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

Domayne

We sound very similar - I'm also not debt busting the conventional way xD I find a lot of people like to be too strict with themselves on here and I'm trying as hard as I can to cut down on things that are wasteful while still doing things that make me happy...unfortunately, they do cost but cancelling sky, cancelling all subscriptions, selling everything you own is terrible advice imo and rather depressing so I won't tell you anything like that, I'm also not the best for advice anyway
I also started learning to drive last year while I was in debt...(don't laugh) but it took me 7 attempts to pass and I finally did this September! :j but in the end I spent something like 2k on lessons/tests/books etc and...I don't even plan to get a car! I just wanted a license because my provisional was about to run out! :rotfl: I did check on moneysupermarket for insurance quotes though and the cheapest I could find was 2400 for third party, theft and fire!!! I think that's most likely because I live in a dodge area and being a first time driver, plus I work in west London where parking is a nightmare and congestion charge so not worth it to get a car right now, but it's nice having a license just in case...so I will tell you to do it if that's what you want to do!
I think I might hold off on getting a new cc...Last month I did do a balance transfer from my virgin credit card, then cancelled it and cut up the card...but what I did was just stupid, I transferred to a card I already had with halifax (cut up that card early this year when I finished paying it off!) but it's not 0% so I basically just moved my debt and added to it by getting the transfer fee :wall: so I don't want to transfer it again at risk of making my credit score worse than it is (375 with equifax) and if I have a card again, maybe I'll be tempted to spend on it? I might just do the sensible thing and save this year and pay cash for a yearly travelcard in 2015 :rotfl:

Non_compos_mentis

I know what you mean. People on here have good intentions but sometimes the path to hell can be paved with good intentions.
I am hoping the changes I make now will sustain me for life rather than a 6 - 12 months fix cause I will just keep coming back here, which I don't want to do.
My biggest regret is not learning to drive sooner! Just having a licence would have given me so much more freedom (even if I didn't get a car) and potentially lowered my insurance costs!
Virgin are/were good at giving 0% offers after you clear the card. Plus they offered a money transfer as well as a balance transfer so it might be worth exploring?
Have you considered whether your employer offers a free season ticket loan?

Non_compos_mentis

I am itching to make a payment to the loan just to strike it off but that would be really stupid cause 1) it will not make any difference whether I pay it off today or let it be paid off when its due 2) most importantly, I haven't got the money per se.

Domayne

Have you figured out things that are working for you yet on your debt busting mission? So far, I've figured out I need to spend less time on my game so I don't spend as much there (the reason why I'm in debt - games! LOL) so I've subscribed to lovefilm and netflix which are keeping me busy! and spending more time on here - which is free! bringing lunch from home instead of buying it and cutting down my diet coke at work to drinking water with fruit juice, I only drink diet coke at home now...they don't sound like big changes but they are saving me alot!! Though...it's only month one I plan to stay here though once I become debt free as I'm finiding it does keep me focused...just hopefully with a saving diary, rather than a debt one! I wish I'd started when I was younger as well, but I never really wanted to drive...I always figured public transport was easier (and cheaper) but it does give you a lot more freedom...and job options later if that's what you want! Have you booked any lessons yet or looked into it?
My employers wouldn't give me anything - I work for an agency and they're not really known for their company perks I get a travel/dry cleaning allowance which is a grand total of...£2.50 a WEEK!! Where can you travel and get dry cleaning for £2.50 a week?! :rotfl:
I might look at re-claiming PPI on my halifax card...I've had the card since 2005 and been paying PPI since but I don't have any of the documents from when I got it/don't even remember taking it out so I'm not sure how to go about it tbh...

Non_compos_mentis

The reasons for my debt is a rather long story but I have taken steps to address the issue. I have also set myself a budget which I think is reasonably realistic and won't make me snap and go, f it, I can't be bothered with this any more.

The approach I am taking with my spending money is that I don't care where I spend it so long as I don't exceed my budget. I personally think that is an approach that is most likely to work with me rather than defining the spending to the absolute minute detail - I am a big picture guy!

I know what you mean about living in London and being spoilt by public transport particularly cause you have to pay for it to commute to work anyway. Driving, even though it is an essential life skill, drops down to the bottom of the priority list.

I have not booked anything but I think I know who I am going to go with and how I am going to tackle it. I think! I order the books needed for the theory and will get down to booking the lessons in the new year.

£2.50pw? Its a bit like some employers providing "luncheon vouchers" for 10p per day - it probably cost more to print and administer the vouchers!

PPI - you can do a SARs request and get them to send you all the paper work. I believe it is the first step if you don't have any paperwork and costs about £10. I think if you post a new thread on the DFW / Credit card section then people might be able to help you better.

Domayne

That's kinda how I see it as well...as long as I don't go over budget, does it matter WHAT I buy?? Then the weeks I have no money, I can just live off of water, air and cereal :rotfl:
Thanks for that tip! I will do a SAR's request (After I find out how ) but do you think making a claim will affect my other accounts with halifax since I have...well, ALL of my accounts with them? I've been with them forever as well and always had a good service/experience and don't really want to change...Although I know I shouldn't be putting all of my eggs into one basket

Non_compos_mentis

I am probably going to get kicked off this forum for having such a cavalier approach to debt busting and money. LOL!

I genuinely don't know whether it has any impact, I wouldn't presume it does but then again I know nothing about PPI. Despite my debts, I wasn't really affected by it. Sorry.

Domayne

Your intentions are in the right place so I doubt you'll get kicked off the forums :P
Although you might get people come along and give you advice to cut out this and that which is nice...but after you've stated some things a few times and people haven't read through, It does becoming annoying to keep getting the same advice over and over, then you will feel guilt because you don't take it

Domayne

At least that's how I feel anyway...but for someone who isn't catholic, I experience high levels of guilt everyday

Non_compos_mentis

Well you can always seek to do a confession, it is good for the soul! :-P

I have been agonising all morning about trying to balance living, driving lessons, gym and personal training! I had a health assessment recently and got told that whilst I am healthy for now, I am at high risk for all sorts or coronary diseases so should get rid of some fat. Be good to have freaking 6 packs (I can day dream), which I will particularly need if I have to find a new girl - don't think looking like a middle aged man with a spare tyre is going to help my case!

Why do I need a personal trainer? Well, I am one of those people who starts things and gets bored extremely easily. Started running (ran only a couple of times) and now have totally given it up. Hence why I need a personal trainer!! Argh! My spending money just won't stretch!! I have a surplus but I want to be debt free in 23 months!

Anyone know of a decent personal trainer in London who doesn't charge a fortune?