The "I WILL be debt free" diary...

ladymay

Thank you Hovel Lady! This is basically what happened about five minutes ago:EasterBun I now owe my flatmate some chocolate - oops!

ladymay

Had a NSD today :j and even went to the gym in between jobs - for free!!

On the downside, received a letter from the bank today threatening me with legal action and debt collections agencies if I don't clear the debt within ten working days. That's exactly what I intend doing, and I know it's an automated response, but it's left me :mad::mad::mad: My ex has made no contribution to this debt at all event though it's ALL his, and I feel like they're just not bothering to chase it up with him.

ladymay

So I've been doing my sums, and once I've paid off the O/D and paid for my travel for the month I'm going to have 395.47, but £315 of that isn't coming in til the 14th:eek: luckily my landlord/flatmate is a friend who won't mind my paying two lots of rent in June (which means June will be hairy scary too).

That £395.47 has to cover my food, any other expenses and CC repayments, including the double payment I'll have to make on my MBNA card for missing this month's. At least £260 of that will be repayments...

I'm working 7 days a week and feel like I'm trying to empty the Thames with a teaspoon. I've had to use the dreaded CC again for shopping as well because I can't remember if something is due to come out before I get paid this week...

How did I get myself into this mess?

Alleycat

Aw hun, I feel your pain! I know you can do it. It'll be hard but you'll manage in May. Just think how wonderful it will be when you can cross that nasty overdraft off your list.

I know you're really busy but try and get down to the supermarkets when they're slapping the yellow stickers on the stuff due to go out of date then bang it in the freezer. You'd be amazed how much there can be sometimes. There's also loads of threads on the old style board on how to make a can of beans and a tiny piece of cheese last 16 meals. Well maybe a tad of an exaggeration but you get my drift!

Is there anything you could bung on Ebay to help tide you over as well? I'm ebaying like a crazy lady at the moment and not doing too badly. No where near as brilliant as lots on here, but considering how lazy I am!

ladymay

Thanks Alleycat, that's a good idea. I've got my shopping in for this week now but I do try and pop down after work if I'm working in the evenings and I've had some great bargains recently, especially on fresh fruit and veg, which I LOVE!!

Gonna have a rummage and see what I can get rid of on Ebay. The main items I have are clothes, most of which I use because my wardrobe constantly gets raided for costumes when I'm in shows and books. I have about 300 books that I've read and will probably not read again for a very long time, but considering you can get them so cheap brand new nowadays, would it be worth it? I was thinking of seeing if I can swap a load so I have loads of free entertaiment over the next couple of months... Or seeing if I can swap them for a haircut - it's been six months and it's down to my waist :eek:! The only other items of any value (sewing machine, computer etc) are things I use on a regular basis.

I do feel good to be tackling this, but it's so !!!!!!!g scary. There's so much that needs to be done now, it seems: I have to clear the immediate debt, I have to save money for my safety at sea certificate, medical and cruise wardrobe (I'm due to work on a ship at some point this year and, as part of the entertainment staff, I really DO need a new wardrobe), I have the credit cards and other overdraft, I have my ex's parents I have to pay off. Sometimes I can think about it completely rationally, and other times... :mad::undecided:wall:

It will get better, I know, just having one of those days.

Alleycat

Re the clothes for the cruise, how about going to one of those swishing parties? I've always been tempted but felt a bit scared in case my stuff is really rubbish compared to everyone else's or I bring some nice things and the other stuff there to swap with isn't to my taste or my size.

I'm confused about the books as well. We're slowly but surely taking them to our local Oxfam book shop as I just don't have the energy to sit and list them for them to take an age to sell (if they even did). I like the idea of swapping them for things though, especially a haircut! Let us know how you get on with that one.

Just busy updating my sig with my ebay sales that ended this evening, feels good! Also need a kick up the bum to list some more this evening.

ladymay

I feel exactly the same about swishing parties!! Might be worth a try though...

Maybe a car boot might be the way forward re: the books? Shall add that to my to-do list for the week - look for car boots!

And for your kick up the bum, Alleycat, I found this:

http://pinterest.com/pin/162200024049554026/

Hope it helps!

Alleycat

Made me laugh, love it

Have listed another couple of things and am in the process of listing more. Flicking between Ebay and here.

I thought about doing a car boot but seeing as I don't have a car would be a bit difficult I know there are some that have tables for you to use but it's the carting it all there at the crack of dawn. Plus my husband is so miserable, he refused to help. Sounds like a good way to try and shift some books though.

scubaangel

If you're looking to swop the books for something else to read readitswapit is meant to be quite good, I don't use it myself as I tend to read things and list them on amazon and greenmetropolis in the hope of getting them sold (and usually using the money to buy more from charity shops). But it is a faff doing it all at once, and I find I only sell on average one a month but I figure that one fewer book in the pile makes it worth while since I really cant be bothered with carbooting.

I've been looking out for a my work organising a swishing event as I've got a wardrobe full too - but thanks to spending the last 12 months exersizing more and eating less junk everything has got too big but while I'm debtbusting I don't want to be spending too much on new stuff.

ladymay

Hello Scubaangel :wave: and thanks for the tip!

So I'm going to add 'search for swishing parties' and check out 'reditswapit' to my to-do list...

Alleycat, I don't have a car either, going to see if one of my car-owning friends wants to do it with me. I could borrow my grandma's car, but it's over £20 to insure it for the day...

Finally heard from the KOH (kind-of other half ) grovelling about Wednesday night, he said he was so embarrassed he couldn't talk to me, but he has finally apologised. Hmmm. I texted back far too quickly telling him I was hurt and he had a lot of making up to do. We'll see how it pans out.

Back to teaching today - can't wait to get back to my crazy toddlers :T