This really is the end

Determined14

Thanks Bob . I've been here before so know these are the easy bits and it's long term behaviour that needs changing which is way harder! I've started my spending diary, just a list on my phone, and then I'll put it into a spreadsheet so I can start identifying patterns and to make me more aware. Baby steps

Determined14

Evening! Been away for a few days as had Monday off work and weekends are most definitely family time now! Bit of a mixed bag this weekend, some expensive spends, some good days. I'm currently congratulating myself for not buying my body weight in chocolate on the way home and for not ordering a take away so getting there. But I have ordered 2 dresses for a hen do this coming weekend totalling £59.99 but one of them will be returned. Since having bubs none of my clothes either fit or are "me" anymore.

I'm keeping my spending diary still which is going well, whilst I am making an effort to be more MSE I want to get a true picture of my spending habits so I'm not being massively strict with myself. I know that's slightly contradictory but it makes sense to me.

Think that's all for now so I'll come back with an update soon. Hope everyone is well!
x

Determined14

Not had a great day today, haven't spent anything per se but check the bank balance and whilst it's still positive (around £250) I've got a £400 DD coming out next week and I need cash for tonight. This means dipping into my non existent savings to replenish the current account and putting tonight on the CC which is not ideal. I do have a +£40 balance on my CC so I'll use a bit of that. This just highlights how I really do need to curb in the spending and get everything back on track

Determined14

Further to my last post I just feel like things keep on coming and making me take steps backwards. On my car's MOT I had an advisory against all 4 tyres, so as we were going on a longish journey yesterday coupled with the fact that I do quite a bit of driving for work and when my husband looked at the tyres on Sunday and was a bit worried we went to get them checked. All 4 of them dangerous / illegal so that was £400. They looked at the brake discs when the wheels were off an all 4 of them need replacing so that's another £350-400, which I just don't have.

I just don't know what to do, I feel like I'm drowning and every good intention I have is undone by something which crops up. I know that debt repayment takes time but I like to see changes fast which I think is why things have never stuck before. I just don't see a way out of the debt I have and that really scares me. I feel like my financial position / security is teetering on a knife edge and can go either way. I spoke to my husband about it and he feels similarly, he's offered to give me some money to help pay for the tyres / discs which will help but I feel like we're just sticking a plaster over a gaping wound.

I think I need to really reassess my monthly budget and see what I can do to help, also June is going to be a using up the cupboards / freezer month to minimise food spending, I'm going to leave my debit card at home so I can't spend on a whim, I'm also wondering if instead of doing £400 debt repayments a month if I meet the minimums and save the rest. I think I feel so uneasy as I have no safety net and while my debt is on 0% maybe it makes more sense to save what I would be repaying and then do bigger repayments every so often. But would really appreciate thoughts on this!

Sorry for the moan x

thegreenone

IMHO, the brakes are an absolute must before debt overpayments. Not MSE but if you have to, pay by cc. I know, I know, but the consequence of bad brakes doesn't bear thinking about. The safety of you and your loved ones far outweighs overpayments.


I think it would be very sensible to do half to minimums and half to savings. No, the debt won't go down as quickly as you would like but you will be gaining savings. Imagine an old fashioned set of scales. One side is loaded down at the moment but slowly, slowly the other side will come up to meet it and then the balance will change.


I know exactly how you feel about things cropping up, mostly with cars in this house too

wishus

Hi Determined14! Just want to say I have subscribed - and good luck.

Like you, I have an OH is not so MSE as me, and it gets me down sometimes. But he has depression which acts like a great big dimmer switch, so he's aware and on-board one minute, then running after the ice cream van with his wallet out the next! :rotfl:

Lots for us to have to carry, but there is light. We will win.

Determined14

thegreenone wrote: »

IMHO, the brakes are an absolute must before debt overpayments. Not MSE but if you have to, pay by cc. I know, I know, but the consequence of bad brakes doesn't bear thinking about. The safety of you and your loved ones far outweighs overpayments.


I think it would be very sensible to do half to minimums and half to savings. No, the debt won't go down as quickly as you would like but you will be gaining savings. Imagine an old fashioned set of scales. One side is loaded down at the moment but slowly, slowly the other side will come up to meet it and then the balance will change.


I know exactly how you feel about things cropping up, mostly with cars in this house too

Thanks thegreenone, I agree r.e.brakes and tyres being a priority. Safety comes first especially with a baby. Luckily the brakes only came to £250 not the anticipated £400 so that feels slightly better. The other good news from today is that our other car went through its MOT, it failed (as expected) but will only cost just over £100 to fix so yay!

I agree about the scales metaphor and have cancelled the £400 DD to the CC and will be setting things up more evenly. This week was just too close to call for me so I think I do need a safety net. Thanks for the reinforcement though, it's really needed sometimes

Determined14

wishus wrote: »

Hi Determined14! Just want to say I have subscribed - and good luck.

Like you, I have an OH is not so MSE as me, and it gets me down sometimes. But he has depression which acts like a great big dimmer switch, so he's aware and on-board one minute, then running after the ice cream van with his wallet out the next! :rotfl:

Lots for us to have to carry, but there is light. We will win.

Thanks Wishus - it's good to know others are in the situation too. That description really sounds like my OH too, one minute he's counting the pennies and the next he's buying random tools because he has to have them. We had a mini money discussion the other day so I think he understands where I'm coming from with it and is more onboard than he has been.

The other point which came up was my weight (brought up by me not him!) Since having the baby I've lost most the weight but I just feel out of shape and untoned and generally unattractive so even though it's not MSE I'm going to sign up to a weekly bootcamp. It's £8 a session (I live in the SE so that's cheap!) but I'm hoping that the hour once a week gives me a bit of a boost. Fingers crossed!

Bobarella

I know that feeling only too well Determined. I am glad the brakes thing went better than hoped. We gave up on cars last August after having a year from hell with 2 of them. I don't miss paying for petrol or the endless cost of running one. Is biking an option for you? We all cycle everywhere now.

Determined14

Cycling isn't an option, I drive 25 miles each way to work (dropping bubs off on the way) and it'd be even longer cycling as I drive down motorways and dual carriageways. We switched to a diesel which has saved me about £80 a month in fuel so that's something at least!