£2000 and 2 stone loss in a year!! Wow what a challenge!

Bohochange13

- 2 stone to loose
- £2000 debt to clear

BY NEXT YEAR - 3rd November 2014!!!!

Starting off fresh, waking up this morning after discovering catch up tv on the internet and watching superscrimpers, I have decided that I need to be strong, be focused and be disciplined! Something which I haven't been!!

I did start a diary but to be honest it just wasn't a kick up the back side which is what I need! A good kick up backside!

Just some background - long story short - Mum of 1 - with a OH who is also in debt but doesn't believe in talking to strangers - our finances are separate, both have debt, both have our own bank accounts and share bills in line with our earnings. He earns more therefore pays more!

I work part time but am always looking to earn extra, save where I can but generally spend spend spend - mostly in poundshops! Terrible addiction to them!!

I have around £8000 debt which consists of a loan, credit cards, pay day loans, pawned jewellery and credit union loan! All which I am ashamed about, discusted with myself and want to get myself out of it. I am not in debt with utilities just all unsecured horrible fowl debt!! Dirty debt!!!

So why have I decided on 2 stone and £2000 loss by next November? I needed to be realistic and have a goal! I need to set myself a target, ok the £2000 is only a 1/4 of the total debt but in my current situation I feel that it's a challenge in its self and a great place to start!! I'm overweight and could do with loosing over 3 stone but thought the 2 2's would be a good round number !!

I'm on a DMP so I already am paying reduced amounts but will be able to make additional payments which are shared out equally then I can concentrate on clearing the pawned items and the credit union.

So now it's all about ways of reducing bills, reducing food spend, reducing clothes, entertainment and general overspending in poundshops.

Here's to the new diary and to the next year of my life! It's going to be a challenge but I am prepared for the long haul!!!! X

Bohochange13

We all need to start somewhere, so all morning I have been racking my brains as to what I need to do to sort this mess out. And here is my list:

* weight watchers - I currently go every Monday evening as a monthly member, sets me back £21.45 a month! I need to go as I just can't diet, don't have the willpower to do it alone and need to be able to eat what I want within reason! So my plan is to research if there's anyway of working for them helping out to get the fees waived?

* credit file - request credit files from all 3 agencies so I can look at my credit files and check everything is how it should be, cancel anything unused, correct any errors, etc. I know that it's going to cost £6 but I feel it could be £6 well worth it!

* budget plan - rewrite a budget plan, allowing for everything! EVERYTHING!

* meal plans - look into meal planning for breakfast lunch and dinner, bulk cooking and investing in a slow cooker not only for bulk cooking but also reduce gas bills!

* per prepare a shopping list / itinery for meal plans as well as store cupboard bits - so I always know what I've got / what I need and follow it! Include shops I use and previous prices allowing for some give, then I can really budget!

* utilities - look into reducing all of those I can by haggling, looking into cheaper options, price comparisons, etc

* ebay to declutter and try to make some money! - something I need to look into again as I have never been a whizz with the internet! I have enough junk in this house to keep me busy!

* update my signature on here to reflect my weight loss challenge, as well as extra monies made and change that amount continuously as I make it but pay it out straight away to those dirty debts!

* update my diary as I achieve things! My new best friend!

* look into ways of recycling things / cheaper options instead of always opting for convenience!

* wrap up warm, use candles and be positive about the smaller things in life! It's not all about central heating and spotlights!

Bohochange13

Signature - updated to reflect challenge!

Done some research into eBay selling and got a couple of bags of things ready to list!

And I'm wearing my jumper with pride - here's to saving where I can!!

beanielou

Looks like you are off to a cracking start
Keep posting!

Bohochange13

Good morning Monday, your here and it's the start of my first week on my new challenge!!! The journey of a boho lover who is changing so many things to work towards weight loss and most importantly to be debt free!!!!

So as it's miserable outside and cold so am going to spend day in, being productive! I have got a load of washing in on 30 degrees!

About to get the bags down to start listing on ebay, wish me luck!

And let's see what else I can do or find which will help towards my debt free journey.....

Bohochange13

Well still listing, never realised how long listing on ebay takes, I've still got so much more to go but think I need a break from it!

Been thinking - I spend £20 every 3 weeks on my nails - yes I didn't think of it when putting my ideas on here! Anyway my nails are my pride, it's acrylic over my own and I always have them painted but £20 every 3 weeks - imagine what I can do with that, time to look into cheaper alternatives. Must save the money.

Also I have discovered quidco! Why have I never looked into this before. You can get paid for checking into shops as well as earning for buying!

Time to continue!!

hummingbird

Hi Boho - just checking in to wish you well! You're doing great already!! :T

beckylegs81

Hi ya

Good luck ... Looks like you have started well...
If you are on facebook look at local selling pages as an alternative..
xx

Bohochange13

hummingbird wrote: »

Hi Boho - just checking in to wish you well! You're doing great already!! :T

Thank you and welcome! I know it's going to be hard work but I have found a couple of great threads already and am very positive about my journey and the challenge, it's all for our future.

Bohochange13

beckylegs81 wrote: »

Hi ya

Good luck ... Looks like you have started well...
If you are on facebook look at local selling pages as an alternative..
xx

Hi ya and welcome. Thank you, I am on Facebook but to be honest am not very good with the internet so have never really ventured very on there, will have to have a look into this. Thank you

Bohochange13

So, all meals from stores, no fizzy drinks today (this is a daily addiction of mine which costs at least £1 a day minimum), no spend day, and already have a bid on an item and lots of watchers!! Boho happy!!

I have been thinking, with regards to the nails, I am going to look into how to do them myself, it's something I have been doing for so long, but need to find a cheaper alternative. I am going to pamper myself in a moment so whilst in the bath, on the table next to me I am going to research a cheaper way to my nails! I want them to be pretty but at that cost I can use the money wisely.

Researched a slow cooker and decided on one, so hopefully tomorrow I will pick it up. It's a 6.5l for 19.99, I think I have some nectar card points so think will put those towards that too. How exciting, then Wednesday I can start batch cooking as well as preparing yummy meals for all of us. Need recipe ideas though which will be a task in its self. Bring it on!!

I found some empty boxes in a cupboard, so dug them out to use to put listed items for ebay in so am organised and can store and access easy. I'm liking this new organised route I am taking.

I have ordered some information about a water meter today, will receive through post in next few days. At the moment I pay £66 a month on the water and frankly this is ridiculous, they have estimated what an average household use and the average is £63 a month but we are not wasteful with water at all baths are not a regular thing and don't run the washing machine unless it's full so it's worth a bit of research.

Well off for a bit of pampering :T