Finally seeing the right track getting closer

MuffinTops

Now that I've been keeping a track on my finances for a few months I'm really seeing the proper changes I'm making. Not just on debt balances diminishing, but also on my attitude to the outstanding debt. Having financial difficulties has an amazing side effect of making me (and many others I'm noticing) completely not worthy. So I'd phone places I owe money to, they'd be quite rude (maybe as a defense mechanism to people trying to avoid paying bills???) and I'd feel the size of a thumbnail! It would take me days to psyche up for a call asking to reduce my direct debit or to set one up knowing they're not going to be happy with the amount I offer. Then, when they spoke down to me I'd just want to cry and hang up. I'd come off the phone panicking knowing that I'd agreed to monthly payments I really couldn't afford because I felt so intimidated.

But now I almost look forward to making those calls because I know I'm in a better position, I know what money I've got to go on debts and bills and when people speak to me in that bullying way it just doesn't have any effect on me. It's the actual knowing of exactly what's coming in and going out so when there are bullying tactics I can just logically state that the money just isn't there rather than trying to steal off another bill to appease this one.

That's if I actually worked up the courage to call them in the first instance! More often than not I couldn't do it.

This happy rant has been sent to you by the Water Companies! I phoned one of them today as I'm quite behind on payments and we put a plan in place which doesn't affect my credit and one I can easily afford but chips chunks away from the outstanding balance. As it's not an interest accummulating balance I don't include it in my debt ratio. I'm sorry if that makes my calculations wrong but psychologically it's easier for me as there's a Direct Debit now in place and the outstanding balance doesn't vary every month based on interest charges. They even gave me a discount for paying by Direct Debit!

In other news, I've definitely avoided spending next week's budget. Today is the last day to get through and then I'm home and dry!

Quidco have paid out too and I've moved that across to my unexpected income account. I'm actually stunned at how much extra money you can get by doing surveys, cashback sites, selling things I no longer need and use etc.

Wooh x

MuffinTops

Has anyone watched the programme Extreme Couponing? I watched a couple of episodes last night. It's purely American as I don't think we have the level of coupons over here, but one woman had 4 trolleys full to the brim of products that went through the till at around $1200.00 or more and she ended up paying something like $14.00 for the lot based on all the coupons she had. It took 2 hours to get through the tills! But worth it for that level of free food, isn't it? It was amazing!

miggy

Those are such heartening posts to read! You've made enormous strides and one of the best things is that it's no longer eating away at your self esteem. :T :T :T

I have seen one of the episodes of 'Extreme Couponing' - I was very impressed because the woman I saw had done all the maths and knew exactly what she was doing. I think I would lose track very early on. It takes time and trouble to use the savings that the retailers are offering. I'm glad I wasn't behind her in the queue though!

MuffinTops

miggy wrote: »

Those are such heartening posts to read! You've made enormous strides and one of the best things is that it's no longer eating away at your self esteem. :T :T :T

I have seen one of the episodes of 'Extreme Couponing' - I was very impressed because the woman I saw had done all the maths and knew exactly what she was doing. I think I would lose track very early on. It takes time and trouble to use the savings that the retailers are offering. I'm glad I wasn't behind her in the queue though!

Thanks Miggy. Getting these outside comments really help to boost me too and you're such a support. Thank you so much.

It's really entertaining to see the work that goes into those coupons. I know I'm not at that stage yet as one woman plans for 6 hours before a shop. The list is written, the shop manager is called to check on coupon rules for that day and to ensure that no shop changearounds have occurred as it's a very focussed event.

I did notice that some clips had people starting to queue behind and then the next clip would show they'd disappeared. They all get quite a crowd around though and everyone, including the shop assistants, are cheering them on. I know I would be if I saw that. Although I couldn't coupon to that extreme I do wish we had more coupons flying around in the UK. But I think we get more instore discounts for all, which is probably a much fairer way of doing it.

debtfree2015_2

Wow thats a huge bill reduction, never heard of that. I do like coupons, though rarely get any!
Today I got a bargain, I had a boots coupon for concealer, which I needed, condition was to buy something else from same range, well I needed foundation as you know. At the same time I thought Id try a compact powder to see if it helps the foundation stay on, got to the till voucher went through plus it was 3 for 2! So I only paid 6.99 instead of £17! I love nice buys like that.

