Batten down the hatches.....

catriona79

Orange_Ena wrote: »

Last day off tomorrow

Yesterday
* £8.50 on knickers. I couldn't carry on managing with my old knickers, I've lost so much weight. I used to pay £4-6 pound a pair but I got 8 pairs for £8.50.....seem quite good quality too. What a revelation!
* £36.97 in T3sco, a few things on offer and some essentials. I bought 2 big, pretty storage boxes. £10 down to £2. Not really needed but I couldn't resist
* 2 PA surveys. Up to £10.15 payable and awaiting £4.05. Will cash out at £20
* VO survey. Took me over the threshold so I redeemed a £45 Am@zon voucher. When I get the Sw@gbucks voucher, I'll be up to £96 in my Am@zon account.
* £190 on my new shower and while the plumber was here, he changed my loo seat for me. I bought it ages ago but couldn't work out how to do it myself!

Today
* £10 cash received for my spare vacuum cleaner :T
* £38 on a facial.......a total treat really. I used to have a facial every month but I couldn't carry on so now it's every 10-12 weeks. I don't drink, smoke or pay for cable / sky so this and my hair appointment is my treat. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :rotfl::D
* £6 on some clips to get something fixed at home which my dad kindly did for me. Maybe saved £100-150 on calling a tradesperson!
* 400SB earned

While the plumber was here yesterday, he gave me a quote for replacing 2 radiators and installing a towel rail in the bathroom. I definitely need to do something before the winter comes as the radiators are awful at giving out heat. I tried bleeding them but they are just so old so I need to bite the bullet and get that done before Christmas. He quoted £490 which is only a bit better than a quote I had the other week.

If I ever get round to getting a lodger, I need to get this done anyway. I'm not even sure it's manageable before Christmas with being £150 down over the next 2 paydays but I will try!

I've got in a right pickle with YNAB. Everything was fine until I entered a few transactions then I was over budget for September but had some available for October. I just couldn't see where I went wrong so I've saved that budget and started a brand new fresh one. Even though I think I've got my head around it, I can't quite make it work for the last few days of the month when some money goes out by direct debit. It's October income but going out in September. I think as the time goes on and I develop a surplus, I will be able to budget those last few days of the month properly. I might spend some time watching the seminars again.......maybe I've forgotten a lot since I watched them!

Up to 35 watchers on 12 items on eb@y now. 2 bids so far and if everything sells for the listing price it'll be about £50. Come on buyers......momma needs some new radiators :rotfl::D

So, the shower is all repaired now, how fab. Must be a relief. I know what you mean re radiators, you need them in working order for the winter. If you did decide to have a lodger, that could pay for them over a couple of months, I imagine. Isn't it crazy, how we are stuck in a loop with this debt, in that it's preventing us from making choices we might otherwise make, which might in turn help us get out of debt? Crazy situation, and I want to be out of it ASAP, as I am sure do you. Enough putting it off now for me, and we are well on our way. The change of the mindset is the most important thing, as without it and without maintaining a strong focus this is not really possible!

I know I keep going on about it, but I'd really recommend having a lodger. Not forever, but just short term. Have you worked out how many months you'd have to rent your room out for, to pay for the alterations to it needed before renting it out?

Before I got my first lodger, I felt really unsure about it. I remember the long conversations with my friend and thinking of what it would be like to share with someone I didn't know. I had been married for years before and only shared as a student, and then for 10 years lived just with my husband, so felt like it would be a huge change.
I am glad that I did it though, it gave me a much needed injection of cash and enabled me to do a few nice things - though obviously there is a trade off. But all of my lodgers except one were really cool people and especially my last one is great as she's a great compani

Im on too, and we both get out and have coffee on a Saturday morning or go for impromptu drinks. Normally with friends you'd have to art age a week ahead, and with a housemate it's more like: oh, are you stuck for things to do - lets go out for a glass of wine / are you feeling a bit low - lets get out for a walk round the block!
The key is finding the right person. But we now know ourselves far better than we did in our twenties, so it's easier too.

I thank my lucky star that I got a house when I did. Had I waited, like my dad was telling me to do, I'd now not be able to study, because I wouldn't have the backup of the income from the house. So many people rent, into their fifties and I really feel for them.

Good to hear about the facial - what kind was it? I love the feeling! I've been going to shiatsu every now and then, does wonders for my sleep. I think you deserve a treat!

Re YNAB, I use it too, but goodness me, it needs a will of iron. I do really like it though. Especially for making you face up to your discretionary spending. I now try to spend sensibly on food, as I used to go to Aldi but waste a lot, since there's only me to feed, and now have taken to buying low calorie ready meals quite often, especially as there are now three of us sharing the fridge, so there's not that much room for fruit and veg any more. I will try and eat out of the freezer this weekend though. There's lots in there! And my cupboard is full too. That needs reducing, so some creativity will be required. New budget now, as new month. New beginnings. Here is to a good October!

belleandthebudget

I've managed to get myself tangled up on YNAB every month since I started using it. I think I need to be stricter about inputting EVERYTHING as soon as I buy it so that I don't get mixed up!

