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BAUK Diary Challenge for 2 year DFD

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Comments

  • :hello:

    I'm back from my hols and it was fabulous, two whole weeks of sunshine, no stress re housework or money and a chance to chill......then home to reality!

    Unfortunately we went over out budget for the fortnight, but where we stayed was very expensive. We were really good and ate in most nights, but decided that we did deserve a treat and ate out about 4 nights with the kids. We were very good however in that we just borrowed plastic cups from the pool bar and filled them with our own drinks so we didn't give in to the kids persistent whinging about wanting drinks from the bar :rolleyes: Most people ate out for lunch and dinner every day and I dread to think how much they spent - surely a fortune.

    So, today I sat down and sorted the money out, grim task that it was. DH started his new job but as he had a weeks break between his old and last one we are quite a bit of money down so no money to put away for the big things this month as I had planned. Also did the whole CC shift as all the deals are coming to an end and I worked out we were paying about £120 interest on the cards we had without deals. Annoyingly we have to pay the 3% but I have tried to rationalise this by thinking that that is the equivalent to a few months interest. It will be easier paying lumps off the CC and none of it being swallowed up in interest. I was going to update my signature but as my debt has increased due to CC transfer charges I am feeling slightly demoralised about it all.

    However, withdrew our spends for the week, spending diary is back in bag, lunch packed for tomorrow and start of a new and hopefully cheaper month :D I am going to join the £10 challenge and also dig out a load of stuff to ebay to get some money together to pay for house insurance, which is due to be renewed next month, and I really want to pay it in full, which I have NEVER done before.

    So I'm back on board after my break and more determined than ever. The holiday made me think that I want to be able to go away every year and relax and treat ourselves, and the only way I can do that is to pay things off asap and then the world is our oyster!!
  • hypno06
    hypno06 Posts: 32,296 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi BAUK. glad you had a good holiday. Good thing is that you are now back in DFW land and will make good progress over the coming months, I'm sure!

    Don't forget to go through quidco when you look for the house insurance. Mine is due next month, so I have started getting quotes. I am looking to do buildings and contents separately in order to get two lots of cashback - it normally works out a little more expensive this way for the policies, but the extra cashback should more than cover the difference!
    Successful women can still have their feet on the ground. They just wear better shoes. (Maud Van de Venne)
    Life begins at the end of your comfort zone (Neale Donald Walsch)
  • Well I'm back at boring work and spending diary is still in force 2 days on and I have only spent £1.70 so far!

    Forgotten about kids expenses though, DD's school dinners were completely forgotten about, then DS came home from nursery wanting to do french lessons and we had to pay for both swimming lessons which came to about £90 :eek: Also had to sort out train and metro tickets for North Run, so belts are very tight this month.

    Am hoping for a lot cheaper month now though. It is my birthday soon and I have told DH that I don't want anything big and I would rather wait until we have cleared this debt, I am quite happy with some books from the 2nd hand shop as I love reading, and maybe just the 4 of us going out for something to eat one afternoon.

    I have managed to contain myself so far though - I have just had the most fantastic piece of news ever :D My best friend moved to Barbados last year and has wanted me to visit her since she went. I told her the truth, when I first posted here, about money troubles and she has been amazing, she has now invited me over for an all expenses paid holiday for a week - and I'm not allowed to say no!!! She had already spoken to DH and work and they have agreed a week early next year and she has booked and paid for my flights - and just told me! She will get me from the airport, I can stay with her, eat/drink there and she says she will not accept a penny!! I am SO SO SO SO excited. If she had asked me beforehand I would have said no as I would have felt awkward accepting money but now it's done there is little I can do but jump up and down for joy. It will be wierd as it is just me and Dh is staying at home with the kids but I can't wait to see her as it has been too long already. The only thing I've promised is to work even harder at getting my debt down, as she has kind of become my book keeper and checks up on me so I don't fall off the bandwagon too badly.

    Just had to share!

    Back to work and reality now!
  • Seaxwyn
    Seaxwyn Posts: 4,896 Forumite
    Wow brilliant news blackangel! What a lovely friend!
    Total debt: 1 January 2007 £[strike]49,387.79[/strike] 1 January 2012 £[STRIKE]19,312.85[/STRIKE] 1 August 2012 £11,517.62



  • I know, she's an absolute star and I was gutted when she left, as I thought that I wouldn't get to see her until all my debts are paid off - which is years - but now I am so excited.

    I am driving my work colleague mad and he has told me to go home as I am grining like a Cheshire Cat. She announced it to me over MSN in work so I couldn't scream and shout!
  • pania
    pania Posts: 8,258 Forumite
    :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j

    It couldn't happen to someone nicer or more deserving. I'm over the moon for you hon and you hop like crazy round that office of yours on your gym balls and drive all your colleagues loopy, You deserve it, Big BIG hugs.
    p
    XXXX:D
    debt @05/11/11 £12210.63!! slowly chipping away!!
    :heart2:impossible is nothing.:heart2:
  • hypno06
    hypno06 Posts: 32,296 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    That image of BAUK falling off the gym ball in the office will stay with us forever!!!

    Really good news about the hol. What a fab friend you have got. :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

    (does she want some more friends - we are a nice bunch!)
    Successful women can still have their feet on the ground. They just wear better shoes. (Maud Van de Venne)
    Life begins at the end of your comfort zone (Neale Donald Walsch)
  • :hello:

    I am still so excited. She e-mailed me the booking confirmation this morning. I go in Feb and I already want to book in online and sort my seat out :rotfl: I even get my own TV on my seat - I might just stay on the plane for the whole week :o

    We have now got an adult space hopper in the office (stress relief) - the ones that you see on UK Gold (orange and big) so I did a little victory hop on one of those whilst the boss was out - I am also persistently singing I am going to Barbados and annoying the majority of those around me!

    I will see if I can vacuum pack you in my bags if you fancy it?

    I am "working" from home today and for the 3rd day we have had no post, is there a strike? Very sadly I am waiting for the most recent credit card bill so I can update my sig hopefully in the downwards direction!
  • Nothing much to add to my diary but posting to keep me inspired :rolleyes:

    I really need to make up some money this month as I really wanted to get some money raised for the house insurance renewal next month. I have done really well with MB but now I have done the easy ones, it is time to tackle the more difficult ones so I think I need to do it with a clear head - which I don't have right now.

    Have got stuff to ebay and will put my books from holiday on Amazon as well, really need to try to put some time aside to do that this weekend - aaarrrggghhhh need a kick up the bum.

    Going to start looking into renewal of house insurance via quidco for the cashback and now I have no CC on my credit records I was thinking about getting a Tescos Card to pay for my shopping, settle it in full every month and then take the points and make them into deals - what do you think?

    Still toying with the idea of mystery shopping, but my head just feels mashed at the moment - I really need some inspiration - help!!!

    I have been quite good though as my friend invited me out for lunch today and tea tomorrow and I have said no that we can't afford it. We are going out for a meal for my birthday next weekend but I'm using my hi-life card to get one meal free so that makes me feel much better :D

    Back to work I go.........
  • pania
    pania Posts: 8,258 Forumite
    BOOT!!!!!! up the backside for you young girl!! what appears to be behind the cloudy head? you ok?
    debt @05/11/11 £12210.63!! slowly chipping away!!
    :heart2:impossible is nothing.:heart2:
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