My story/I mean it this time..

asparagus1968

bit of a !!!!!! about the loan but sounds like you have a plan.
wishing you lots of luck to get sorted soon

Mizen79

asparagus1968 wrote: »

bit of a !!!!!! about the loan but sounds like you have a plan.
wishing you lots of luck to get sorted soon

Thankyou very much

Ya, big mess up on the loan amount, but now I finally have everything in order, I am actually looking forward to this challenge- and completing it!;)

wegle

It's a great idea setting up the standing orders for the big expenses that roll around. We do the same and it's so nice come tax/mot time not to be panicking or living like paupers for that month just to afford it!

Mizen79

wegle wrote: »

It's a great idea setting up the standing orders for the big expenses that roll around. We do the same and it's so nice come tax/mot time not to be panicking or living like paupers for that month just to afford it!

Yes I agree- I am not putting much away for them, but more than enough for Tax/MOT, and a little for repairs!

As they are both coming up very soon, I have kept the full amounts in the bank for this time only, but will be saving for them for next year (monthly).

Mizen79

Good morning "Diary",

With all my budgeting, I did not budget for "other" for this month, which will normally be £75. The reason for this is we had a night out last weekend (a big 'blow-out' before starting the budget).

But we have now been asked to go for a meal for FIL's retirement today, which is of course not in our budget!

However, my wife had paid for £20 of DD's school dinners out of her own cash pot (casual work), so we have agreed that she will not "be paid back" for that. Anything over the £20 will come out of the shopping budget for the month.

Normally we should say no to this kind of thing, & will normally do so- but this is a huge deal for them as his retirement was pretty much forced up on him only a couple of weeks ago.

The main thing is- I am ACCOUNTING for this meal i.e. we know where the money is coming from- up until last week, when we were there, my wife would have asked me "how do I pay", and my response would have been "Credit Card".....Not today! And the bank balance will not be affected, as whatever we spend on this meal WON'T be spent elsewhere!

beanielou

Wishing you well on your journey.

chevalier

Now your little one is at school, can OH get more regular work to stop her being bored and to help the family pot?
Well done on having the plan, I think generally it is very sensible.
chev

Teacher2

Good luck with your debt. You say that you have 'given in' to spending before when you had vowed not to and that this has triggered a binge when you gave up trying to save. The fact that you have identified this as a problem is a huge help in trying to overcome it. It is like when dieters break their diet they then give in and binge or when smokers trying to give up have one cigarette they think they are now smokers again. One slip does NOT mean perpetual backsliding. In fact, research shows that smokers who successfully give up have had several goes at it. Just 'renew your vows' and get back to the straight and narrow. You have useful experience now and have gained much self knowledge. I think you will be able to succeed.

skintscot

I was where you are many years ago and the feeling of freedom when you're debt free is amazing. No more constant worry about how to pay for the things you need because you've racked up debt on things you thought you wanted at the time.

Watch out for Xmas though! I used to spend far more than I could afford on Xmas dos and presents because I was too proud to admit I couldn't afford it. No more, yes to cheap Xmas get-togethers with real friends, no to £60 and up dinners with work colleagues and various clubs. It's not like I don't see these people at other times.

I've also cut the number of people I buy gifts for right down. Well off friends weren't bothered, as they said "If I want a book.cd/dvd etc I'll just buy myself it, it's daft for you to be buying me stuff if money is tight". Not so well off friends were relieved I'd raised the subject as less gifts to buy would be a blessing for them but they hadn't wanted to seem mean.

This site is full of cheap Xmas ideas, the people I do still buy for appreciate the thought I put into their gifts and everyone loves the things I've made for them. In fact this year I've had several requests from people to make them things.

Don't keep up with the Joneses at Xmas!