Debtbusting not Sales Hunting

Mich81

I've really enjoyed reading these diaries, so thought my own would keep me motivated.

Oddly, I've not totalled up my debts to get an exact figure, but I know my loan is just under £7k and my cards /store accounts come to roughly £2600 :eek: Just seeing that written down scares me.

I live at home, and even though I drive I should be rolling in it - but those pesky shops keep e-mailing me with tempting offers. So after my LBM I decided to block them all then they won't pop up in my inbox and tempt me to spend after a tough day at work.

I've also recently started taking Citalopram, the depression really doesn't help me not to shop and since I started taking them I've lost a stone so had to buy a couple of new things - but they were all budgeted for so I don't feel too guilty about it.

I know the sensible thing is to snowball and hit the highest APR card first, but I'm hitting the smaller balances first instead as the satisfaction of being able to see a Zero balance works better for me. Capital One is gone, and River Island (£260) will be cleared on Tuesday

Anyone wanting to come along for the ride, or give me some debtbusting ideas are more than welcome.

I'm giving myself £200 a month to 'live on' this includes petrol, but doesn't include food at home because I pay my mum board to cover this - so I need plenty of NSD's if I also want to have a social life - which being single is important for me or I'd just sit in the house every weekend tempted by the online shops :rotfl:

katsu

Hi Mich,

Good luck. Can you find a cheap charity shop and allow yourself some monthly cash for ecconomical treats?

Perhaps try finding social activities by looking at volunteering opportunities, so you are not spending money (or only the money to get there) but still meeting people and having fun?

Hope the ideas help and best wishes with your journey.

Mich81

Thanks for the ideas, the charity shops this way aren't great - I only live in a small town. But I'm using ebay, just got a lovely Ted Baker dress from there for a black tie birthday do I'm going to in March for £5.20!

I'm not sure I could commit to volunteering unfortunately - my mum is registered disabled so I also do a lot for her at the weekends, and also take her to hospital appointments, supermarket etc.

Mich81

Decided on a spontaneous clean up of my wardrobe, got a huge bag of clothes destined for a charity shop. Turns out I still have 27 dresses - and to think I always worry I'm wearing the same things all the time.

At least today is a NSD day.

Edit - 27 dresses in wardrobes, just remembered I have a lot of summer clothes packed away in a suitcase because I have no room for them - no wonder I'm in debt :mad:

Mich81

Off work today, so another NSD.

Dropped off a sewing machine I sold on ebay earlier, so thats £45 to debts, and just registered to sell all my DVDs on Music Magpie. Ok the money isn't great, but I can't remember the last time I watched a DVD, so its another £20 to throw at debts when the cheque arrives.

Mich81

Payday today!

Paid off my River Island account, £260 so thats gone.

Slightly depressing to see my current account back down to (almost) zero on the same day I get paid, but I have £200 cash in my purse to last me the month. Have a couple of nights out this month so need to be very good spending wise and take plenty of lunches into work with me.

Off work again today, so another NSD!