Mind change to debt thanks to MSE forums!

sassychick2014

Hiya

That's great and sad news for your niece. But 18's a tricky age isn't it as you want to be out with all your mates. I was speaking to a friend the other day who wants to take her child to Thailand for a year and was saying - you have to do it or you'll regret it. Then Littley goes, so why aren't we going to Aus? Tricky!

I think I'm going to work on getting my debts cleared over the next year and then take another look at going once money isn't so bad. My main concern (after money) would be Littley making friends and not messing up her education. Although secondary school starts in year 7 as it does here their years are one behind us so theoretically she's got 1 year till high school in UK and 2 in Aus. This means I could have 2 years to sort things out and see if it would work. I may even decide after the holiday glow has faded that it's not worth it (it so is!!).

In other news I had a victory against a catalogue today. I had a BNPL that was due end of April. I went to pay it on 28th and found out it was actually due 24th and £451.81 interest had been added!! I spoke to the company and was told by 3 different people basically tough luck. So I emailed and got the same response so I emailed again and was told that due to it being an honest mistake on my part they would refund the interest as a good will gesture. So happy as this now means my account with them is zero and so the account is now being closed.

Also, got requested for another proposal for a new project with the new client so that's a bonus. Only prob is they may not pay til year end (next April) which is a bummer. However, I've not accounted any of their money as yet so whatever comes in will be a huge bonus and will be put towards debt so we can hopefully chuff off to Oz.

Have a great day everyone xx

Harryspotter

hi, i have been reading your diary and think you have done an amazing job! You have completely inspired me, I have approx £17000 debt but I have also booked a dream holiday for me and my family for next summer. Like you said, this isn't necessarily recommended but life has to continue to be fun whilst paying off debt otherwise my children will have left home and that time is gone. So, I now have to find £4800 by next year as well as continue to hit the debts lol! You have given me the inspiration and I am copying your idea of moving across any small amount of money that has been saved into a separate savings account. i have moved across £7.50 already this week.
So well done and thank you x

sassychick2014

Hi Harryspotter

Thank you for your kind words! It was a tough year but Littley and I did it and if we can, you can.

I think the main thing you need to be able to raise £4800 is your family all behind you and helping in whatever way they can. Any spare penny we got went in the pot. Each day the pennies were rounded down on my bank account & put across into savings. I cut out most of the fun stuff (we needed a little to keep us going) and also took on little jobs here and there to raise extra funds, including mystery shopping, surveys & car boots/ebay. We also had a map of Australia pinned to the cupboard in the kitchen and coloured it in whenever we reached the next £100 (very Blue Peter!).

It seemed incredibly hard all the time and I won't lie, there were many "is it worth it?" times but when I lay on that beach in Australia watching Littley building sandsofas (complete with a tv!) I knew it was. We have so many amazing memories, the debt didn't get higher and we learnt to live on a budget.

Good luck with your journey. I'm sure you'll manage it and have the best time on your dream holiday. Where are you going?

Have a fab day Xx

Trixxibell

Hiya babe,

(I'm a bit late) YOUR BACK!!!,

By the sounds of it you had a fab time xx I'm so glad you enjoyed it you worked so hard for the holiday.

Well I'm back from NYC and I'm going back with the OH and the kids next year! Just like harry spotter it's going to cost £5,000ish this doesn't include the nyc pass for attractions but includes hotel, flights, transfers and spending money. I'm splitting the balance with OH something we've never done before. I'm trying to split more things 50:50 it's working well. (We earn the same)

I'm going to steal your colouring in the map idea :-)

Glad your back xx

Harryspotter

Hi trixxie

SOOO jealous - i want to go to New York as well Maybe 2017

sassychick2014

Hi hon

Yes we did have a great time - understatement of the year! lol However this month is proving a bit of a struggle already and it's Littley's birthday soon too.

So glad you had a great time in NYC. It's on our list of places to go too (Littley wants to go this December - seriously!?) so I'm happy your time there was fantastic.

