It's time to be responsible and quit partying...

Clamborina

Hi....

So where to start.. well I've been on here for years but never really posted just lurked (ooo I don't like that word, makes me sound like a creepy stalker) and I have finally had my proper LBM I've had flickers in the past but now this time I'm totally serious!!

I have approximately £8k of the evil debt to bust (mainly CC's and a HP) and I'm doing it this year!!

As my title suggests it's time to be responsible (I didn't want to put grow up because that implies getting old lol and I'm still coming to terms with my upcoming birthday this week that takes me to the grand old age of 25!!) and quit the partying!! I had an immense 2011 which I totally deserved after my 9 year relationship broke in 2010 (I had the debt back then.. I didn't squander that much in a year lol) but I didn't do alot about it last year - 2012 is my year to make my changes!!

Anyone fancy joining me??

So the stuff I'm going to do to make sure this happens...

Inadvertently give up smoking (incidently have not smoked since NYE, not a resolution just haven't done it.. I even had a vino last night - just the one)
Not spend money on clothes (ok so budget this to £100 for the year)
Stick to my budget that I made
Wait until the very last minute before deciding whether I go to Ibiza in the summer.. what do I want more - 1 last party holiday with the girls or to smash the cash off my debt?? I can't decide that one right now..
Use my sealed pot to my monies in so I don't spend them
Get on Fleabay and sell my poop (not literally!!)

ermmmmmmm suggestions on a postcard??

Well I'm going to see if I can keep up this writing malarky and hopefully with a lil support and some backbone/willpower I'm going to wipe this debt and have a blast doing so!!

Clamborina

Soooooo 2 civil whiskies half a cigarette and a tv marathon later... instead of drink til plastered, smoke like a chimney and stay out til 6am (even though I was invited and all my housemates have gone out without me...)
On the plus side I purchased the food I will require for next week which is only 3 days before my birthday trip (planned nearly a year ago) at a cost of £5, £10 on petrol (petrol light may have been on for a while), £3 impulse buy in Maccers (disgraceful), a redemption on a groupon eyebrow threading (3 sessions for £5 rude not to when it's usually £12 a go) and I made £14 on a rubbish necklace so effectively only spent £4 which for a Saturday especially one entering the clutches of a city centre shopping location at this time of year (sales everywhere!!) girl done good!!

Phoned a credit card company and cancelled a card that had a zero balance and quite literally froze the assets and by this I mean I took the others and froze them in a takeaway container.. this way I have to think alot before thawing them.. more positive news Feb and March is the break on the Council Tax so will have an additional £35 to throw at one of them for 2 months!! Yay!!

Tomorrow I will go see my Nan so no spending required in fact I do not intend to spend until I enter the Airport on Weds even then it will be a Burger King and a cider so approx £10 lol.

Still do not believe I am in writing a blog type thingy instead of partying.. BUT I said change would happen and it appears to be happening quickly!!

Clamborina

Hellllloooooooo!!!!

I completely forgot I started this and then I just remembered so figured I'd come and update.
No BK at the Airport but I totally had a cider!!! Cost nearly a fiver though.. rip off!!
I spent my allocated 200 squids and a little more but had an amazing time and a totally wicked birthday!! I also partied hard (got in at 7 apparently but I don’t believe that for a second..)
So I’m 3 days before payday and I actually have some funds left.. for Saturday night – it’s a joint birthday thing with 2 other girls in my group we’re going on a groupon comedy night followed by a few drinkys (cheaper than 3 separate nights out as I’m sure you’ll agree!)

Last but not least I lowered a ridiculous limit on one of my cc’s (could this have been a reason for being rejected for a new 0% card??) and I have put monies in my sealed pot yay!!!