Its great to read how you have become more assertive. I can relate to the nervous feeling, I remember telling myself I can't pay what I haven't got, Id be fine calling them then turn into a mess when someone picked up the other end.

Are you on a meter for your water? If its just yourself at home it may work out cheaper. I paid silly rates when dd was a baby, I was metered it was £11 a month plus £60 every 6 months for sewerage. Im not on a meter here as its a flat, its £32 a month!

x

MuffinTops

I'd never heard of anything like it with those coupons. Due to the vouchers some had to put through about 18 different transactions. I'm organised, but not under pressure like that.

It's nice feeling that I'm able to make those calls now and they don't hang around on me as long as they used to.

I can't be put on a meter yet until I catch up with the bill backlog. I did try as I live alone and know I won't be using as much as others but I have to get to a neutral position with them again.

MuffinTops

This weekend was pretty MSE. I had a budget for birthday and mother's day stuff and I stuck within it! Phew! It was tough going a few times but I was prepared!

It's now 2 weeks until pay day and I'm back on track with the daily budget and feeling comfortable. In 2 weeks the cc will get paid off, but I'm not sure if I just pay the outstanding balance the bill tells me I owe or if I phone them to close it all. I'm having a little memory flash that they just want me to pay what I owe and then they'll close it all for me, but to be on the safe side I think I'll call them.

I've completely lost track on weightloss again! I'm cycling a lot more, although the weather makes that easy. So I may start getting up really early and get to the gym near where I work just as it opens. It's lovely and quiet then and I get the choice of whatever weights I want to use. It tends to get busier as I have to leave and get ready for work so I think I need to get into that again. When I exercise well I think I generally want and crave better foods too.

All of my items have sold on ebay. I'm just waiting for payment from one person but I'm confident it'll be fine based on their feedback. I missed the free listings again, but I'm not sorry as I feel I need to regroup and maybe have a little shift in priorities again too.

So that's what I need to do this week. Regroup myself and get organised again. Business stuff needs to take priority this week, but that would just mean that the weekend will be free for searching for ebay and amazon fodder again!

It will be nice to have a week off from post office queues and constantly packaging things to send though, so I'll consider this week a holiday!

MuffinTops

I seem to be going through a bit of a spendy time still. At least I know I'm not comfort spending as I've accepted now that he's gone and that chapter is closed. But a few people had bought me lunch to help out so as I caught up with my budget I have repaid the favour and there have been a couple of birthdays and I like to take those people for a coffee to say Happy Birthday. I know, it's embarrassingly small but as they're not people I'm necessarily close to I find it better than buying a card. Maybe I need to rethink what I do in these situations though. Hmm! Or is that over the top?

Anyway, I'm within budget but it's going every day and will do all week. I also have shopping to buy and where I kept shopping to an absolute minimum the last couple of weeks I have very empty cupboards, fridge and freezer!

I've put this weekend aside to get myself organised at home again as I'm feeling a bit out of control there. With this spring clean feeling weather that should work out great. I may even get out my patio table and chairs and treat myself to lunch al fresco if I get enough done.

I hope everyone is having a good week so far.

debtfree2015_2

Thats nice Muffin, Id be touched if someone done that!

Weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, Im planning free picnics in the park with dd. I love the sun, not sweltering hot, just warm it puts me in a brilliant mood.

x

MuffinTops

As anticipated I've had nothing left over from my daily budget this week. I did get a decent amount of shopping in though and had a lunch out.

I have an evening out tonight which could go either way on spendy. I'm really in the mood to let my hair down as I've had a very emotional week, but I'm worried that if I start I won't know where to stop. Ha ha! How old am I??? Have some control woman!!!!

I've been getting a lot of attention from one of the guys here and I'm having a brain short circuit on what we're doing so we're going out tonight for a few drinks and a chat! Eek! _pale_
I believe we're on completely different wavelengths though so it would be good to clear the air and stop me panicking about it all so much! Plus a nice night out is long overdue.

This weekend is still completely free to do spring cleany bits and get me back on top of things at home and I'm really looking forward to that. This weather boosts the energy quite a bit, doesn't it?

I'm sure I'll be updating at the weekend, but I hope everyone has a great one!