Breaking the cycle and getting on track

Moodymare · 16 June 2013 at 7:05AM

Hi,
I'm a long time lurker but have now taken the plunge to start my own DFW diary having seen how motivational they've been for others.

Debt currently stands at £2280.56
£503.11 overdraft
£323.96 card 1
£1424.99 card 2

The debts built up over the last 18 months - we moved house last year, things were tight over the first few months and then my car had 2x £500ish bills in close succession with no emergency fund to fall back on hence the credit card spend

and that's pretty much been the cycle.

I have a plan in place to clear this by Christmas and will be using this diary to keep myself on track. As well as clearing the debt I want to loose the 1.5 stone that's crept back on since deciding that I begrudged paying £5 a week to stand on scales. Very MSE of me but my self disciplines let me down! So I'll be using this diary to keep me motivated weight / fitness wise too!

Right best sign off for now - woof is looking at me pleadingly, it's walkies time lol!

Moodymare · 18 June 2013 at 4:52AM

Well progress has been limited by the fact I don't get paid til next week and am skint lol!
I have however transferred the balance of card 1 on to card 2. The 0% period on card 1 finishes next month and card 2 has 12 months to go and no fee on balance transfers so its a no brainer really.

Claimed another £5 amazon card on sb - plan is to save these up and spend on Christmas pressies.

On the exercise front managed to grab an hour for a swim on Sunday - felt really good not been for ages. Hoping to try an new exercise class this evening - it's all in with my gym membership so really must start taking advantage.

Moodymare · 19 June 2013 at 9:49PM

Well didn't manage to get to the exercise class as had to stay late at work instead:( did however manage a 2.5mile jog this morning to make up for it. I'm doing the race for life in 4 weeks and am determined to better last years time so need to put in some practice!

On the finances front thinks are pretty much at a standstill till pay day next week. On the plus side today was a NSD so can't complain.

if_at_first... · 20 June 2013 at 4:25PM

Hello :wave:

Just wanted to pop in and say best of luck. If you put up a SOA loads of people on here can hack it to pieces and might be able to save you a few bob here and there

Moodymare · 27 June 2013 at 5:03AM

Thanks for popping by if at first.....

Well payday finally arrived however another unexpected bill of nearly £500 for work on both cars has knocked me back. Gutted that I had to put some of it on the card. It has made me realise tho that if I'm ever going to break this cycle I need an emergency fund whilst I'm paying it all back rather than waiting till its cleared.

On a more positive note the minimum payment has been made to the card - I just need to go through my budget for the month to see how much more can be sent that way and how much I can afford to put by into an emergency account. Also claimed another £5 amazon card from sb :-)

So jobs for today......
1. Check balance of credit card
2. Sort budget for the month
3. Buy copy of mirror for the aldi voucher
4. Do some exercise!!!!!

Moodymare · 29 June 2013 at 6:11AM

Have joined the grocery challenge for July in an effort to keep our monthly shop under £200. This is just for me, the OH and two woofs.

Not off to a fab start - have already spent £70.75 but this has included a big aldi shop using the £5 voucher so should only need fresh stuff and meat for OH for the remainder of the month.

Have £120 tracked in my cashback account so fingers crossed this pays out successfully. Once they do I will use it to pay part of the od back. Home insurance is up for renewal too. Have run a couple of quotes and look set to save £20 plus a potential £35 in cashback

Right off for a quick run and then to walk the woofs....