Clamborina

Ok so..... the plan is to live on 50 squids a week from next payday including food, petrol and funzies. Payday is Monday and the only things I have planned for the next 4 weeks is a homage to Ciderella next Sat (Cider Fest comes to town..) and a once a week zumba class 4 squids a pop - I CAN and I WILL do this!! I have no party plans and I have managed to walk to work twice this week I just need to keep on going!!
My weekend challenge is to master the bay of e with free listings and see if its true that one persons junk is another's treasure....
Update on challenges..
I have had a few sneaky cigs.. whilst a few cheeky drinkies were consumed however I did not purchase the tobacco as I've had it since Nov last year when my housemate come back off her holibobs
And no clothing has been purchased!! I have acquired a few items but no purchasing!!

Last but not least.. This month I will over pay on at least one of my cc's!!

Clamborina

Happy Monday!! And Happy PayDay to me!!!

Glad I checked in.. I forgot what I wrote on Friday.. silly me!!
Anyway I'm off to bury's at Lunch to withdraw my 50squids to live off for the week I'm down a fifth of this straight away though as I need petrol boooooooooooo but I have a list of what I need that I will stick to.
I did not get around to the bay of e I will do though at some point

Money saving stuff for this week:
Walk to work twice this week
Purchase lunch foodies today for the week (soup, beans, bread etc)
Swap comedy ticket with a Cider Fest ticket (no minus funds there!)
Cash in free 1/4 chicken at nandos when I go with work peeps and have free water (may treat myself to a small chips..)

I think thats enough for this week.. slow and steady wins the race!!!

Clamborina

Arghhhh damn stupid car won't start... again... this is the third time now in like 3 months it's had new spark plugs and a sensor thingy replaced I've spent (code for borrowed off mother) nearly £500 already so have made a growed up decision to get the heap of plop to start and return to HP company and do without a brummer for a while whilst I pay the £84 a month off something more worthwhile!! I have worked out I'm over halfway through the agreement so can do a voluntary termination, will prob never get credit for anything else ever again but honestly once I'm out of my pickle I don't want to go back. I'm staying positive because I understand it's my own stupid fault but I want to be able to get myself out of this and purchase stuff myself that I earned!! So the first thing on my list will probs be a loverly car I just have to come to terms with the realisation that I will have to walk everywhere (I detest buses) it's not all gloom though as mother has offered to put me on her insurance so I can still drive something and my housemate has a car that I'm sure she'll let me drive occassionally (with proper insurance obv)

OMG!! LBM!!! not only will I save £84 on HP there's insurance at £35 petrol averaging at £50 tax at £120/yr and MOT/Service costing at least £150 so by my calculation I will actually save approx £191 a month!!!!!!!!!! mental why did I not think of this sooner!! totes excited to rid myself of it now!!

Toddling off to do some VT research to get this done quick time...

debtfreewannabe321

Hi Clamborina! Well done on having your LBM & deciding to get rid of the car! With your enthusiasm you'll have your debt paid off in no time

dfw

missrlr

Well done you if you xan do without car !

Best of luck

Clamborina

Hi!!

So this month is going great.. but I don't wanna jinx it I am on track not to use overdraft and still have money in the spending account (food shopping etc) 2 weeks before payday aMazing!!!

Still no new clothes
Still no money spent on tobacco
Last time I went out was 28th Jan and I haven't smoked or drank since (it's detox Feb at the mo and I'm serious about it!)

sad times - I have to fix sunroof on the dreaded car before I can hand back 200 squids.. rubbish!!

Will do proper update when I have a lil more time and I've done something worthwhile..

Clamborina

Soo it was payday on Weds and I managed month number 1 without using the overdraft or cc's or any money that isn't technically mine!!
Not sure how March will fare in comparison there is alot to do this month but I am determined and hopeful to get through the next 3.5 weeks without stepping into the red side!!
Out tonight but havent drank in a really long while so will probably be a cheap date (not that I'm on a date just that I'll be cheap to get drunk).

£10 spent on a dress I'm gonna take back it's a bargain but one I could do without..
£5 spent on cig's for tonight so out of £30 budget I now have £25 left for drinkys!!

Clamborina

Month 2 is not going well..
Going to have to reign it in massively and sell all my possessions at the car boot next week.. (ok maybe a little dramatic..)

I WILL GET BACK ON TRACK!!!!