Catriona's Credit Card Countdown

Orange_Ena

catriona79 wrote: »

Hello Ena,

Thanks for the encouragement! I feel I need it a bit more now, don't know why.

L2 is definitely more trouble than anything; what annoys me most is the fibbing. Nothing is ever her fault, she was telling L1 that she was sorry L1 was having to go to the laundrette, but quickly corrected herself to say she wasn't sorry because she'd done it, only that L1 couldn't do her washing! Madness.
Unluckily for her, this time her washing was in the machine, so there's proof. L1 was also annoyed because she had been so adamant to her that it wasn't her fault, and L1 was upset that I might think she had done it.
To think that it broke on Thursday and she went away to her parents for a long weekend and didn't tell anyone. We found out on Saturday afternoon and neither of us could do any washing over the weekend.

On top of everything, L2 went to Morocco a month ago and my rough guide to Morocco disappeared from the shelf a while ago now and hadn't returned. She didnt even ask! Can't get my head around it.

It would have been different if she just tried to chip in a little, and actually research how to repair the washing machine etc. but obviously she can't do that, because her position is that it wasn't her.

Anyway, only about 3 weeks to go. Can't come round soon enough. If you rent a room out, there's so much you need to tell them upfront and put in the lodger's agreement; I'm definitely updating mine! Most people are ok, but before they move in , you can't really tell...

Rant over!!!! :rotfl:

You are right in what you said about getting a new lodger in ASAP! Before I get used to too much comfort. I think the payments off the cards and making more savings will be worth it overall.

Great news on the job front. I don't like my job, but hopefully this is not forever and I can do something more fulfilling in a couple of years or so!

Thank you for the positivity - much needed!

Blimey, you do sound well shot of her. I'll cry if I get anyone like that! Accidents happen, but the lying would annoy me too. And taking your book without asking! That might seem like nothing to her but it's rude. I would hate that more than the washing machine I think. Fair enough if she'd of asked, at least you could have decided and I guess it wouldn't have been a problem! You'll have to check her bags before she leaves :eek:

Here's to both of us moving on to jobs we enjoy :beer:

Have a great week, more positivity being flung your way!

catriona79

bellevie wrote: »

We are good thank you - it is harder now its dark in the mornings, but touch wood we have yet to be late to school or work!

Oh reading that through I cant wait until L2 goes - and I don't even live with her!

Could you include a clause in the contract that carpet, window & curtains have to be cleaned upon leaving, or you will deduct £100 fee from the deposit -labour costs for the time it might take you to clean and the fact that it might have to be empty for a while whilst you sort it?

Fantastic work on the debt & savings - and yes I would be inclined to also earn from savings whilst you can especially if you are not paying interest on the card.

It is a shame about the parking tickets - any chance of contesting? Were they from 2 separate visits? Anything that you can point to that caused you to overstay - for example were the queues too long etc? I know there are rules over different car parks fines some are enforceable some are not. I think there is some advice about it on this site somewhere

Are you all set to decorate for Christmas?

xx

Gosh, well done on your super efficient early morning routine!

Soooo glad L2 is leaving!

I will definitely change the contract and include all sorts of things, also will be much firmer with new lodger, and will will not try to get pally with her, but keep my distance until I'm convinced she is sound and respectful.

I am pleased with my savings, it's such a relief to be seeing them go down. Despite my credit rating going up significantly, it appears that I still don't have very high chances of getting a couple of the cards I would like! I'm interested in those that don't charge fees, they normally offer 19-21 months at 0%. But I could get a Barclayc@rd so that will have to do. It's cheap debt.

I've paid the parking tickets, didn't want to have to stress about it. Thought about contesting, but it's done now - and I'm not going to get done for it again. Oh no!

Almost ready for x,as decorating! I have my last assignment due 10th Dec and that's when I'll do it! You? X x

bellevie

I bet its easier said than done though keeping distant especially when you spend so much time together.

We will make a start on the 12th December - we always get DD's birthday out the way first otherwise it feels as though its been Christmas for too long by the time it gets here!

AspiringButAnxious

Glad you're nearly rid of L2! Can't believe you have to outline (un)acceptable behaviour like "straling my possessions is not allowed" and "if you break my property, don't lie about it" :mad: :eek: :mad: I never fail to be astonished by the audacity of some people...

catriona79

Morning ladies.

Bellevie and ABA hope you are doing well?

