Betti's debt free diary

betti911

Bought my car insurance this morning £439. It was the cheapest quote I could find given that I only have 2 yrs NCB and 3 penalty points. Paid in all in one go from my switch card- 1st time ever I have doing that

I tried Quidco but the deals there wouldn't have saved me money. That insurers provider was the cheapest. I'm going to try again with Quidco for my home insurance when I eventually decide to purchase some. At the moment I've got nothing of any value in my wee flat. I have got buildings insurance which is due up in December so I will get both then.

My sisters boyfriend starts chemo today. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

sparklymessygirl

Hi Betti,

I've just found your diary and wanted to say that you seem to be becoming very financially savvy and have done a great job so far. You should be proud of yourself - don't beat yourself up about the past, you did the best you could at that time, and to quote Oprah :rotfl: "Now you know better, you do better!". Like others here, I don't get your parents at all! Don't let them dictate how you feel about yourself, they'll be making their own mistakes - you sound very sweet and caring, I'm sure there's lots of good stuff ahead of you. Hope your sister's partner's treatment goes well.

Onwards and upwards!
Sparkly

betti911

Thanks Sparkly. I have tried just to get on with things and have been getting on a little better with my parents. Obviously we are all thinking about my wee sisters and how she and her b/friend are doing. I know my parents are paying my sister and her boyfriend's mortgage at the moment and thats okay with me. My mum tried to offer me money yesterday in compensation and I refused. Its only natural and fair that they help my little sister. They wouldn't be helping her if this hadn't happened I wouldn't imagine and I don't want to gain from someone else's misfortune. I'm determined to get out of my mess on my own and said to my mum I'd prefer her support rather than money. After all if she cleared the debt I was in I could god forbid take a step backwards. She did buy me a wee dress from asda in the sale (£4) which I really liked.

I was out for dinner last night and spent £20.70, also £12.50 on Friday for a works dinner and £3.50 for netball but haven't spent anything else this week so am still in budget (£40- usually I try not to spend as much as that). I felt a bit guilty about the meal last night but it was so good to catch up with my friend and its not as if we'll do it every weekend. I'm trying not to go to the other extreme and be scared to spend money... after all the point of the exercise is trying to live within a budget. Nevertheless have set myself another strict budget for next week

Prob going to the cinema tonight with my boyfriend. Saw hairspray last night with my unlimited card and prob Transformers (boo his) or the simpsons (its my boyfriends choice)

juliapenguin

Hello Betti

I've just read your whole thread and wanted to say well done and good luck to your sister's partner - what a stressful time for you all.

On the financial front, you've got lots to be positive about - you are really on top of your spending and definitely getting very savvy, and your salary has gone up to a really good level - once you are out of debt you'll be really comfortable as long as you don't get carried away with buying things for your new home! Do you have freecycle where you are? People are happy to give away really nice things to people starting out.

Anyway - good luck, and try really hard not to get upset about things your parents say or do - you can't change other people, only your reaction to them (easier said than done!!!).

Julia xx

betti911

I will def try freecycle. Lots of my friends and family have been offering me stuff for the flat which I really appreciate. I've got a sofa and chairs from my parents, a dining set, pots and pans, juicers etc. People are being really generous.

betti911

My sister gets the keys for her flat today so need to get her a housewarming gift. Also have my b/friend's sister's hennite tonight (£35 she got a cheap earlybird meal and this includes drinks).

Haven't had a bad spending week this week. Had to pay for my passport which I knew about. My magazine subscription also ran out this week but I didn't buy any mags. Have been reading books instead.

Tonight my boyfriend is collecting me and dropping me off so no taxis. He does owe me one as he summoned me into town at 3am after becoming absolutely wrecked last Saturday night after the stag do.

I met my friend last night who I'd been helping with her money saving. She's doing really well and owes about 20k but thinks she'll pay most of it off by mid next year. She does earn more than me I suppose and has no house so limited outgoings. Was a bit down afterwards to be honest. It just felt that she was getting places a lot quicker than me.... v selfish of me I know as I was the one who told her that she needed to sort her debt out. I just listened to her as she went on about it and how big a house she was going to buy when she cleared her debt..... bigger than my wee flat. My boyfriend said to just ignore her.

Note to self - must be less bitter

betti911

Over this weekend have spent £35 on my b/friend sister's hennite. I went to the cinema and was taken out for a meal by my b/friend's family last night so I didn't pay for those.

This week will be very expensive as I have the wedding. My mum gave me a bit of money at the start of the week but I've still to buy my sister a housewarming gift (she wants money... my mum suggested £25 which is okay if you've actually got £25!!), I have a hair appointment which I've saved for, eyebrows (again saved for) and my friend is doing my tan. Am not buying new shoes or a new handbag despite my mum's insistance that my shoes and bag don't go (cerise and gold?) I really don't think anyone will notice my shoes after all its not my day. I have a new dress though which my boyfriend bought me.

I will have to live like a hermit for the rest of the month after this week!

I hate weddings!!

Lucy1982_2

I agree my cousins wedding cost me £200!! I was a bridesmaid and she made us pay for our own dresses!

And it took her 3 1/2 months to send out thankyou notes!!! I'm never going to spend that much on someone elses wedding again. Unless I know that they will appreciate it.

But try to have a good day

betti911

WARNING RANT COMING....

I am sooooo annoyed today! Yesterday I found out that I had been charged £10 extra on my phone bill for these junk messages I'd been recieving from sms friends, some american website. I know that I DEF did not give them my details. Anyways I argued with the girl on the phone until she agreed to give me a refund in 6-8 weeks!! No use to me now as I still have to pay the chuffing bill at the moment.

Then I came in today only to find out it was some lady in works wedding anniversary and we all had to give in £2 for flowers. What does everyone else do when these things happen? I have spent £20 over the past month on work kittys and have never received a penny back! Sounds selfish I know but when I qualified noone even passed comment and yet we are giving this lady flowers for her wedding anniversary!!! Thats what she's got a husband for!!

I also have netball tonight £3 which I can't play as have hurt my neck but have to come along anyway as I have the bibs... £3 to sit at the side!! Then my sisters housewarming gift £25 plus a card £1.

No wonder I have no money

Rant over .........

Lucy1982_2

Hi Betti

I hate work 'donations' to, because while you don't have to, everyone looks down on you if you don't. So I only ever give a small amount (and it's dependent on how much I liked/like the person)

Can you get your sister a gift rather than money? That way you can get something that looks expensive, but isn't.

Good luck x