Wow you're doing great on the selling too! Yay!

Orange_Ena

catriona79 wrote: »

Hello Ena,

So, it's Friday morning of your week off, still full 3 days of wonderful leisure!

Ooh the Amazon vouchers. Xmas presents for family (do you have many to buy for?) or a treat for yourself? You've been extremely disciplined. Sometimes Amazon do the same boots as high St stores, if you need a winter pair.

I still haven't spend my M&S vouchers! Still not seen anything there, but have recently started buying their low calorie meals, so may use it on that, bit by bit and reduce my food spend for October. Since I'd be buying them anyway! Then if I really want a coat from there, I can get that too. But I only rarely see things in M&S that I like. So that may be a plan, as it will save me spending it for the sake of it. I need some of your discipline, Ena!

Oh no, it's all over now Catriona! That week off is a distant memory now

I don't buy for many people, just immediate family, but I tend to get them theatre or comedy vouchers so looks like it'll be a treat for myself instead :rotfl:;) That sounds like a good idea with your M&S vouchers. You could put the equivalent cash in towards debts or savings so you sort of pay yourself back while whittling down the vouchers. I might try and do that with some of the Am@zon vouchers. I need some new bedding so I'll buy from Am@zon then put the equivalent towards my CC. :T

Orange_Ena

catriona79 wrote: »

So, the shower is all repaired now, how fab. Must be a relief. I know what you mean re radiators, you need them in working order for the winter. If you did decide to have a lodger, that could pay for them over a couple of months, I imagine. Isn't it crazy, how we are stuck in a loop with this debt, in that it's preventing us from making choices we might otherwise make, which might in turn help us get out of debt? Crazy situation, and I want to be out of it ASAP, as I am sure do you. Enough putting it off now for me, and we are well on our way. The change of the mindset is the most important thing, as without it and without maintaining a strong focus this is not really possible!

I know I keep going on about it, but I'd really recommend having a lodger. Not forever, but just short term. Have you worked out how many months you'd have to rent your room out for, to pay for the alterations to it needed before renting it out?

Before I got my first lodger, I felt really unsure about it. I remember the long conversations with my friend and thinking of what it would be like to share with someone I didn't know. I had been married for years before and only shared as a student, and then for 10 years lived just with my husband, so felt like it would be a huge change.
I am glad that I did it though, it gave me a much needed injection of cash and enabled me to do a few nice things - though obviously there is a trade off. But all of my lodgers except one were really cool people and especially my last one is great as she's a great compani

Im on too, and we both get out and have coffee on a Saturday morning or go for impromptu drinks. Normally with friends you'd have to art age a week ahead, and with a housemate it's more like: oh, are you stuck for things to do - lets go out for a glass of wine / are you feeling a bit low - lets get out for a walk round the block!
The key is finding the right person. But we now know ourselves far better than we did in our twenties, so it's easier too.

I thank my lucky star that I got a house when I did. Had I waited, like my dad was telling me to do, I'd now not be able to study, because I wouldn't have the backup of the income from the house. So many people rent, into their fifties and I really feel for them.

Good to hear about the facial - what kind was it? I love the feeling! I've been going to shiatsu every now and then, does wonders for my sleep. I think you deserve a treat!

Re YNAB, I use it too, but goodness me, it needs a will of iron. I do really like it though. Especially for making you face up to your discretionary spending. I now try to spend sensibly on food, as I used to go to Aldi but waste a lot, since there's only me to feed, and now have taken to buying low calorie ready meals quite often, especially as there are now three of us sharing the fridge, so there's not that much room for fruit and veg any more. I will try and eat out of the freezer this weekend though. There's lots in there! And my cupboard is full too. That needs reducing, so some creativity will be required. New budget now, as new month. New beginnings. Here is to a good October!

Yep, the shower is all fixed :T It's a relief to get it done although I'm half expecting a larger water bill as I'm on a meter! :eek: You're so right about the change of mindset and how debt is a trap. When I fell off the wagon after my original LBM, I didn't really think about what I was doing. Part of me knew I was getting deeper in to debt but I don't think I cared. I'd let everything get on top me, the debt, my possessions, job and weight and it was all just too much. But I started with cleaning my house, tackled the weight, which has made me feel better in myself and able to tackle the debt. If I could leave my job tomorrow I would, but the sensible part of me knows this job is going to make getting out of debt quicker. And now I don't need to buy endless carp to cheer myself up about my job cause the other areas of my life are being addressed. We are on our way and we will get there! I reckon by the time I'm debt free, I'll have been in debt 22 years. Crikey! :eek:

