misstara's debt diary 2014

misstara

I got back earlier this evening from a fantastic (although unfortunately rather wet) weekend away. I came back with 10.00 in my purse - was hoping to spend less but glad I came home with some money left over.

Although I had a great weekend and I'm so glad I went, it has made me realise how much I need to buckle down and really focus on getting the debt paid off.

One of the girls made a suggestion about possibly going away later on in the year to celebrate the fact that we all turn 30 this year and I know I cannot afford to go away again this year other than what I have already got planned.

A few of my friends know that I am in debt but only my OH knows exactly how much and most of my friends have no idea at all. I hate saying sorry I can't afford it (probably a big part of how I got into so much debt in the first place) but I'm just going to have to start doing that more.

So plan for tomorrow is to have a good look through freezer, fridge and cupboards to make a meal plan for the week which doesn't involve spending a lot of money.

FinanciallyUnsavvy

Hey hun

I'm glad you had a great weekend away!

It is really hard saying no to friends - it always feels like everyone else has more money than you do, doesn't it?! I bet your close friends would understand though - you may find they are in similar positions or at least know how you feel! But you just have to not worry about letting people down - you know why you're having to do this, and you know it'll be worth it in the long run. You'll get there!

xx

ani*fan

Hi there Misstara :wave:

I've just read your diary and wanted to say that your progress is truly inspiring. You're doing so well! And you're so good at keeping track of all those daily spends.

You OH sounds very supportive and full of good helpful ideas. What a blessing!

After reading about your experience at the hairdresser's college, I've checked out my local one and realised I can get a hair cut for £6. Bargain. I'm going to give it a try.

Just wanted to say keep on going, and keep posting, you're doing brilliantly.

misstara

FinanciallyUnsavvy wrote: »

Hey hun

I'm glad you had a great weekend away!

It is really hard saying no to friends - it always feels like everyone else has more money than you do, doesn't it?! I bet your close friends would understand though - you may find they are in similar positions or at least know how you feel! But you just have to not worry about letting people down - you know why you're having to do this, and you know it'll be worth it in the long run. You'll get there!

xx

Hi Kim, I have some friends who don't know about the debt but I feel I can easily say to them 'I'm a bit skint this month' as I know they don't have a great deal of money either but the particular group of friends I was away with, I don't like doing this as they all have well paid jobs and seem to have a lot of money (of course they also might be hiding a lot of debt - I guess you never know). However, you're right, it will be worth it in long run

ani*fan wrote: »

Hi there Misstara :wave:

I've just read your diary and wanted to say that your progress is truly inspiring. You're doing so well! And you're so good at keeping track of all those daily spends.

You OH sounds very supportive and full of good helpful ideas. What a blessing!

After reading about your experience at the hairdresser's college, I've checked out my local one and realised I can get a hair cut for £6. Bargain. I'm going to give it a try.

Just wanted to say keep on going, and keep posting, you're doing brilliantly.

Thanks for your post ani*fan. I find posting daily spends on here keeps me focused as I know I have to confess any 'stupid' spends I make.

Still loving my haircut, it was such a bargain and I would definitely go back. It did take a bit longer than usual but for 6.00 you definitely can't go wrong!

misstara

Not really posted much over last of couple of days. So spends for Monday were 9.99 Lovefilm direct debit, I had to pay 15.00 for my SSSC registration and I also spent 3.30 on milk and breakfast biscuits. Yesterday I bought a sandwich for lunch (1.05) and lightbulbs for the living room (4.50).

I'm heading out to see my gran this morning and then going to visit a friend in the afternoon so will need 4.00 for bus fare. I'm also going to the dentist this morning but hoping I won't need any treatment as I don't actually have any money to pay for it

I caught up with all my washing and ironing from the weekend last night. I also went to a gym class last night so by 9.30 I was feeling exhausted and went to bed. I really enjoyed the gym class though so have booked myself on some more later on in the week.

misstara

Have been to the dentist and I need one filling which will cost £90. Luckily my dentist is off on holiday for the next 2 weeks so my appointment is not until the end of the month giving me plenty of time to save up the money.

I had to buy more bulbs today as the bathroom light went this morning and of course its not the same fitting as the ones I bought yesterday so £3 spent. I also spent 33p on some painkillers and made a £3.63 payment to cc1.

I got a pleasant surprise when I got on the bus - day tickets are now £3.80 so 20p saved

misstara

I ended up going out for lunch with my gran and my friend made my tea so a free food day I have been hobbling about all day though - I think I overdid it at the gym yesterday, am booked in for another class tomorrow but will see how I feel.

I got my payslip from 2nd job and started stressing out as I will only get £26.77. I knew it was going to be low as I only did 1 very short shift last week but I guess I was hoping it would somehow magically be more.

I need to pay for the broadband which is £15.99 leaving £10 for the rest of the week. I really need to get some food in as we've been mostly eating out of the cupboards this week and they're beginning to look a bit bare.

However, I remembered that I have a £25 M&S voucher which I was saving towards a dress for the wedding later on in the year so am going to use some of it to buy some food. The wedding is 4 and a half months away so I can make the money back up.

ani*fan

misstara wrote: »

Have been to the dentist and I need one filling which will cost £90. Luckily my dentist is off on holiday for the next 2 weeks so my appointment is not until the end of the month giving me plenty of time to save up the money.

£90 for a filling? That's expensive, do you have NHS dentists where you live? Mine charges about £10.


Hope your tooth's not hurting.

misstara

ani*fan wrote: »

£90 for a filling? That's expensive, do you have NHS dentists where you live? Mine charges about £10.


Hope your tooth's not hurting.

Nah it doesn't hurt thankfully. My dentist is a NHS one and I think it is around £18 for a filling. However I'm being very vain and I want a white filling which costs (a lot) more. Since its going to be there for a long time, I'd rather pay the extra and be happy with the results. OH thinks that I'm wasting money as no-one will notice either way but I will know

ani*fan

misstara wrote: »

Nah it doesn't hurt thankfully. My dentist is a NHS one and I think it is around £18 for a filling. However I'm being very vain and I want a white filling which costs (a lot) more. Since its going to be there for a long time, I'd rather pay the extra and be happy with the results. OH thinks that I'm wasting money as no-one will notice either way but I will know

Ah, got it, I've pondered doing the same myself but was told to wait until my fillings needed replacing. White fillings look so much nicer. Worth every penny!!