taking charge of my debt in 2014

pennypinchingpenguin

Hi all,
lurked for years and thought about time to commit to busting my debt.

Im great at bargain hunting but my ccs seem to go up and down. So I want to start this year with the determination to make a huge dent in my debt.

so today I shopped in Tesco. I bought myself a small slip in photo album for keeping my vouchers in. They always get crumpled or lost so I can keep them altogether now. I use my clubcard points for the Christmas club where with double up we usually are covered for the kids presents. This year I had £110 due to the fact I had forgotten some I hadn't spent last year. The vouchers I get now are more personalised so only a few things I wouldn't really buy. But also more aware that Tesco bargains are not always what they seem!

Had to get sugar, 94p for 1kg but 89p for 500g!!!
Also got 12 pints of milk for £3 (normally buy from farmfoods but I think u can freeze milk right?)
Also got 24 cans diet coke for £5. Says saved £4.99 but I think they are usually around £8 so I doubt it.
Anyway have a bunch of vouchers for when things are a bit tight at the end of the month.

I managed to get 2 x 85 wash fabric softner for £8 the other week saving £5 and they will last us for about three or four months.

I already use the money tins u have to cut open - a giant one for change we will keep going until full. I bought another one today for starting a new £2 coin collection. We had £186 in it in six months this year. The plan is to cover next Christmas.

I also emailed British gas about my bill. I changed to eon three months ago but bg have not closed my account. I have provided them with my close date but they need my serial number and meter point reference number. I cant get either as it is an old style meter and there are no numbers on it. The information they have they say is for the flat below me. I can't seem to convince them otherwise and instead of just sending someone out or correcting the mistake they told me to contact if they can help. Puzzled as I thought I was doing that. So not only are they charging me £126 instead of whatever my final bill should be, I also have possibly been paying the incorrect charges. Eon just tell me not to worry about it as they did everything right. Easy to say when its not your credit rating!:mad:

I banked a cheque for £18 from a refund from orange and I plan to switch my bank to first direct but although they should do it within 7 days I am so anxious about them messing up that I am going to wait until the 8th as I wont have anything out then until 17th. When the £100 is paid it will go straight off my card. I will also cancel the overdraft. I don't like them but i think It would safeguard any problems if my payments are messed up.

I got a few pounds for xmas and decided I would treat myself. I got a sjp nyc perfume set new and sealed for £5 from cancer research. So weird cos I had been looking for it on eBay. Would have stuck it on there but it doesn't really sell. I also got a top and some fur lined ugg type slippers in the sale in m&s. Great for when it gets really cold.

My bf was given a £20 gift card for m&s but bought 3 pack of boxers which were £12 on sale!!! There is £8 left but I will either use for a birthday gift for my best friend in January or may use the idea of topping it up towards gifts (has anyone done this?)

I bought my mum a Samsung galaxy tab from cpw on xmas night. Her pc is broken and I thought good birthday gift. Its in may but I told her she would have it very early and just lunch in may lol. The cost is split between 4 of us so owed £60 which will go on my card. I also got one for my sister (twin) so she will owe me £59 and the other £20 will be my birthday gift to her. For my birthday I will just ask for vouchers for my hairdressers. My dads birthday is also January but I got him an afternoon tea for two at a posh hotel for Christmas -£45 so thats his birthday too! So don't have any birthdays to worry about until end of may.

Im giving up wasting money on magazines, I dont socialise much but I go to the gym. I will be starting a 6 month fitness programme my bf is arranging so should save money on alcohol and munchies etc. Will be meal planning and bulk cooking also so same applies.

Im looking forward to this challenge. Even writing down has been therapeutic!:T

pennypinchingpenguin

11 days into the year staying positive!

Bank is due to switch on friday. same day my refund from eon should clear eep! Hope it goes ok.

Had three no spend days so far. Easier on work days.

shopping today. Spent £15 on a top, belt and 4 pairs of slipper socks. Immediately annoyed with myself but needed a new belt, am currently wearing 5 layers of tops to work so fast running out of long sleeved tops. Emptied my wardrobe of a bag full of stuff for the charity shop when I got home. At least I stuck to my sale items only rule.

Used several clubcard vouchers for discounts, got a few bargains too. Tesco had tunnocks tea cakes (Scottish brand) mugs and tea towels reduced so got one of each for £3 total. This will cover a birthday gift for my auntie who lives abroad. Also Cadbury chocolate finger van for £2 which will cover my dads birthday seeing as he got his present at Christmas.

also got three giant mugs in wilkos for £1 each. Were £5 or £6. Bf likes to eat lots of soup and these are perfect.

Will try to survive on just this shop with the exception of bread and milk.

Am yet to make my first cc payment of the year but think I am paid on 27th so will hopefully manage £200 again. Feb and march free council tax months so thats an extra £200 too meaning in the first three months I should be able to pay £800! Wow, goal set!

Still owed from others for mums present. Can count on at least one to remember. Hope I dont have to ask. Have decided in advance though not to get stressed about it. Im the one that usually always sorts stuff out for them and this year I realised its not really appreciated for what it is. I like to be organised and they sre all last minute. But I feel maybe its perceived as controlling rather than being helpful. Might be wrong but got very stressed out this year never getting replies. And also organising secret santa that everyone agreed to, advising most people what to get when they were stuck and for the second year in a row be asked what I wanted two days before xmas. Im not a brat, I dont care what I get but its no fun when everyone else is opening well thought gifts and u already know. It just feels like no one can be bothered making an effort to pick something they know you will like.

Anyway with limited choice I was proud of myself for picking gym clothes instead of a litre of smirnoff and chocolate lol.

Will try and accept others may not be the same as me but if I pay off my debt I can buy what I want!