I'm trying to think of the next thing to save for as I miss having that target. I should really think of the debt as saving but I'm paying that off too so it's not one or the other. Littley has put NYC and Italy/Greece on the list so maybe I'll look into that. Although we've already booked next year's hol - Skeggy! haha bit different but just as fun I'm sure.

Well, must get back to work and try and earn some money. My lovely new contract keeps giving me more hours which is great but it now looks like I won't see the money for several months leaving me in a bit of a creek with only a small paddle. I'm sure I'll survive but it is annoying when you've got a payment coming in and it's all earmarked. I'm hoping I get it before my birthday (July) so I can take Littley to Paris for a few days. Oh, did I not mention that's on her list too? She's a right traveller now.

Have a great day xx

sassychick2014

Hi everyone

It's Littley's birthday in a few weeks and I can't believe how quickly that's come round. Last year I had saved up my nectar points and managed to get her nearly £100 of goodies for a mind boggling £5 due to Sainsbury's having a triple points sale which was brilliant. This year however I've not done so well.

I bought her a few things when we were away that she's not aware of so that should bring a few smiles. I've also thought to do a collage of some of her fave pics from the trip and have it made into a poster print for her room. She's already asked for a small canvas print of a photo she has of her and Grandma so I'll be getting that. It's got to be a cheap affair whilst not being a cheap affair if that makes sense!? She's not really sure what she wants which isn't helpful as it's so close but I'll work something out. She also wants an Aussie themed bbq so any ideas on what to do would be great!

Moneywise I've had to borrow a few quid off my mum as a few jobs I was doing before I went haven't been picked up again due to the fact I have this big contract and so haven't had the time. Which is good but as I said I don't know when I'm getting the money grrrrr.

I also need to get a guy in to give me a quote to fix my fence and now, unfortunately, my shed. I went to get the lawnmower out yesterday to find that the shed has had part of the roof blown off and so all the electrical stuff inside is soaking wet. Not happy. Went to the shop with Mum & she bought a new mower for £65 which is roughly what she paid to have the lawns cut once by a gardener. We've agreed if I cut her grass I don't have to contribute to the mower. I'm not sure who got the better deal here! lol But I do need to get the shed fixed as the mower's now in Mum's conservatory which isn't ideal.

Right. I'm off to do more chores and work. Have a good day everyone xx

Trixxibell

Hiya babe,

I can't believe it's her birthday already!!! I remember you getting her presents last year!!!

Your idea for a collage sounds great by the way.

Have a great day xx

sassychick2014

Hiya

It's come round quick hasn't it. Shocking really.

I've made her the collage. I got it cheap on Photobox as they've got heaps of offers on atm. I also did a refer a friend thingy and got a small photobook as my gift which I'm giving to her. I've already told her as I wanted her to be able to open it on her birthday but I wanted it to be with her fave pics of the hols and not mine. So she's chuffed about that.

She did give me 3 ideas of what to get but I've since been told by other family & friends that she's asked them for them too so I'm letting them get them and having to have another think. Flippin' kid lol

On another note. I cba to do anything atm. Have had 2 meetings today, one very constructive and another not so much. The negative one was with a company and the woman kept saying 'I'm not doing that.' or 'I don't like that' and the positive meeting was with her BOSS saying 'oh I love it, we'll do that!' Be interesting to see what actually happens.

Have a good day everyone! xx

sassychick2014

Morning all

So today I'm ridiculously tired and just cannot wait for the school holidays to start. I know I shouldn't be as we've only done a 4 week term instead of 6 and that I've had a nice long holiday but we did so much it was exhausting - but obviously worth it!

Littley's out for a sleepover tonight. There's a quiz night at the local in aid of raising funds for the school & although I wanted to go it was going to be a bit of a pricey night. £8 entry although you do get your dinner with it. Plus you have drinks etc. Anyway, I've been asked to be a marker of the quiz papers so for that I get the night out, plus my dinner, and it's all paid for as I'm "working". More than happy with that.

I've got reports to do today which I'm not really in the mood for. I hate doing them on a Friday as I only have half the info but for some reason it's the day most people prefer them. Would much rather wait until a Monday and give them the full week's information.

Ah well, must get my backside in gear. Have a great weekend everyone xx