2014 - the drive to be ready to pay back debt created by doing a masters

Magsnoodle

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments. Have spoken to OH's consultant's secretary (looks too many apostrophes there) anyway told her what I thought of the registrar and that I had sent an e mail to the consultant - he has had time off recently due to being very poorly so not having a dig at him. Anyway have had a response to that and now feel much better. Although there is a problem it is not yet time to press the panic button and lets see how the review blood test in 3 months goes.

I have had to really look at my spending for next month due to credit card bill for this one which included £200 deposit for the hire car. Took car back today which means the money will be credited back to my card and also I returned it a day early so got more back than expected. Just annoyed that I used that credit card as the bill was sent on Monday so it included the whole payment for this month and refund will be next. Should have used 0% halifax but I don't take it out with me as that stops me from spending on it.....

Have decided to get tougher next month on myself and saving. Have put together a budgt and spreadsheet for Christmas and birthdays and surprised at how much firmer I have been already. Maybe this might be the first year that I actually only spend the money I have saved rather than spend extra.....

Have seen an interesting job which I appear to tick a lot of boxes for - would be a promotion but quite quick after my last one - 15 months and not sure they will consider me appropriate. Might just try it and be cheeky

Hope you are all having a good week and thanks for stopping by.

Have fun

M xxx

giblet1979

Glad that you've had the feedback from the consultant. Also, definitely think you should at least go for the job. Who knows what might happen

Good news about the new strict budgets too - I know you can do it x

Magsnoodle

Thanks Giblet. Hope you are well.

I have made more enquiries about the job and I am definitely going to apply. If I get an interview that will be a bonus and then it will be up to me.

Have made a bit of an effort with Christmas shopping today - there was 25% off in Toscos and also found some children's clothes on their bargain rails so managed to pick up some tops for less than a £1. These go with other things but I am trying to set a strict budget for a change with Christmas presents and so far I am sticking to it. Lets see if it continues though?

Was not planning to start shopping until my Christmas savings had matured but the bargains are too good to wait that long to be honest and I have so many to buy for that it really freaks me at the idea of waiting.

Anyway shall sign off for now. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

TTFN xxx

sassychick2014

Morning Sweetie

Sorry not been posting on your progress for a little while. I have been reading just been a bit busy lately - no excuses I know but sorry!

It's good to hear you've spoken to OH's consultant's secretary (agree, way to many apostrophes!) and that you feel better afterwards. At the end of the day it's your OH's health and if neither of you feel comfortable with how things are going you have every right to push further. Hope you get the outcome you're after.

Have a great week xx

Magsnoodle

Another week over and I have gone and done it. I've applied for the job - OMG!!! Might be above my station but who knows if you don't try you'll never know. If I was to get it, it would mean a decent pay rise although I do ok as it is but I just need to be very disciplined about saving the extra money towards my credit card bills and then throwing it at the mortgage.

The credit card company took the deposit off my bill already so I had to pay £217 less on it than I thought. I have now reappropriated that money into my savings so that will be a little more towards the repayments. I have had a couple of bad months in August and September and it has knocked me off the plan a little. I intend to try and make it up before we get to the end of November.... Ive said it now and hope you will all hold me to account.

Watch this space. Have a great week and thanks for reading.

TTFN xxx

Magsnoodle

So how are we all doing? I have been away for a week with OH, DD and OH's 4 grandchildren. Shoot me if I suggest that again.

Didn't get short listed for the job - but thats ok as I had some great feedeback about my application and it wasn't that it was rubbish - just not enough experience which is what I expected.... Onwards and upwards and at least I know now that I am on the right track.

University is incredibly difficult this term - 3 nights a week having already done a full days work means I am on my knees with tiredness. Trying desperately to get Christmas presents together at the same time and must admit I am nearly there. Have been doing a lot of bargain hunting and for the first time ever sticking to the budget that has been set. Making up a few hampers which I am loving doing...

Came home from uni a fortnight ago to find a dreaded letter from HMRC - however it was an overpayment notice and a cheque for the said amount - hence why I have been able to set more money aside than intended. I am hoping that some of the money I have put aside for Christmas will also be able to find its way to the savings pot too as I think I might be able to do without it.

Becoming absolutely addicted to Dave Ramsey to the point where I am getting obsessed. I think it is not necessarily a bad thing at the minute but not sure if it could become OTT.

Anyway here's to a successful November for you all.

TTFN xxx

Magsnoodle

Hi

Well I am still alive and lurking on a number of the boards just not writing on my own. Snowed under with exam work - Monday and Tuesday afternoon and feeling very under pressure. Sure it will be fine when I get there.

Savings have been going reasonably well although I have noticed that I am slipping in more spending days on rubbish - mainly chocolate and crisps. I tend to get very stressed when studying and eat more. All exams will be over in March and just the project left after this. Normal family life will then be resumed.

Tried a little with the sealed pot challenge and was really pleased with the amount I'd gathered for very little effort - has made me more determined this year to get even more together.

Hope you are all well and have a great week.

TTFN xxx

Magsnoodle

Hi

I have changed the amount of money I owe my parents as they gave me £3000 about 15 years ago when they had to change their Euros to sterling to give it to me. Looking at interest rates then it looks like to cost them over 5,000 in Euros so I am hoping that £5000 when I convert to euros will give them back a little interest but probably not enough after 15 years. Might still owe them a bit but they have never asked for this back and I want to be able to start 2016 with a clean slate.

It will be good for them to have a little bit in case they are in difficulties as they are pensioners now and Ireland is not as generous as it once was.

Thanks for reading and listening to my ramblings.

TTFN xxx

Magsnoodle

Well where did 2014 go? Isn't it amazing how fast the years are rushing by?

January is going to be quite a difficult month for me and have had to ask OH to rescue me financially which is very against my values... My mess I need to sort it and all that and I got a bit cocky and put more money into savings then I probably could afford. His thoughts are he retires at the end of the year and the shoe will be on the other foot then so whilst he can help me now whilst I am trying to sort out these debts I will be helping him out soon. Hope I have got everything sorted enough by then to do this.
Dave Ramsey would not approve as he says once married all debts should be "our" debts and not solo ones. Interesting topic and once we are sorted and the beloved other half has retired then I think we will combine the accounts. Wouldn't want him to have to come to me and ask for money as not sure he would like that.
So really trying to get a curb on the spending this month as I have the term's fees to pay for uni and have worked out that I have the money in the pot to do this so have no intention of getting another credit card as I had thought I would have to... :T Will earn cashback on the credit card at the same time as that is how I will pay it and then pay it off the following month.

Thanks for all of your advice and support over the past few months. Might not have been posting much but have been stalking and can see how well you are all doing.

Come on - we can do this!!!

TTFN xxxx

Magsnoodle

I've had bronchitis this week which means I've not got as far on my assignment for uni which is due on 31st but at least it was a very non spending week. Every cloud eh?

I'm going to pay this terms fees on my card after the 21st of the month which means it will be on next months credit card bill - another month of earning a little bit of interest on the savings. All will make a difference into the pot.

Looking at the dates for the post grad loan and it has to be paid back by the 30th of April so the money is in the pot waiting. Looking like I am on top of the main bits but I am concerned that when I have to get the money together for the folks the impetus will stop. Need to keep this up - main aim for 2015....

Thanks for reading.

TTFN xx