Let's just say I used to love spending...

King_Slayer

Hello everyone!

I have been reading quite a few inspirational stories, now that I have finally seen the light I haven't gotten all my debts together in order so I'll be starting this diary to keep me in order.

In 2013 I came to the realisation that if I was to ever own my own home, I will need to curb my spending drastically. I decided to get serious about clearing my debt.

I came clean to my OH about my 2 credit cards (£2500 and £800), a £3700, £900 overdraft and an 18k car finance. I was making all the monthly payments, however the interest was just a killer, one of my credit card had an interest rate of 32% :eek: took this out to 'build my credit' silly me! I would get so stressed sometimes, it would just put me in a right mood. My OH would always ask what was wrong, but I was too embarrassed to say. Not realising this would also hurt him as it was delaying our affordability for a home.

Silly thing is, I had £3500 savings in my NS&I account, so my OH naturally thought all was well with my finances. When everything came to light (after a lot of prodding and coaxing about the exact amount) he advised me to pay off the credit cards promptly as its pointless having savings and be paying a higher interest on debt!

He then paid the balance of my loan from his savings (which delayed us purchasing) and I cleared my overdraft with joint savings and my some of my bonus. Since then my outstanding debt is £7789 on my car. We got married in 2014 and paid just over 15k for the wedding, but all from savings. We have now purchased our first home and I am desperate to keep on track.

I have already made cuts from monthly out going, of things I don't need. I know there's other bits that I could reduce so will post a list of out goings to get some ideas.

As we're due to move in to our new home approx end of this month (subject to completion) we have a lot of work due and the figures are already adding up. I just need to be sensible and prioritise.

Looking forward to the support and advice from you all.

So yes, here goes! Wish me luck!!!

King_Slayer

So far I've joined the £1000 emergency fund challenge, Virtual pot and £2 Savers club. These keep my mind focused on saving towards something. I find that I'm less likely to spend my change on coffee or a chocolate bar.

King_Slayer

It's grocery shopping day. Before I would go to the shop, no list in hand. Would wander aimlessly through all the aisles, stuffing my cart with things I thought I needed, grabbing all the '2 for' bargains, only to have them sit in the cupboards, some until expiry.

I now shop according to my meals for the following week. Saves us loads and we now have less wastage in the house. I plan my meals for the week and buy all the ingredients. I then add the basics like milk, eggs, bread etc and fruit and snacks for our daughter.

My shopping for this week came to £52. My previous weekly spend was always in excess of £80.

in_need_of_direction

If you don't do something with that spare £28, it will evaporate.

King_Slayer

Thank you for that, we've been putting our extra savings into a Christmas find. This way we should have enough to pay for food and presents.

Today has been a really quiet day. However I've done all the washing, I've changed our laundry detergent. I normally use BOLD 2 in 1 liquid, I normally pay £6 per bottle, smells lovely but doesn't last past a week in my house! I've changed to DAZ powder which I paid £8 on offer and its now into the 4th week.
I normally have a full roast however as we were having a lazy day, I've stuck a pizza in the oven, which was only £2. So although it's not my ideal Sunday meal, I have saved quite a bit. I think I've just been a bit drained as my work takes me away from home. Ive just got back after two weeks away.
My plan for the rest of the day is:

Do the ironing
Tidy the house
Prepare lunch for work
Pack gym kit
Prepare my daughters bags for school (for whatever reason she always has picked flowers, bits of scrap paper and random leaves)
Do some uni work
Make a plan to start clearing the house in preparation to move

King_Slayer

Came home to a letter reminder to pay for my car tax. What a brilliant welcome home!

Thing is I thought I had covered everything in my budget at the start of the month, but forgot the car tax!! :eek: luckily I won't have to do any damage control.

Determined14

Hi King_Slayer! I came home to the same letter r.e car tax so that was fun, luckily it is covered in my annual expenses account so that's a relief.

I think I need to join some challenges to try and motivate myself and keep focussed as it's so easy to get distracted.

I've subscribed so look forward to reading more!

King_Slayer

I don't know why I didn't plan it in my budget! It did slip me though to be fair. I also do not have an annual budget :eek: that would be a good idea that way I can plan ahead for future expenses. Thank you for that!

I also have a vehicle service booked in this Thursday. I pay monthly towards my service so I'm hoping I don't have any surprises.

I've found that the challenges have helped me to save a bit more.

ellesbellesxxx

Just a little tip, but have you tried the supermarket's own brand? I find it so much cheaper than Daz
Sounds like you are doing really well, welldone!

King_Slayer

I've not tried own brand powder, the DAZ is still going at the min so I will give it a try next. Thank you for that

King_Slayer

Had my car serviced today, thanks to the service plan I only had to pay £35, so I'm happy with that. They also highlighted that my tire was fitted incorrectly (by them) so had a brand new tire.

We're camping this weekend and I've spent £71 on supplies, as its my first time with family. I hope I've got everything I need. I've got a checklist as follows

Pillows
Sleeping Bag
Tent (borrowed)
Chairs
Washing kit
Cooking utensils
Food/ Snacks
Water
Drinks
Warm clothing
Wellies

Think I've covered it all.