I will be making a start on Xmas decorating on 12th too! That's after my submission dates.

Yeah, ABA, I know... I think I've got used to it now, but it came as a shock. Just goes to show that you never know and it's best to improve my lodger agreement. It will never be bulletproof, but you gotta try.

Today is my day off work and I'm about to sit down and finish off my assignment no1, and carry on with assignment no2. It's exciting really! Heating will be going on, and general cosines will be happening as I type away!

I have had someone recommend the new Tony Robbinson book about money. Will have to check it out.

Have a good day

catriona79

Well, hello ladies. I feel like I've finished a very productive and positive day. Stayed at home today and it was bliss. Made a curry as well - highly improvised, even added maple syrup it was good though in the end!
I'm an online shop convert!
So useful to but a little bit of something new. In fact, I'm going to add a few things to the basket. So easy to control the spend too.

catriona79

Has everyone had a decent weekend?
I'm here motoring through the lit review on my second essay. Got tomorrow off, great stuff. feeling happy about that!
Had my internet shopping delivered today, all very nice and I feel prepared for the week ahead.

Money wise, I've been ok. Went out for an awful meal with the ex, which was catastrophic in many ways and the food was definitely not worth the £35 I paid! Oh what a nasty argument. Much to think about, though I don't necessarily want to be thinking about it. Pfffff...
I'm hoping that this December will be very money saving, as I don't have to get a present for my ex. Might either save the money, or possibly buy myself something to celebrate.

Ah also had to pay £306 for uni... Don't resent it though, as it's been so great! It brings me a lot of fulfilment.
Speaking of which, it's time to get on!

Rebecca01

Sorry to read about your awful meal. Booo !

Yes buy yourself something to celebrate of you had planned for the money anyway.

Hope you get the essay done soon. Then it will soon be Christmas:-)) xx

catriona79

Well, so here we go, another week half gone, and it will soon be Xmas!

I've done a bit of Xmas decorating today, though firstly I swept the leaves from the front garden. It's only the size of a postal stamp, but there were 2.5 bags of leaves there! It's the gusty winds.

So then I hoovered everywhere and cleaned all the floors and finished off by hanging some baubles on a lit up tree I have in the sitting room all year. It looks pretty. Hung a wreath on the front door too, gorgeously Christmassy and cosy!!!

L2 is moving out next Friday. I'll have to arrange for a carpet cleaning company to pop round. I still haven't been able to sort out the erroneous transfer of my gas supply from when she moved in, and she's already moving out! She was with B Gas in the flat she rented and she gave them my address, so they took over supply from my company. All a bit strange.
And my second bath mat has disappeared and a towel I think (though can't be sure) - but I have two identical mats and one is just plain gone! This is all very awkward. I'll have to ask her.

So, it brings me to my new lodger dilemma. When I think about it, I think I probably should go for it. I'll have to get a bed for the room, that will cost about £250 - but will soon pay for itself.

But ooh I so don't want any more trouble. I guess I'll have to grit my teeth and get on with it, and the money will sweeten the deal.

I'd much rather get some savings behind me and move on, rather than have to be living with one lodger for eternity.
It would be so nice to have a partner to have all this with. I was feeling quite motivated after watching an episode of nigella today, as I was having some food. She was entertaining a small group of friends and it was all that I want, just to share a house with a nice man, and to be able to have friends round, and get cosy for evenings in. Seriously, I miss that so much about being married. Feeling close to someone. Aaaah.
So, my motivation was about my ex. I don't think I'd ever have had that with him. And I could have it with someone new, so gotta keep going on those dates!! Have met a few nice men recently, decent men. So it's not all that bad and not all is lost. Feeling positive.

You know there's research that shows that if you do a fake smile for a few seconds again and again, it makes your brain think that you're happy? And as a result, you actually feel better? I'm doing it right now!

Have a good night everyone x

catriona79

Big day in C79 HQ!!!

First credit card ever fully paid off!



No balance transfers this time, oh no! :dance:

Very happy now, and really needed it too, so I just went for it.



The new totals are as follows:

Debt:
Halifax card - £5800 – 0% until March 2016
Santander card - £2745 – 0% until May 2016
Total credit card debt is: £8,545


Savings:
TSB account - £3,041
FD regular saver - £1500
HSBC ISA – £330
M&S regular saver - £125
Car savings - £60
Total savings are:£5,056

Which means that my net debt is £3,489 :beer: