Onwards & Upwards!

sashybo

Hi all, as it's a new year it's time for diary number 3. Last years' diary can be found here.

I live with my OH of 9 years and our three naughty Siamese cats. We got into a lot of debt when we bought our first flat 7 years ago and had all sorts of loans and credit cards thrown at us which we stupidly took out. Our debt total at LBM was approx £25,000 5 years ago. :eek: The CCCS was a lifeline for us and helped us to start getting our debt sorted when we had very little money or hope of ever getting out of the hole we had dug ourselves into.

Last year we managed to reduce our overall debt from £13,424.69 to £7329.26. :j:j I managed to pay an extra £1050 off the debts through the PAD (Payment A Day) thread and have been padding since 2009. :T:j Another very useful thing I've found through this site is the snowball calculator. Very satisfying to see totals coming down when you enter your payments.

Our DMP is currently sitting at £973.89 and should be paid off by June. :j The Northern Rock loan is now at £6355.37 and we will be increasing the monthly payment from £150 to £200 once the DMP has finished. The rest of the monthly DMP payment will then go into savings for our wedding in 2013 - date to be confirmed as we only got engaged on Christmas Eve.

We took big steps forward last year in finally learning to put set amounts aside each month for things like the car MOT/repairs and our quarterly factor fees. We are getting there slowly but surely and it's definitely onwards and upwards. :j

psychopathbabble

You could always go MSE and collect nice big glass jars to use as vases? Or something similar... with a bit of ribbon around them I think it would look lovely. Sorry, I'll stop with the wedding ideas now

sashybo

Ooh that sounds good psycho. :T Haha don't stop, trust me I'll need all the ideas you can give me. :rotfl:

Browsing around the internet atm looking at pictures of felt and bead bouquets to collect and save to give me inspiration. Will of course have to decide on colours etc but again not something that's urgent until the main components are settled.

Thinking of a summery tree theme for the room we get married in/have dinner in. Think the sunflowers would fit in that nicely. The venue we looked at and really like is on the edge of a big green.

Bridezilla here I come. :rotfl: A girl at work is getting married in September so we can bore each other with wedding talk. She said she'll bring her wedding magazines in for me to look through as she's finished with them. Very MSE. :T

gilligansyle

*subscribes*

The main thing with the wedding, is to get the wedding that *you* want, and you are both happy with.

sashybo

Hi gilli :hello:

I agree a wedding should be what the couple want it to be. We've already had a talk about what we do and don't want ideally, so just need to keep talking as things move along I guess.

We also don't want to spend a ridiculous amount on one day but we do want it to be nice and for everyone to enjoy it.

Off to bed soon as back at work in the morning but get to start at 8am instead of 6am and it's triple time as well.

sashybo

Had a fairly quick shift at work today so wasn't too bad. OH is away across the border to visit his parents for a few days, so just me and the kitties.

Went to visit my mum after work and had a lot of wedding chat. Think I'm going to bore my poor mum to tears before the wedding actually happens. :rotfl:

Have done some online shopping and got some good bargains - even better it was all paid for with gift vouchers. :j Got this cardigan as have been eyeing it up since it was full price - saw it in the shop and it's light but warm which is what I want.

Also got a dress and a top from Joe Browns - was dithering over this as well but suspect I just want it because I'm a child and it has cats on it. I still quite want it though...:rotfl:

On the debt free side I paid another £10 to my cc today - only £30 and the washing machine is paid off. :j

sashybo

Hellish day at work due to the bad weather. Was then like an obstacle course getting home as there was stuff blown over everywhere - loads of big trees split and lying over roads & pavements. :eek: Had a very muddy detour around a big fallen tree. Got on to my street and there were roof tiles smashed all over the road from all of the buildings.

My Sky dish has of course been knocked out again by the wind. :mad: Seriously considering cancelling it to be honest as we don't watch half the channels anyway.

Starting work an hour early tomorrow as there will probably be more disruption. This means a 4am alarm. :eek: Going to be dead on my feet.

Need to bank my cheques since the bank will actually be open tomorrow. :j

sashybo

Hellish hellish day at work and this bloody wind still isn't letting up. My dodgy window is letting in so much water that two beach towels have been soaked through since last night. :eek: Building insurance people better get their backsides in gear and come out and look at it. It better be covered - hardly our fault that it wasn't put in right and the building's settlement is crushing it. :mad:

Banked my cheques after work and then had a wander about town. I bought some underwear from M&S - I want to have nice underwear that I enjoy wearing - no more boring or grotty stuff. Suspect I bought some stuff as therapy after my terrible day at work. Only tomorrow's shift to go and I'm off for 5 days though. :j

Going to my aunt's 60th birthday party tomorrow night so have to decide what to wear. :eek: Should be fun as most of my *very* large family will be there. OH gets home tomorrow night as well :j but I'll be out at the party by the time he gets back.

Have been using the mineral foundation samples I ordered from Lily Lolo and am very pleased with it actually. It seems to last a lot longer than my liquid foundation. :T

One shade was far too light and one was too dark but one was just right. Ordered it in the big size and also a sample of their finishing powder as well. Placed my order on Monday night and it had been delivered today so still very impressed with their service as well. :T

My Joe Brown's stuff came as well and it fitted fine but will have to remember good posture in the dress as if I slump I look slightly pregnant. :eek: Do NOT want a repeat of the Sainsbury's incident. :eek:

sashybo

Very tired today but at least I'm off now for 5 days. :j

OH visited his gran whilst at his parents and she very kindly gave him £100 as a present on our engagement. :T We are going to put it towards the venue hire - we will have to book it soon. :T

My mum has also said she will pay for my wedding dress and a bridesmaid dress as well. :eek: I told her she didn't need to but she said she wanted to which is lovely of her. I wasn't sure about having a bridesmaid but said I would have my sister if I decided on it (and she agreed to do it :rotfl: ) I'm not looking for a massively expensive dress as I don't see the point tbh. I will have a long time to look & think about it anyway!

Have done a lot of ironing today & taken the decorations off the Christmas tree. OH can take the tree down at the weekend.

sashybo

Just having a relaxing day today before going to the party tonight. Have decided to wear my new dress from Joe Browns with black tights and my newish purple shoe/boots that are quite high but very comfy.

Have cleaned out the cat litter and put away washing and ironing so have done a bit of housework as well.

My male cat is happily playing with the cat toy my brother bought us for Christmas. He loves chasing the laser dot and gets so excited - have set it on automatic to stop him pestering me to throw his ball for him. :rotfl: One of the female cats quite likes it as well but the other totally blanks it - she's far too dignified to play with toys. :rotfl:

Looking forward to seeing OH tonight when I get back from the party - the house has been too quiet without him.

gilligansyle

Enjoy your few days off, and hope the party was fun.

I was in Scotland last week and it was pretty scary at times, with wheelie bins flying down the street.