High Hopes for 2012

Hope2008

Update on Debts:

Debts Paid
£1,036 Mortgage - regular monthly payment
£60.99 MBNA - regular monthly payment
£194.87 Loan One - regular monthly payment

Hope2008

I'm really surprised at how much I've been able to cut the shopping bill. I was aiming to spend no more than £75 a week but for the past 3 weeks I've spent £61.58, £53.48 & £56.72. It looks as though the monthly spend of £300 will come in closer to £250 :j

I've lined up a couple of MS jobs for Feb. The end of Feb should see loan one paid off :j

Hope2008

Rang the loan company to make sure there was only 1 payment left outstanding and they told me they took the full & final payment yesterday :j.

So pleased, that's an extra £194.87 that I can move onto another debt.

This month is going to be expensive - we have a couple of birthdays, Mr H needs a new pair of glasses (we can claim the cost back though outh Health Care Cash Plan but it's still money we have to pay up front).

I thought I'd be able to use the money normally set aside for council tax to put towards debts in Feb & Mar but now it looks like we'll be using at least 1 months worth on glasses.

Better go mini H has just got to the stage where they love blowing raspberries and their new trick is to fill their mouth full of water and then blow a raspberry. It's great fun and very cute but their clothes are constantly soaked!!!

Hope2008

Debt Paid

MBNA - £50

Hope2008

Really annoyed with myself. My MBNA card went over its limit by £6 in December and because of that I've lost the 0% balance transfer rate.

I made an additional payment of £50 on that card today but I've not yet updated my signature. It's pay day tomorrow so in the next couple of days I'll sit down with all our statements and get a better idea on what debts we have.

We have so many different avenues for our money this year but we have to step this up a gear and on top of our debts by Autumn.
The items I'm listing on Ebay really aren't selling too well but I have to declutter the house and try to bring in some money so I have to keep persevering. I'm only listing on free listing days at the moment. Last week I cleared a little over £16 but something is better than nothing.

I'll aim to update again in a few days. I find this diary a great way of keeping everything in one place. It is helping me get more organised.

Jaspersmum

Hello

I have been enjoying reading your diary this afternoon and you are doing really well - have you tried to contact MBNA and ask them to reconsider the 0%? I have in the past regarding charges and they have always been ok.

What type of handmade things do you make - perhaps you can get an etsy or folksy shop or if you make fab unusual stuff have a look at not on the high street - althought I think they charge you to join in the first place.

Anyway good luck with all your efforts.

JM

Hope2008

Thanks Jaspersmum. I'll have to give MBNA a call and see if they can help.

I make and sell little unusual bits for Weddings/special occassions. It's still very much on a small scale at the moment but I am looking to expand. I'll haee to look into Etsy and Folksy. I'm still too small scale for NOTHS as the fee you have to pay them is a bit steep but maybe one day. x

Hope2008

Debts Paid

£15.26 off loan 2 - balance now 15220
£360 off MBNA card - (£141 council tax, £195 would have been loan 1 amount, £5 quidco, £19 Ebay)

mellonicoley

Just wanted to say hi and commend you for how well you're doing so far

Hope2008

Thanks Mellonicolley. Even though I have moments of panic when I look at the amount we owe at least I know that we are dealing with our debts and getting on top of them - slowly but surely. Good luck to you too.