Exciting new adventures- first home and debt busting in 2015

First_home_debt_busting

Hi All,

I have used this site many times and have been lurking reading the debt free diaries for a number of years. The diaries and peoples stories are inspirational, and the community spirit sharing tips and advice it's so lovely. When you turn on the news there is always some doom and gloom and we often need reminding there are a bunch of nice genuine people still out there!

I've decided this evening in 2015, I shall no longer be a forum browser, but a participant! Hooray! And I look forward to making new friends and sharing tips along the way.

So a bit about me.....
I'm 28 ( soon to be 29 eeeekkk!) last year in November I purchased my first home. After much saving and learning discipline I managed to save up a deposit and my dream came true!
However what I didn't do was clear my credit cards. I have three and the balance I am unsure of... I will need to calculate tomorrow.

I now need to look to clear these and also the house that I now own needs some work. The house is a mid- terrace and is a victorian railway cottage. Whilst the house is liveable there are some items I need to address in the most effective money saving way. As an example the living room window is not double glazed and it's very very cold. The heat from the radioator just drifts out the window!

As this is my first home and I live on my own any help and advice about keeping bills such as food shopping will be a help! I haven't got to grips with not wasting food, and I'm more into the habit of snacking rather than cooking a meal- not good for the purse or for my waist line!

I look forward to any help and advice you super savers can provide!

Happy debt busting! :j

First_home_debt_busting

Hi All,

I'm working through my statement, so will post as soon as it's ready.
Today has been productive. I have decorated my study with a pot of b and q own paint. This was £14.99 and has kept me out of trouble all day. Many people would pay that for a takeaway so I think it's quite a good investment really! The paint was good quality- often cheaper paint is a false economy but I was very pleasantly surprised! It's made the room look very different. Still not totally finished- woodwork still to do but it's keeping me out of mischief!

I've also had a sort through the loft- and discovered my slow cooker!!! I feel that this is possibly going to revolutionise my life! I work all over the county sometimes 12 hour days. Then I come home and snack and wonder why I'm putting on weight and my shopping is so high. Fact pre-packaged or junk food is rubbish and expensive! I cooked a small gammon joint in it this afternoon and to be honest it was really tasty!

Slow cooking and freezing could be the answer not only to not wasting as much, but a healthier me and a better bank balance!

First_home_debt_busting

Ok... So I have added up all of the totals.....

£1967.14 Halifax cc
£6803.55 ( moved this to 0% as balance transfer in November for 24 months)
£389.51 - barclaycard, however some of this is work expenses that I am awaiting to claim back. I will then have a true figure.

Total figure £9160.20

Eek

PinkPoppies

Well done on the deposit saving! :T

I wonder whether batch cooking at weekends and popping your own portioned sized 'ready meals' in the freezer might be the way to go food wise? Cheap and easy to heat up after work?

First_home_debt_busting

Thanks pink poppies! I can also see from your signature that you have made significant progress! Well done you!

It's hard work living frugally, but I'm sure we will get there and it will pay off!

I think your right about the batch cooking. Im also doing slimming world- tonight was weigh in- only put on 1lb since Xmas! Not quite sure how it's only that amount considering how much I've eaten!

First_home_debt_busting

Hi All,
Sorry I haven't been here for a while- I've been suffering from the winter bug!!!! Money saving and frugal living isn't going great. £29 shop in aldi and then £17 in waitrose. It's only me and it didn't seem much in 3 bags!!! So that's now put me in my overdraft slightly by £50. I don't get paid until the 28th and my gas and electric will also need topping up I'm on a silly pay as you go. I need to change it really-
Feeling fed up