I definitely still want to get a lodger. I think once I've got new radiators, new internal doors and decorated the spare room I'd be good to go. Eventually I want to get a nice shower and have the bath taken out, get my room, and hall, stairs and landing decorated but that can wait till I have some lodger income. In my mind I'm aiming to be ready by April. But I might just end up spending on my card and using the cash to get the jobs done, and then pay it back quickly with the lodger income. I'll leave that decision until January though, get through Christmas first

I shared when I was a student and unless I'm looking through rose tinted glasses, it was fine. I think I'm tidier than I was then so that's obviously a help. And if I get someone that's working a lot and just sleeping here, that would be great, although I doubt I'll be that lucky. To have the income will be totally worth it though, and it's not forever! *just think of the money, just think of the money* :rotfl:

It was a lovely facial, not sure what kind but it smelt nice and felt a-maz-ing! Ooh a shiatsu, hmmm, I want another treat now

Yep, here's to a good October :beer: Only 20 days until payday :rotfl::T

Orange_Ena

belleandthebudget wrote: »

I've managed to get myself tangled up on YNAB every month since I started using it. I think I need to be stricter about inputting EVERYTHING as soon as I buy it so that I don't get mixed up!

Wow you're doing great on the selling too! Yay!

Do you have the YNAB app? I've added some transactions when I've been out and about and that's been quite helpful. Or maybe just stop buying stuff so you don't have to update it? :rotfl::D

Orange_Ena

Roll on the weekend, anything but work!

Friday
* £2.15 in H0me Barg@ins for padded envelopes and bubble wrap for my eb@y parcels
* £38.60 on groceries
* PA survey
* 349SB earned and some daily goal bonuses paid of around 600SB :T

Saturday
* NSD
* VO survey
* 96SB earned and another £10 Am@zon voucher! redeemed. That takes me up to £106 in my Am@zon account :beer:
* The £100 incentive for switching to FD hit my account. I've decided to put £50 towards my radiators and pay £50 off my Barcl@ycard
* I did the soft search credit card eligibility thing as I need to switch the balance on my Barcl@ycard as I think the 0% deal finishes next month. It seems I have options but I'll wait until early next month as I've not long done a search for my Ll0yds CC.

Sunday
* NSD
* 114SB earned

Monday
* £35.60 on fuel
* £3.99 on cat litter
* £22.11 on sending 6 eb@y parcels
* 91SB earned

Today
* £8.04 on special cat food
* £3.90 on postage for eb@y parcel
* £9.70 on milk, cheese and ice lollies
* VO survey
* 101SB earned

I sold 9 out of my 12 items on eb@y and I think that's a profit of around £42 once fees are taken. I've taken the parcel money straight out of payp@l as I go along so I don't get in a pickle with budgets. The listing fees are £6.50 so anything left is pure profit and will be sent to Barclayc@rd CC. If I pay another £16.25 to my Barcl@ycard, once next month's payment is taken, I'll be under £2000 on that card. A huge boost to me. Shame the Ll0yds card isn't in the same state!

Orange_Ena

Over the hump day now

Wednesday
* £7.80 on the final 2 eb@y parcels (paid myself back from paypal)
* £3.00 on chocolate and receipt scanned on checkoutsm@rt
* VO survey
* 2 PA surveys
* 125SB earned

I've worked out my eb@y profit after all the fees and it's £39.09 which is a bit less than I thought but I'm still happy it can go towards the Barcl@ycard CC. Plus I've cleared 9 items of clothing from my wardrobe so there's some space for some new clothes. Oh wait........that's not really the idea is it? :rotfl::D;)

catriona79

Orange_Ena wrote: »

Over the hump day now

Wednesday
* £7.80 on the final 2 eb@y parcels (paid myself back from paypal)
* £3.00 on chocolate and receipt scanned on checkoutsm@rt
* VO survey
* 2 PA surveys
* 125SB earned

I've worked out my eb@y profit after all the fees and it's £39.09 which is a bit less than I thought but I'm still happy it can go towards the Barcl@ycard CC. Plus I've cleared 9 items of clothing from my wardrobe so there's some space for some new clothes. Oh wait........that's not really the idea is it? :rotfl::D;)

Hehe - no it's not!!! :rotfl:

£40 is a good result, evil BCard balance is going down! Woo hoo!
The alternative would have been 9 pieces of clothing in your wardrobe that you may have been bored of / may not have fitted anyway!
Good job!

Success!!!

belleandthebudget

That's a great profit for selling stuff you wouldn't have been using anyway!

Orange_Ena

catriona79 wrote: »

Hehe - no it's not!!! :rotfl:

£40 is a good result, evil BCard balance is going down! Woo hoo!
The alternative would have been 9 pieces of clothing in your wardrobe that you may have been bored of / may not have fitted anyway!
Good job!

Success!!!

Woohoo I'm happy with that. [email]Barclayc@rd......you[/email]'re going dahn!! :rotfl: Yeah, they were all too big so I wouldn't have worn them anyway, cause I'm definitely NOT going to put the weight back on! Can't afford to :rotfl::D