Juicygirl's 'Will I ever learn?' diary

SMD_1402

Hi JuicyGirl,

I'm in a similar position - I can't actually see any negative marks on my credit report at all, no missed payments etc. but I have a low rating. My outstanding debts are as list in my signature, CC1 Limit - £7,000 and CC2 Limit - £1,750. I also have a Next A/C with £5,000 Limit but zero balance. I know they work it out with how much debt you have to how much is available but I'm not sure whether to close CC2 now it is paid off or leave it open?! It's so confusing.


My 0% offer ends in November and I really want to be accepted for another card by then to enable me to transfer the balance without paying extortionate interest!


I started my diary at the beginning of April with all good intentions and have not done too well but it has kind of given me a fright to (hopefully) do better as of now.


I have a two year old so there always seems to be something they need. Fingers crossed though.


Good luck to you too x

thegreenone

Hi,
You sound totally in control. We don't have a lot of debt outside the mortgage (which with everything crossed will be gone in 2.5 years) but believe me, we have been where you are and I know how it feels. There is an end, I promise.


We have one more rent payment for our son who graduates from a continental European university next month and then I can get going on the cc and mortgage. Just wondering when the deposit for his accommodation will come back. (insert very happy smiley face - tablet doesn't do smilies)


Re the holidays. (It's our thing too) Just a thought, if you're not totally loyal to Mr T and don't have a Liddle or Aldiddle near by, switch to Mr S and save the nectar points which can be swapped for easyjet flights. Only if you don't need them for food. Mr TGO and I are off to La Rochelle end of June. I used my nectar points and parted with just £29 return for the two of us. Accommodation separate and almost paid for. Mr TGO is weekly paid so for the last four weeks when I've gone to Mr S for shopping I've got cash out for food and extra for holiday. I've swapped some immediately on the way in, at the bureau de change for euros. All piling up nicely in a jar that has to be smashed to get at the dosh. Much less of a temptation because a. I can't see it and b. It would mean converting back before I can spend it. Although it's there if anything really went boobs skywards!


OMG I've waffled, but just a few thoughts.

juicygirl

Hi all,

Thank you for commenting! It's so nice to hear words of support, encouragement and advice!

Harryspotter - you sound so like me. I agree with you 100%. I'm going to search out your diary when I've finding posting here.

SMD- I agree it's so confusing! I think the amount of open credit you have can affect your rating too. When I got my report with Exp**ion it told me exactly what was wrong though. My little boy is almost 3- 2 is such a fun age but hard work too don't you think? I've bought loads of stuff for him off eB*y and plan on selling all of his stuff ( keeping it to see if this is another boy first).

Thegreenone - thanks for those suggestions, will def look into that. You've just reminded me that I need to link my nectar card up to Eb*y too! Hope you enjoy your son's graduation!


Today's DFW attempts:

- had a NSD
- successfully argued with the gym over my cancelled membership - direct debit refunded
- took packed lunch to work and prepared them for tomorrow

Still to :

- read some more diaries for ideas/motivation
- do Onepoll surveys
- check current account and round down to nearest £5/10 and make a small OP


Unfortunately it was a very unprofitable day at work, busy but not profitable. Oh well, tomorrow is another day! Should be another NSD too!

Have a nice evening!

juicygirl

Very little to report today. Got in from work late and went straight to vote which meant late dinner. In the past I would have just bought a takeaway, but not now!! Even though we were late to eat we stuck to our planned meal. Small steps!

So today I have:

- had a NSD
- onepoll surveys - £0.70 today taking me to £23.10. First in ages!
- took packed lunch to work and prepared for tomorrow
- turned off central heating

Now going to read some diaries. Other than no spending and small OP's to round off current account I doubt there will be much else to report until payday - 22 days to go!

juicygirl

Today I met a colleague at work's baby for the first time, she was gorgeous! Made me excited for baby no 2. Feel a bit guilty though. As a present I took a book and teddy that had been bought for DS and not used. Feel bad at the lack of thought but on the other hand we aren't close and I just can't afford it at the moment. And the gifts were lovely so I'm glad they went to a good home.

