Enjoying the journey to becoming debt free - paying back the credit cards

fedupandskint

2 jobs done today - online banking checked and overpayment set up for virgin after min payment goes out in 2 weeks time.

That's 2 overpayments set up now for 2 different weeks of the month on the 2 cards with the highest APR rates. Will have to see if I that makes some difference and if Ican manage anymore for the other 2 weeks of the month.

fedupandskint

Right then I've listed another 3 things on fleabay using up all of my monthly allowance which was a new discovery to me after a few years away from selling on there. Lots of watchers too which is anothe surprise, a nice one though!

Will see what kind of money I can get for my spare old phone today

fedupandskint

Had to go out for some milk today, first time all week been anywhere apart from walking the dog all week. Thought while out may as well do the weekly shop, fill up with liquid gold in the car and nip into town to see what price I could get for the phone. Offered £27 less than online price so declined it and went online instead with another company for £40.07 which will go straight on cc repayments instead of my frittering it away like I would have done before without a second thought.

Picked up a couple of things for Christmas while out to go into brother's present hamper - nearly there now with just a couple of orders left to do paid for by survey vouchers.

Glad to get back home though and although definitely feeling better certainly not back to my normal bouncing self yet.

What else? - Have updated the spending diary for today and will update grocery budget shortly coming somewhere close to £20 over for this month but that should be everything for this month's budget as it starts once again in a week's time. Just need to remain strong next week when back at work and not pop into Mr T to buy anything.

Having said that, I did order the £5 boots on the grabbit as at that price was too good to miss and they should be brill if they fit. I wanted some new black boots as my old knee length ones had bitten the dust last year. If they don't fit they're going back straight for a refund and no p+p as collect free from store. Then the coat I ordered last week went out of stock before it was sent out for me so that's £29.50 not spent. I'm collecting the other navy jacket on sat to see if that fits and, if not, its also going straight back for another refund. Mind you, I don't think that's too bad for £20 though if all fit and look nice - a pair of knee length boots and a jacket!

That's all for now and I know I said no more clothes, however those orders were already in at this stage. That's all for now then and a quiet weekend is on its way shortly

fedupandskint

Have updated the debt free notebook today to include the extra payment a week section for credit cards.

week 1 hsbc
week 2 m+s
week 3 virgin
week 4 mbna

Aim is to make small payments ontop of min payments and additional payments set up.

I will check online banking to make sure have enough money to pay and check overpayments have gone out along with minimum repayments.

Also gave some thought to a clothes budget for next year and have set up a DD to go into a savings account of £20 per month. This will help me stay on track with plans for the buying clothes. It means I will have some money to spend should I want to but also means I have a set amount I can spend which is what I wanted and if a month goes by and I don't spend I will have more for the following month or longer, or if I want something that costs more then I'll just have to save up for it

Really like this idea. It should work really well in helping get on track with buying clothes in the those bargain sales! Plus I'll give myself some breathing time as I'll have to transfer the money first rather than have easy access to it.

I feel really pleased with the progress I've made this week. I know I am really in for the long haul over the next 2 yrs, yet I feel more than up to the challenge and, I know there is light at the end of this tunnel I can see. I feel so much better for facing up to things and realising there is a way to sort this out rather than ignoring them like I have for all those years before.

This is the last time I'm going to mention ignoring things and sticking my head in the sand. That part of my life is over now as I continue to be open and upfront about things and my finances were the last part of my life I had to do this with.

With a unbelievable sense of vigour and determination, its onwards with paying off and decluttering via ebay for me now and see if I can be one of those people on here that manage to pay back their debts in a much shorter time than originally thought

fedupandskint

Have meal planned for next week using up what is in the fridge, freezer and cupboards. I've planned as far as next saturday - not bad going!

fedupandskint

I had the most delish cheap and easy tea made from everything already in the fridge, freezer and cupboards of cauliflower biryani and spiced chicken drumsticks. That 50p cauli from last week went a long way and was very nice indeed! Not bad for 50p!

Other good news is I have nearly all the ingredients for the christmas cake baking session in a week or so meaning not much expense left

Today is a no spend day - number 8 and a record for a Friday too!

fedupandskint

Note to self - list denim jacket, shoes and clothes. 2 or 3 books on amazon too please

lessonlearned

Just had a quick catch up. Good progress there, Sparkles.

Good luck with your ebay.

Definitely agree with selling unwanted stuff. A couple of years ago I cleared my loft - made £1100:D

Needless to say - it's full again.

fedupandskint

Hope I can get close to that figure - will be unbelievable helpful if I do!

so much for feeling better today - feel the worse I have done all week - oh dear couldn't even eat the treat I bought in town - had to go in the bin otherwise I would have been sick - can always eat a bavarian slice usually, the little square ones I get!

Was a good girl in town today and although tried on 3 pairs of sale trousers - 2 bargainous and 1 less so I stuck to my plan and put them back dutifully. Got to say I was very pleased that 2 were a size 8 and fit! One pair was too tight though to wear! Bumped into my neighbour on the way home who told me she knew I wasn't well when she saw me walking the dog the other day and told me I needed a sunday dinner to make me feel better! That's right I do! Certainly have felt better for eating lots of hot food this last week.

Not sure now if I'm going back to work on Monday - need to make sure I'm better before I go back and certainly not go back feeling this way

As not up to much at all this afternoon I'll be listing some stuff to sell as I can manage that

lessonlearned

I did a combination of car boots, auction houses, "converter type places" as well as E-bay.

Have you thought of buying from car boots and charity shops - just invest a few pennies and see if you can trade them on and make a bit of profit.

There's a good market for vintage clothing, bags and accessories. I think you would be good at that.

Hope you feel better soon.