Mind change to debt thanks to MSE forums!

sassychick2014

Morning all

Well, today has been a good day - I think. Littley virtually begged for us to walk to school which is amazing as she does like going by car. However she explained it was nice to be able to talk with Mummy before the day begins so that was a great start to the day - and another 45p for the pot!

I then had to take my car into be repaired - again. OMG I'm not even going to go into the details of what's been wrong with my car but put it like this. In the 12 months I've had it it's spent 3 separate occasions at the garage (this will be the 4th) which amounts to around 4 months!! I kid you not. I've been to the end of my tether and back so today myself and my bestie went in and demanded they give me a new car as I've had enough. Needless to say, 2 PMT fed-up women saying in no uncertain terms what I would like the salesman to do with the car (unfortunately in front of him!!) had the desired affect. I am now in the middle of buying a new car which although is slightly more money is 55% cheaper on road tax. Does nearly twice as many miles to the gallon & the insurance will drop too. I've worked out the figures & with fuel guestimates I will be around £30 a month better off with a newer, nicer car that (hopefully) works. Yay me!

I now have to try and get my backside in gear and do some actual work to pay for it though so this is just a quickie. Oh! Not having a car today means we will also be walking home so that's another 45p.

Have a good day everyone x

RainbowBridgeReturns

One woman with PMT can put the fear of God into any man, but two of you !!! I like your style. There is no stopping Sassie. x

FinanciallyUnsavvy

Hey hun,

Just catching up with the last few days. Very glad to hear littley is feeling better now- that must be a relief to you. Especially since you can get back to walking to school and build those 45p's back up! And how lovely of her to say she enjoys walking so she can talk to you. What an absolute darling she sounds like!

Nice work on the new car! Hopefully that works out much better than the current one.

Keep up the good work! I think you need to share some pics with us of this new magazine rack and tables of yours!

xx

sassychick2014

Hi all

Not much to say. Didn't get paid today (boo!) but did buy a car today - yay!! It's the one I was hoping to get and it's lush and it doesn't rattle and it doesn't sound like the exhaust has a hole in it and it's cheaper to run and I could go on and on but I'm running out of breath but needless to say I'm mega chuffed - breeeeaaathe!!!

On another positive note. Not sure if I put on here about considering a new washing machine as cycle takes 1hr20m and a new one would work out cheaper in the long term if you take into account water/leccy/time etc. Think I did as sure someone helped talk me out of getting one.

Anyway, the cycle finished recently and I was near it so waited for the door lock to go so I could take out the washing and found myself reading the programs. I HAVE A MINIPROGRAM!!!!!! OMG I can't believe that after having the machine for 7 years I've just found out that I have a miniprogram that washes the clothes just as well and takes 25 minutes - I kid you not! I'm such a doofus at times it's unreal! Last Friday I did all my washing in the time it takes to usually do one load - I didn't know what to do with myself! lol I'm really looking forward to the next water bill as sure that's where most of it goes so it should be a lot cheaper now.

So, I'm now off as heaps to do and places to go. Have a good weekend everyone xx

sassychick2014

It really is a good day, just got off here and found I've just been paid! Sooooo chuffed xx

sassychick2014

Bl*dy hell this day just keeps getting better. Just opened post to find a product that I said I'd test which is great as I'd just run out of it anyway. And the other letter was from my old mobile phone people who after saying I owed nearly £30 & me saying no have just sent me a cheque for £3.45 that they actually owe me! I know it's not a lot but hey, it's £3.45 more than I had before plus the £30 I now don't have to pay!

*skips away singing Bring Me Sunshine*

FinanciallyUnsavvy

So glad to hear you're having such a great day! You deserve it Send some of your good fortune over this way!

The quick wash setting on washing machines is a lifesaver isn't it? I find it's not much good for anything that's stained or really dirty but for 90% of everyday worn stuff, it does the job just as well in 1/10 of the time!

Excellent news you've been paid on time for once too! Plenty of causes for celebration today. Enjoy your weekend hun x

RainbowBridgeReturns

It was lovely to read all your good news. I am picturing you now skipping around the house humming that catchy tune.

I am still expecting you to clock up those £0.45 p's though, no matter how cute that new car is x. What is she called?

sassychick2014

Morning all

So, after such a good Friday I rushed out to pick up my new car & promptly drove 4 hours up the road to my brother's for the weekend. Good job I can get in any car and drive isn't it! From picking it up at about 1pm Fri to getting home on Sunday at 6.30pm I've already done nearly 500 miles!! This could have put a huge dent into the finances re petrol but as I was taking my mum too she went halves on petrol - well, about 65% if truth be told and I still have half a tank left! This has led to a promise of me taking her to her mother's for a few visits which is good as not only will I see my Grandma but she usually asks me to clean the house too and gives me a tenner for the pot. Says I'm a lot cheaper & friendlier than a cleaning lady!

We also ended up in The Trafford Centre in Manchester and went for dinner which for me & littley cost £25!! A lot more than I'd budgeted and littley didn't even like her meal but I thought stuff it, why not?

Littley needed new trainers for school so got some in a sale which saved a few pennies. She'd also saved some money up so went on a splurge in Matalan, also in a sale.

On another note. My brother took me to one side and told me that Littley had been discussing our holiday with him. She's been talking to a friend who's at high school and has found out how busy she's going to be and so thinks that we should go while she's still at Juniors (HS is 2 years away). However, she doesn't think that I'll be able to save enough in time so is asking people for money in the pot for her birthday instead of presents. On one hand I'm so chuffed that she's thought this through and is trying to help to go on "our" trip. But on the other hand I'm thinking she should have birthday presents. My mum said that Littley's asked her the same and that maybe I should keep a record of what she's put into the pot and then give it to her while we're away to spend. She has already put the money she saved on her clothes yesterday in the pot. With all this in mind I'm now reconsidering how I'm allocating my money. Should I deal with the debts first & go away when they're paid, which could be years if I'm honest. Or should I keep them manageable & go away when Littley's at an age that she's old enough to enjoy/remember it but not old enough for it to mess her time away from school (we're planning on a 4 week trip over Easter). I'm veering towards the latter but I suppose I need some clarification that I'm doing the right thing. Obviously I don't want debts hanging around me forever. also, with the shock news about my uncle prob not going to make it (have already come to terms with the fact Littley's not going to meet him) I really want her to meet aunt. Oh my mind's in a pickle over this! Sensible over wants!

I've also taken my budgets off my signature as they kind of went to pot this last month. I've no idea how much the petrol for this car is going to cost & foodwise, I don't think I spend much anyway. I'll reasses in a month or so.

It's taken me forever to write this with calls coming in and me pretending to work so I'm outta here for the day. Would love your thoughts on the debts vs holiday quandary.

Have a good day! x

emmaglet

Hi Sassy,

I've been to Florida for the past 3 years instead of paying off my debts. My debts are all 0%, either credit cards or to my Dad. For me, taking those holidays was what I needed to do. Now, I'm knuckling down and my debts should be paid off in May.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer really. You're on the moneysavingexpert forums, so no one is going to suggest you do the holiday. But I know that for me, I needed those.

Good luck in whatever you choose x