Time to Grow Up!

yourmum

Hello.
It's past time I joined in here. I've been getting the newsletters for years, bouncing between 0% balance transfer cards, doing some of the right things, but never really embracing the idea that I could be debt free.
I had a big bout of depression at the end of last year, which I'm getting through, but it's affected work and home life, and while my head's much more together, it's time I turned my attention to the rest of my life. Conversations with my partner about marriage, children and career have been a wake-up call. So, deep breath, here I am.
A bit about me - I'm in my thirties and an actress. I took a couple of years out and trained as a teacher, which didn't go quite to plan (cue depression), and have now returned to acting, which I love. Rather a feast or famine business, though. So I'm also working for a charity.
My graduate overdraft with Co-op is at £1400, and I've been studiously ignoring it, but it's only a few months until I'll have to face up to that.
I've got two credit cards - both 0%: £1700 on Halifax; £3700 on M&S. Bank account with the Co-op, which I'm thinking of shifting (partly to avoid setting-off when the grad overdraft ends).
So, that's where I'm at. Time to sort my finances out, once and for all.
I may need your support!

yourmum

Day 2, and a plan is forming. Based on reading and thinking and adding up, here's what I'm going to do/have already done:
• Close coop account to avoid setting off
• Open first direct account for bills
• Open Nationwide flex direct account for income
• Have worked out monthly, quarterly and annual bills, and what they amount to weekly - £296.72. Will transfer that amount from nationwide to first direct each week

• Metro bank ISA opened for change
• £30 to be withdrawn from nationwide account each week for
weekly outgoings paid for in cash
• Change left at end of week to go in money box
• Money box periodically emptied to go be sorted by metrobank magic money machine, and deposited in ISA
• Minimums paid to Halifax and M&S credit cards as still in 0% period
• Weekly spend to be tracked, and budget done.
How does that sound as a start, moneysavers? I'm probably doing some things right and many things wrong. Any and all advice is welcome.
Also, of course, I've started this diary to keep myself honest.
Thanks for reading!

yourmum

Not sure why last post became so tiny. Sorry!

clearmydebts

Good luck Yourmum!

Sophie-1

Keep going it will be worth it the end. Good Luck

yourmum

So, the First Direct account is open, and a date set for the transfer of DD and SO. Nationwide has been applied for, and accepted, so just waiting for that paperwork.
Started a new job yesterday, which is great. Full of fun people, and working on reception, so I may even have time to put some cheeky work in for my MEd. Nice few bits of extra work in the diary for next week too.
This weekend I'm going to be hunting through cupboards for stuff to put on ebay!

yourmum

Have joined Pact, an app which pays you to keep fit. You stake a certain amount of money and, if you don't go to the gym, or log fitness activities, you lose money. But (crucially), if you fulfil your weekly 'pact', you make a bit of money. I figure as I cycle to work, this should be both a really helpful motivator, and provide a tiny bit of income.
Putting my polar heart rate monitor on ebay. And I'll be at my Mum's over Easter, so can search the attic for things to put on.

yourmum

BTW, if you fancy joining Pact, using this link will get you $5.
http://fb-13770905.gym-pact.com

yourmum

Had an audition this morning, followed by a load of writing I needed to do. Was going to head into Central London to do the writing, but have done it at home instead - saved on travel and on food. Happy with that!

yourmum

An oddly useful week in which work cocked up my payment, so I've had to live extremely frugally. A really helpful lesson on how little I can spend in a week, and how I can say no to going out! Hopefully it will stay with me when I do get paid!

yourmum

Nationwide account is open.
Bits and pieces are on ebay!