Next April I will be pleased I started today!

Just_Do_It

Hi everyone,

I've been reading everyone else's diaries for a while and decided its about time I started my own as I could do with some motivation and support along the way, and there is no better place than here for that. I am the Queen of Procrastination and am very good at thinking about things but not actually doing them.

I'm single, with two DD's and work full time but it is quite likely that I will be made redundant from my current job at the end of March next year. I really feel that I need to prepare for this as much as possible, get organised and try to clear the debt which is slowly building up, its around £8,000 but I have not sat down yet and calculated this exactly.

I have 152 days until the end of March 2014. The first thing I need to do is work out a realistic budget and try and cut back on anything I can within reason and then work out a payment plan in respect of the debts.

I also need to get my house organised and hopefully decorate before Christmas and manage to get through Christmas as cheaply as possible.

I also need to look at other ways to get some more cash coming in, I've started doing swagbucks and a few surveys but I do find them incredibly boring. I've joined the make £10 a day challenge but on the first day I have managed 1p so I think Im going to have to put a bit more of and effort into that :think:

So to turn things around, instead of just thinking about everything, Im going to have to tell myself to "Just Do It" and hoepfully by next April, I will be in a much better position and pleased I actually started this diary today

Pippilongstocking

Good luck with it all.

I'm leaving mine in May next year so whilst in different circumstances I'm also gearing up for a change too and I really need to prepare for it too.

How old are your lasses?

Happy new diary.

beanielou

Yes, next April you will be pleased

abbylou

Good luck and keep thinking of April - it really isn't that far away!

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Yep good for you for planning now x

Just_Do_It

Thanks everyone

Pippilongstocking - my daughters are 15 and 18, both got part time jobs but still very financially dependant on me, as Im sure all kids are really.

I've had a bit of a slow start this weekend, but have sent off a box of old books and dvds to Zapper for £10.26 and signed up to the sun offer for £1.00 to get a £10 Morrisons voucher.

Have a few things finishing on ebay tonight so will see how they go, might bit a bit more to add to the pot.

I don't get paid for 3 weeks and I'm very very skint!

Jonesy88

Good luck!

I'm hoping to pay off all my debts by my birthday (April) next year so fingers crossed we can both do it!

Just_Do_It

Good Luck to you too Jonesy, how are you going about clearing your debts?

I feel like I haven't got off the starting blocks yet.

I have has two sales on ebay tonight, with approx £6.00 after postage and fees.

From tomorrow I am going to start a spending diary, not that I've got much to actually spend at the minute, but my money just seems to disappear. I think one of the main areas where I need to cut costs are on food, I spend a lot on lunches and drinks at work. I'm hoping if I get myself a bit more organised and take lunches to work I will save a fair bit of money. This evening I have prepared lunch to take to work for tomorrow and also got soup prepared to go in the slow cooker for tea when I get in.

Jonesy88

I have a spreadsheet which shows all my income and expenditure - i've built in strict but affordable repayments and worked out from that when things will be paid off.

I keep my interest up by taking part in challenges - eg the weekly spending challenge where i try to spend less than £10 a week on misc/unbudgeted things. Its really good for highlighting just how much you actually spend. The NSK challenges are all good to keep up the discipline. I also recommend making a signature with your goals/amounts on etc - it really is motivating!

I also a bug quidc0 and e3ay fan!