them out and incurred debt on them and didnt pay them straight away. What a numpty

My missions are to pay off the debt, but also to make a few tweaks. I will list them here if I may:

* Shop wisely, plan and shop accordingly
* Do inventory of Freezers and use up food in there
* Possibly food shop online to stop temptation- not sure though as online food shopping riles me
* Sell loads of tatt on ebay including broken laptop (I think they sell for spares?) clothes x 100000 and nail varnishes etc.
* make flapjacks etc for packed lunches
* stop going into town and spending out of habit- get a kick out of paying off debt instead
* stop buying from Very/Littlewoods "because I can"

I was very depressed and overweight and in a job I hated for a long time and I KNOW this is intrinsically linked with my spending. I bought so many clothes- dunno why as I looked like a mammoth, but hey, theres always shoes, handbags, scarves and smellies.....I now have a job I love (albeit variable money- Im a franchisee) and am 4 dress sizes smaller and a lot happier so now its time to clear up the remaining mess. I must admit I used one of my credit cards this week BUT it was to buy some Christmas pressies online (which stops me going to town and buying stuff for me - method in my madness) and I have done nearly all my christmas shopping now, and the shopping for the two of my kids that have birthdays in the next 2 weeks.
I have weird paydays- every Tuesday, every other friday, and some on a weds if one of my franchises has earned me anything that week! My husband provides £400 a month for food every month (there are 6 of us and a dog) and I reckon if Im careful I can definitely do the entire month on that and maybe even scrimp a bit of for debtbusting!
I lovethis thread- I am a bit scared of the individual debt diaries with budgets and stuff so I am very happy here in our little less intimidating corner. Thank you for having me

idristhedragon

Hey cross posted with the other lbs/£'s people- Im in for a challenge- I work in the weight loss industry *ahem* so I am good at kicking people up the 'arris/supporting people with that. I also still want to lose more weight myself so count me in
Isnt it interesting how weight/spending is so so linked. Hmmmm