"The best way to get something done is to begin"

Non_compos_mentis

For someone who is totally convinced that you will be dead by the time you are 50, you are doing everything you can to sort out your finances by paying down debt and having a saving plan - if you ask me, these are not signs of someone who only thinks that they have no more than c20 years to live!

Domayne

My main worry is that my mum and dad won't last longer than 10 years...and if they died tomorrow id be completely screwed so I need to do something. ..
ever hear that saying 'even if I knew tomorrow the world would end, I'd still plant my apple tree'?
I'm more worried about leaving things behind for my sister/niece/god daughter than I am for doing it to live for 30+ years

Non_compos_mentis

I nearly forgot I have set myself a challenge of at least paying £20,140 in 2014 (this is my worst case scenario)! However, the main target and the most important target is paying off ALL my debts in 2014 (my best case scenario)! 1 month in, how far along am I?

I started 2014 with £33,286 of debt and the current balance is £30,438, that is £2,848 paid off!

Best case scenario - I have paid off 8.6%. At this rate I will be able to pay off all my debts!

Worst case scenario - I have paid off 14.1%.

I must confess that the £2,848 includes £1k from my emergency cash pile. I have totally burnt off my emergency cash! So the paid off numbers should actually be 5.6% (will end up having paid off c66.6%) and 9.2%. :mad:

Discipline, discipline, discipline! That is what I need!

Non_compos_mentis

I guess that is the beauty about savings - it can help you in the long term or you can leave it behind for loved ones! Debts on the other hand, well that's another matter altogether!

Non_compos_mentis

4 weeks to payday! Thought I would set myself a target up front so I can measure myself and hold myself responsible at the end of the month. So, the target for the month is to reduce debt by £2k.

Non_compos_mentis

What a start to Feb! Still finding myself wishing my life away - 26 days to payday!

How's it all going for everyone?

catriona79

Hi NCM,

I think you are doing v well with your focus on debt. I can't do what you are doing long term - I do it for a bit and then trip up. That's why I said I'm going to try and tackle the debts slowly! While still having fun.
What has worked for you better in the past?
I think you know yourself best. Just remember to be kind to yourself.

I've been better thanks. I've had my dismissal meeting now (eek) sound horrible I know, but i haven't done anything naughty!

Last date is Friday 28 March, and then I will be off to see my friend in Oz for a few weeks. Can't wait. Just planning it this minute

I've also got an interview this Friday, it's in the Midlands, not London, but I am looking at London as well.
The only thing that worries me is whether I will be unhappy renting a room after buying and doing up my house, having lots of space an a nice decor... But you can't have everything! We will see where life throws me! I will go to London for a really exciting job.

I had better not count days till payday, as it's a whole lot!!! I love the moment when my pay comes in, but I just siphon it off instantly to my savings accounts, so very soon there's v little there. I guess if I could have it sitting in my current account, then I wouldn't be in this pickle!

Non_compos_mentis

Hi Catriona,

Thank you so much for the kind words.

I know exactly what you mean about having little bursts and then falling off the wagon when you are too strict. I am exactly the same. Ironically, I have managed to save/repay more when I have not been focused on money... I am like a total rebel - no means yes and yes means no!!

I am hoping by setting targets upfront and declaring them, I will have no choice but to try and meet them/come very close to them. On the flip slide, it could all go horribly wrong and I just go AWOL out of shame - hope that won't happen.

I know what you mean about the meeting. It must be hard but you took VR for a reason, just focus on that reason when you are feeling down.

Oz sounds fantastic! I want to visit Oz someday!

Moving from your own place to a houseshare can be difficult but it could also be a great opportunity to a) meet new people and b) save money.

Good luck with the interview( s ) and your London hunt.

NCM

Non_compos_mentis

Argh! Feb is going from bad to worse, 5 days in and I have spent £155!! Whilst the figure includes costs of swimming lessons, the spending excluding the lessons is still far too high - £87! That is £19.40 per day, that's nearly double the maximum I want to be spending!!

The biggest offending item in my list is cabs! It is like I have decided to single handedly keep my local cab company in business!

Full breakdown
Swim lessons: £68
Cabs: £40
Dining out: £25
Drinking: £17
Miscellaneous (snacks, Euromillions etc): £5

At this rate I might not even repay £1k let alone repay £2k!!!

catriona79

Non_compos_mentis wrote: »

Argh! Feb is going from bad to worse, 5 days in and I have spent £155!! Whilst the figure includes costs of swimming lessons, the spending excluding the lessons is still far too high - £87! That is £19.40 per day, that's nearly double the maximum I want to be spending!!

The biggest offending item in my list is cabs! It is like I have decided to single handedly keep my local cab company in business!

Full breakdown
Swim lessons: £68
Cabs: £40
Dining out: £25
Drinking: £17
Miscellaneous (snacks, Euromillions etc): £5

At this rate I might not even repay £1k let alone repay £2k!!!

Hello

Is your cab spending high because of the tube strike?
If so, then don't beat yourself up about it...

You do need a bit of a social life, you've had a breakup recently, and need time to adjust to spending time by yourself.

You know, I went through my Microsoft Money files from Dec and Jan and I'm positively appalled about the amounts I spent on clothes etc. ridiculous. But let's learn from it, without it bringing us down! Keep positive. Think of a plan. Relax your budget a bit perhaps?

How are you other than worried about money?