Facing my fears and doing it anyway

Celticmiss

Hello all, I have been teetering in the edge of MSE for such a long time. The advice and encouragement I have see on the site has helped me to realise I need to face my debt fear and start to do something constructive toward tackling my debt. So a big thank you already from me.

I think this diary will be a slow development as I haven't done all my maths yet but what I have done is considered some adjustments to my lifestyle and already I have actioned these ideas:

Now I am trying to write some of these down they feel daft but I know they will help my financial and physical well-being. So just to get my diary started here are some the lifestyle changes I have promised myself.


[/LIST]No alcohol through the week and moderation at the weekend.

[/LIST]No chocolate through the week and moderation at the weekend.

[/LIST]Get the family involved in money saving alternatives to current expensive options.

move bank accounts to one that works for me and not the bank.
[/LIST]31st August pay off overdraft currently £230 but expected to increase when school shoes and uniform purchased. However I plan to challenge myself to pay this overdraft off and remain overdraft free from September 2014. I am trying NSD and after a week have achieved 4 so hope I can adopt this mindset.

I will list my debts soon but I wanted to cease the moment and start my diary.

Helpful opinions, thoughts, tips and support welcome.

Phew relieved to have shared.x

Celticmiss.

Celticmiss

Dear Diary,

I knew I would be slow off the mark and I am!

Okay today I subscribed to 2 challenges: The Meal Budget and No more books until I have read what I have. I have taken action and starting behaving like a a money saver rather than a money spender.

Monthly meal plan sorted and online grocery shop ordered to be delivered 30/8/14. Now we just need to stick to the plan and spend no more that £20 on the fresh stuff.

Budget for 4 week month food £300. (Feel daunted.)

However if I can do this I will save at least £200 which is significant to pay off debt.

My August challenge is to pay off OD £300. In itself doable and hopefully behaviour change will help me manage the coming months. But questing if I should be halving this amount and putting rest in emergency fund as this is what keeps slipping me into debt.

This is by no means my only debt but feel I need to change bank account provider and want to go debt free to the Halifax Reward account.

I continue to repay my debts but need to put brakes on accumulating anymore.

Feeling happy to be getting all of this out of my head at last.

More to come diary.xx

killerpeaty

Hello Celtic, it's lovely to see you start your journey so positively.

If you're worried about your food expenses then the old style board have some great information for you. Also remember to do the painless money saving options as well, switching providers, checking cash back sites etc.

Best of luck, I'll watch your progress with interest.

Celticmiss

Thank you killerpeaty so appreciated.x

Celticmiss

Just did a bit of online transfer to another bank. So my plan is totally separate bank for salary and standing orders/DD. Then £500.00 transferred across to existing account to blitz overdraft but use as a day to day spends account. I feel I need to physically separate my money.. .. i think I might start using the envelope idea too.

Is this a daft idea? Am I avoiding reality?

Celticmiss

Dear Diary,

Up early and heading to work for an overtime day today. Lunch yet o be prepared but will be of the home take away variety.

Invoice prepared and printed for additional August hours and will submit today so should be in my account in a week. Money allocated to blast the overdraft currently standing at £370.

Need a few things from shop so plan to go on my way to work so I am time limited an cannot browse- I have my list of three items prepared, partly to keep me focused and because memory will fail me when distracted by wonderful must have offers.

Onwards.x

Celticmiss

Dear Diary,

I did it. I navigated my way through the supermarket and only gathered items from my list- feeling proud. The simplest things.

Pack up picnic at my desk.x

Celticmiss

Dear Diary

I am gradually getting there. Adding some important information to my signature today. Also had a revelation when I checked my loan account that I could actually make an additional payment and finish paying this load in 2015! Hooray. That would be great to not take that loan into 2016.

Okay still haven't officially sat down and worked out my approach yet. Although attitude is changing and meal planning for September 2014 complete and ordered.

£50 unexpectedly spent today as OH forgot to leave kids maths tutors money. Lol. Determined that my kids will be far better at maths than me. Will be sharing MSE concepts too.:wave:

in_need_of_direction

You're doing well tackling stuff while making a plan. Best of luck with it.

Celticmiss

Dear Diary

Finally updated my signature to include all debt and now feel sick. But on the positive its all listed now, there in black and white.

Loan payments are ticking over, need to keep to budget and channel energy into cc and OD.

Onwards

Celticmiss

Dear Diary

Pay day today and some expenses logged on my expenses app.

£58 theatre tix and meal as attending an award do with overnight stay. Unable to avoid expense as attending with work colleagues.

SOS from daughter for spot zapper £3.00 decided to avoid shop would order for £2 cheaper via a..zon but minimum order need to be £10.00 for delivery. Decided to add my usual cleanser to delivery so not ideal but I have cleanser when needed so will avoid another trip to shop and daughter rescued. £11.23 spent.

Here is hoping for a few NSD's.