Thistle grasps the nettle!

Thistlewhistle

Hello there everyone :hello::hello:

Here I am again, not quite as happy as can be, unfortunately. I find myself with a few debts which I'm managing quite well, but if I don't get some serious plans in place, and make some deliberate inroads into sorting out a budget / plan for repayments / savings which works, I'm going to find myself in a bit of hot water when the taxman demands his slice on 31/01/2015!!:eek:

I'll be honest, I've made a bit of hay whilst the sun has been shining and "forgotten" to put enough by for Mr Taxman (I know - one cardinal rule, spectacularly broken ), but then we are where we are, so it's a case of where do we go from here?

Answer? Back to the forum where the support is endless and there's no judgement. A friendly place to be supported :dance:

A little about me...

I live with my partner (we have a house each, although his comes with his job and so he doesn't own his) and I am self-employed.
My finances are in a bit of a mess, not because I can't do the figures, but because there never seems to be any time to do the books:wall: Hence the tax worry!!! That's issue #1 that needs addressing!

I relocated my business at the beginning of September and so I'm busy promoting and rebuilding Word of Mouth to bring my earnings back up to what I'm used to. That's issue #2!

I have a couple of credit card debts (both at 0%) which need addressing. One deal finishes in February 2015, the other in October 2015. Issue #3

I did have a diary on the Mortgage Free Wannabe forum, but I have bigger fish to be fried before I deal with that particular cookie!

I'm happy go lucky and a terrible procrastinator - it's taken me all day to get this diary started for example :wall: and I'm a reflector - I measure twice and cut once!;)

Please feel free to drop by for a chat - it's good to talk!!!

So here goes.......
Wish me luck!!!:D

stewby

Hey thistle.


Thanks for letting me know your diary has started. Makes it easier if you know that it's time to look for it.


I am not very familiar with self-employment, do you have a set amount you have to pay back or does it depend on your income??
:undecided

I love the sound of being happy-go-lucky and, as a fellow reflector, look forward to supporting you through your journey.

Thistlewhistle

Hi Stewby,

Thanks for dropping by.
Self employment is great as I'm my own boss but the tax side is a minefield for one such as me! I have an accountant who is brilliant and saves me loads of money by knowing all the things I can claim for. It's still up to me to put the money by though and I'm useless at it.

I now have a standing order transfer money to another account so I don't spend it!! Lol.

Just need to be disciplined. I was for ages but then I had a crisis and I stopped being so organised. That's my plan. To get back to that organised state!

I'm off to get weighed at group now so I'll catch you later. Hoping for at least 4lb off today.
T:D

Thistlewhistle

Yay! Yesterday was a no spend day for me. No money left my pockets or my accounts.

NSD = 1/31

T:)

Thistlewhistle

Morning all,

I weighed in at group yesterday and lost a further 3lb taking me to 11lb lost in 3 weeks. Well chuffed with that. And I got joint Slimmer of the Week too, receiving a basket of fruit and some packets of rice and pasta, so that's save me a few pennies.

Had my haircut yesterday - it really needed cutting. It was £8.50:eek: but if you want it done cheaper round here you have to go in the car so you don't gain anything. I didn't tip this time which made me feel mean (I usually just give them the £10 note), but this is war on debts so no prisoners!!!

Spending the day ringing church bells today so no chance to spend until we hit the pub after we're done. Soda water anyone? (More for the diet than the saving!!)

Happy days!:rotfl:
T:)

GunWharf

Good luck on your Journey!

I need to lose weight myself but I have put that of until the New Year!

Thistlewhistle

Thanks GunWharf. I'm losing weight but enjoying all my favourite foods too. Love it!
T:)

beanielou

Happy new hair
Great news on SOTW :j

stewby

Afternoon thistle. Great news on the slimming award.
:j

It is something I need to address and plan to focus on it later this month (after the trip up north). OH's sister gets married in August 2016 and I want to look half decent for it. Not to mention our own wedding in 2018 too.


Have you got any particular reason that you want to lose weight or is it just for yourself??

Thistlewhistle

Hi beanielou,

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the hair! It grows so quickly, I have it done really short otherwise I'm spending money to have it cut every month. By having a haircut that makes me look like I'm president of Korea, I can push it to 8 weeks instead of 4. Ha ha!

Hi Stewby,

I'm losing weight to feel and look better as well as for better health. I need a new hip so any weight I can get rid of helps with my discomfort.

Spending news:

Spent quite a bit of my allowance this weekend which was unavoidable but annoying none the less. Also spent £9 on a shed load of fruit & vegetables today at the stall in the precinct. Good quality stuff though so it'll last.
Bought:
3 x mango (just addicted to mango!)
Bag of Cornish spuds
2 x sweet potatoes
8 x Carrots
1 x Red cabbage
1 x Swede
1 x Parsnip

We cooked a huge pork roast yesterday which was half price at £8.10. So far we've had 4 dinners off it and it'll still do another 2 easily.

We're doing ok food wise. I set a budget of £100 which won't be enough but it makes me focus more if it's a lower amount.

Speak later, off to work.
T:)

cazmanian_minx

I'm terrible for not putting money aside for tax as well - think I've got it cracked now, thanks to starting to use YNAB. Really tempting to throw the tax savings at the debts though!