Also today I had a NSD, earned 30p in surveys and transferred a small overpayment of £1.66 to my RBS card.

Having a dilemma, I've started leaving my profits from Eb*y sales in my PayPal account and was going to let these build to buy myself some new clothes after baby born. These will be really needed, I haven't bought anything new for ages ( with exception of maternity wear) and my clothes are a bit of a mess. However, I'm itching to just pay it to a credit card! It's only £20 at moment but I'm working on that! What to do? A 50:50 split?

juicygirl

Plans for today:

-downstairs housework
-spend no money (might need milk but nothing else!)
-continue decorating DS 'big boy' bedroom (picture hanging eye)
- list at least 4 items on EBay


DS has a swimming lesson and a birthday party this morning but other than that we have no plans. Dinner is leftovers from last night rejigged.

Money is really tight this month with the number of spends we have had - I have £114 left in current account with a £250 overdraft allowance ( get charged £6 if I use this and do this every month, going to try and gradually use less of it and get rid of it), £150 put by for a wedding overnight stay we have at end of month (technically in next months pay so could use this if really ness), and just under £200 in my emerg fund ( really don't want to touch this, trying to build it to £1000.)

So far this diary has been really motivating! Even if I'm talking to myself it has really made me think about spends and my attitude to money. Hubby has already suggested an IKEA trip to get some bits for DS new room. At first I agreed and then had a rethink- we'd need to use CC for anything we bought so I've put it off til next month. The stuff we plan to buy is necessary (single bed duvet etc) but it can wait, we dont need to rush the move!

juicygirl

Managed another NSD! 4 in a row. This will have to end tomorrow with a family birthday but I'm pleased with the run! Aiming for another 4 next week.

Didn't manage to get anything on EBay, after our busy morning I enjoyed the sun in the afternoon!

Happy Saturday night everyone! X

juicygirl

So today was a bit of a mixed bag!

£35 spent on a family members birthday and lunch out ( well deserved and lovely, but more than I had thought!)

£6.39 in Al*i - just essentials but was impressed by the price and must try to get here more often.

Online shop coming tomorrow. I feel I spend less this way even with a delivery charge and it's far easier than shopping with a toddler! Meals have been planned for the week and my basket is sitting at just below £30! Cheapest shop I've done in ages.

Otherwise I've been cleaning and decluttering which feels great, but I've still not got round to listing anything on Eb*y. Got a bag to take to Cash for stuff type shop though!

Tomorrow I need to get DS' feet measured ( here's hoping he hasn't grown ) and planning to exchange a birthday gift ( a lovely bag, just not my taste) for some new costume jewellery for a wedding I've got at end of the month. Here's hoping!

Now off to check for surveys and read some diaries!

juicygirl

An expensive few days here.

Took DS to get his feet measured yesterday, was sure they hadn't grown but of course they had. By a whole half size. Bye bye £34 on new shoes! Used emergency fund for this rather than CC - so glad I started this and will continue to build it up.

Other expenses included £32.74 on Mr T home shop, £19.50 on a quarterly bill is forgotton about, £1.38 on cards and £140 on deposit for blinds for DS new room and our hall. Unfortunately I couldn't just make do with the blinds that were there because there weren't any. 6 years in this house and we still have some bare windows and lightbulbs!!!

In better news I was able to return birthday present and get a gift voucher so this can be used towards another birthday present or something when I actually need it. Also have an evening wedding invitation next month but can't make it. They are going on honeymoon to same place we went on holiday last and I had some unused currency left so giving that as a gift.

Today I have to post an EBay parcel and have a waxing appt (£12). Meeting a friend for coffee tonight, taking £10 and expecting to come home with £5 which will go straight to holiday sealed pot for next year.

After that 3 NSD's are planned!!!

juicygirl

Oh and thanks to harryspotter I've investigated ziffit and have started inputting barcodes for books. Thats given me the incentive to start reading through the pile I have sitting next to my bed before baby comes! X