My brand new debt fighting diary

datlex

This morning I updated my car insurance on line to say have a garage. Didn't make any difference to the policy. I suspect might be due to it being part way through the year. Be interesting to see what the renewal is later in the year.
I'm currently looking at opening a savings account for my car insurance. I've worked out that if I save £10 a week from now until the car insurance is due, I will have saved up the same as this year's car insurance. I just need to decide the best way to do this.
I'm thinking at present at setting up a standing order to transfer a fixed amount of my pay increase to my cash card account which I use to put in money which I don't spend each week from my spending account. I use this account to pay my Barclaycard - which I use for things like budgeted breaks. The latest statement is for a budgeted break in March due to be paid by 7th May. Won't have another spend on it until next budgeted spend in mid June- I suspect that will fall due in July. Once these are spent I can look seriously at saving for replacements for my futons. I can then look at saving a bit each week to build up a fund towards paying off my loan quicker - which is after all the aim of doing a DFW diary

datlex

I've just been reading snippets of the debt free roll of honour. It is really inspirational and encouraging. Really good to see a load of tips to help beat debt and pay it of quicker. Of course you can't tell from the posts how much someone's income was in relation to their debs, but every single one is an achievement. I particularly like the tip which occurred a few times of never thinking it's only- £2,20p etc. Another tip I liked was the review your spending tip. This is something I have been thinking of doing for a while. Am I really getting the best value for the things I buy?

I've opened my car insurance account- it has £1 in it as opening balance. Going to set up a standing order to the account each week for £10. Last year's car insurance was £320 so hoping it won't be much different this year.

Emailed my main bank to ask the current interest rate on my ISA and savings account. Don't earn enough to save in an ISA so save up a small amount in there for one of my yearly budgets. Once get the figures back will be looking at which are the best accounts to save up my various budgets in. Will only be pennies at this time.

Have updated my spread sheet to account for my garage rent - should mean car is safe from the local vandals, there have been a number of cases here where people have had damage to their cars- I had my wing mirrors and back wiper broken.


I'm also setting aside 25% of my unallocated spend each week to go towards savings either for the things I need -list keeps getting longer, though some things are not expensive such as food containers or those shelves for inside cupboards or on work tops; or my debt reduction hopes.

Can't really say today is a NSD- I transferred the money to my Debenhams card to cover my rent, council tax and monthly fares payment. But it wasn't an unplanned spend day. This week I got a £5 voucher plus 5% extra off to spend at Debenhams as a result of paying my rent etc via that card. Going to use it to buy myself a new belt for my jeans next Saturday.

On Monday, I'm going to see if can do a bit of overtime this month at work to earn a few extra pennies. I don't think it should be a problem and now the weather is a bit warmer and lighter I don't mind staying a little later a few days a week.

datlex

It occurred to me today that I might not need to do a weekly food shop this week online at Tesco. I have enough poultry and fish to last the week, plus plenty of pasta noodles and rice. Fruit and Veg I now get from Aldi's so will still get that. Only things I know will need this week are milk and kitchen roll. Thinking can use the money don't spend this week towards getting some airtight food containers that I need, without spending any extra out of my budget.

datlex

Today I made enquiries about changing the provider for my cash isa- bank had indicated I could but two other banks said couldn't. When asked in ISA forum- didn't get an answer. In fact rather than helping, some people made very unhelpful and judgemental comments- so glad those type of people don't frequent this board.

Tomorrow eve, will be setting up a few SOs for items am budgeting for.

datlex

Went to Argos today and got a set of food storage containers and also a couple of those false shelves you can get for inside cupboards. Mine were really getting to be a bit of a nightmare so needed sorting. Had enough nectar vouchers to get the two half price so was pleased about that. Still need to get a spaghetti jar.
I'm going to do a grocery shop in a while for items other than pasta, rice, fish and poultry- got plenty of those but want to stock cupboards up with other necessary items such as washing up liquid and kitchen roll.

tootallulah

Hi Datlex just nipping in to let you know I am reading. You are so organised and disciplined. Good to hear that your car wasn't too expensive. Your savings plan looks great.

datlex

Thanks. I haven't always been organised hence why I have the loan I need to pay off.

datlex

Today is what I class as a good day spend wise. I've bought fruit and veg for the week from Aldi and spent £11.70. My other expense was a £12.50 pair of back up glasses. Tonight am going to a charity quiz night so shouldn't cost much only a donation :-)

datlex

Yesterday I went for a gym induction locally. It is only £2.10 a session. Really need to get into doing more exercise if I am to shift more weight. Other than walking which doesn't really motivate me in the cold and wet, this is the cheapest option. (I don't have a cycle at the mo- again weather would be a factor). I am hoping to get to the gym once or twice a week at the moment. I'm also wondering about going swimming once a week but will hold on that until get into the gym properly. I realise this is an extra expense but feel it is a worthwhile expense as I am investing in my health so I can avoid illness.

Today I picked up a pasta container that I'd order to hold spaghetti- my cupboard was getting too cluttered and I'd already had one accident with things falling out so am taking steps to make it safer. I also bought a large amount of my fruit and veg for the week from Aldi's - quality wasn't as great this week had to search through a bit for reasonable quality (some had mould!- normally it is quite good) Still was only £11.87 so can't complain and I'll certainly be getting my 5 a day minimum .

Money saving today came in the form of cooking lunch ready for tomorrow

datlex

I'm always fascinated reading through the debt free threads. So many varieties of issues. Lots of helpful tips too.

Started savings up this week. I now have a small payment in each account.

Check Barclaycard account online - showing zero balance. Should stay like that until need to use it to pay for break away including to visit family.

Waiting for Debenhams to send through pin number- need it to spend the paper points voucher I have from them for £5 even if don't go over that. (Need a new belt- so going to use it for that).

Need at some point to book a hair cut - haven't had one since before Christmas last year so it is really due one. My previous hairdresser is no longer trading, so I need to find a new one. always a challenge. Planning on getting hair done early June, so at some point next week will be looking to get a hair dresser arranged. Might need to travel to find a reasonable one but don't mind as can make a day out of it.