Considering DMP - SOA advice please

LittleDutchgirl

Hi there Alice (love the name)
I didn't want to read and run but just try and emphasise that it does get easier as you get into it and establish new habits. Like foxgloves I had debt for years that I could manage (goodness knows how much I've paid in interest over the years) and never budgeted properly. The light bulb flickered in January 2013 when I started totting up my debt and trying to get on top of it. For four months I took one step forward, two steps back and then the light bulb really went on. I took stock of all my direct debits, the over payments to the utility companies, claimed back an overpayment to a phone company and started budgeting properly. I started to record everything I spent and really look at what I was spending money on. I read this forum obsessively (still do!) and while I don't post much I hang out here a lot when I need inspiration. I have an emergency fund - and that is a huge step for me. I didn't get it immediately and but it gets easier as you go along and now I have almost paid off my debt (I was able to bounce it all onto a 0% credit card) and the final payment is this month. I have savings and I feel so much more affluent even though I spend much less. I have control over money and for years (decades?) I lurched from one crisis to another convinced I didn't earn enough money.
Listen to everyone here and I guarantee your life will the soooo different in six months time.
Keep posting and tell us how you get along
LDg

AliceBanned

Thanks LittleDutchGirl, that's so encouraging! . Well done for getting near the end of your debt-free journey.

AliceBanned

I just got some anxiety about a rent and service charge overpayment that I claimed back earlier today. I was advised that it would be sent by BACS within 28 days. I don't trust the company though as they are a bit unreliable.


Would it be illegal to overcharge me nearly £40pm because of the DD? I don't know why they set it so high - the guy on the phone said the same and commended me for keeping an eye on things. I told him that I was looking for money to get through the rest of this month!! I wish they hadn't taken it in the first place but surely they have to replace it asap?

crazy_cat_lady

Have you seen A Girl Called Jack, for excellent recipes on a budget?

AliceBanned

Thanks..will have a look!

Started my new travel to work plan today. Drive and either tube or bus instead of train. Saving £6 per day at least!

foxgloves

Shopping at Aldi saves loads, especially if you plan your meals for the week ahead & really stick to your shopping list. Shopping around is the best thing. Our main shop each week is done at Aldi, but we also use the local market for fruit & veg, & the local butcher. We also use Waitrose for the more specialist items we can't get at Aldi. It shouldn't be where you shop that determines how much you spend, it's the other way round. You set your budget, then plan meals for the week which come within that. As soon as you're budgeting properly, you'll see how overspending your grocery budget by say, £20 because you bought a few things on impulse which weren't on your list, will impact the rest of your budget. That £20 was probably destined for a debt over payment. Budgeting took us decades to accept, but it has truly changed our lives. The feeling of being in control at last actually feels game-changing.
f x

AliceBanned

It feels good organising my meals. Suddenly takeaways and restaurant meals seem really expensive! Will be a nice occasional treat in the future though.


I am going to try using the slow cooker a bit more. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Still experimenting.:)

HappyMJ

AliceBanned wrote: »

It feels good organising my meals. Suddenly takeaways and restaurant meals seem really expensive! Will be a nice occasional treat in the future though.


I am going to try using the slow cooker a bit more. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Still experimenting.:)

You try making a home made pizza one day and cost all the ingredients out yourself and then you'll wonder how on earth do take away pizza outlets get away with charging so much....I do like pizza but can now never ever justify buying one from one of the large chains ever again.

firesidemaid

Hi AB!


Didn't want to read & run the other day, so subscribed to your thread so I could come back & visit.


I can see you've already had lots of great advice.


Great news re. saving £6 a day - now to find lots more of those types of savings so they become the norm.


I second Aldi - but not for everything, you need to know your prices - and have been trying things out. The super six options are really good, got 2 mahoosive Caulis this week for 39p each. Used to buy Kells Crunchy Nut CFlakes (but only when half price), but tried theirs at 99p and I actually like them better! The cheddar cheese is great at £1.55 too.


Also, if you are having a 3 course meal for lunch every day - do you really need much for dinner?


Good luck x

AliceBanned

firesidemaid wrote: »

Hi AB!


Didn't want to read & run the other day, so subscribed to your thread so I could come back & visit.


I can see you've already had lots of great advice.


Great news re. saving £6 a day - now to find lots more of those types of savings so they become the norm.


I second Aldi - but not for everything, you need to know your prices - and have been trying things out. The super six options are really good, got 2 mahoosive Caulis this week for 39p each. Used to buy Kells Crunchy Nut CFlakes (but only when half price), but tried theirs at 99p and I actually like them better! The cheddar cheese is great at £1.55 too.


Also, if you are having a 3 course meal for lunch every day - do you really need much for dinner?


Good luck x

Thanks firesidemaid! I hope I can keep up the travel thing - it adds an extra two hours to my travelling each day (both ways) but gives me a bit more exercise too.

Thanks for the tips on Aldi.


In theory I shouldn't need much in the evening. I am going to try homemade soups. Usually have something like a small stir fry with chicken or a pasta dish. I eat lunch around 12:30 and get home at 7pm so I usually get quite hungry by the time I'm home. I eat some fruit in the afternoon. I am also dieting a bit but only need to lose about 3 kg. Then again I often exercise quite a lot so need to eat enough.


I could take more advantage of the food at work but it is a bit hit and miss. I always choose a veggie lunch as I don't like their meat dishes - don't like meat much in general. There is usually a cooked pudding and a soup. I have a small soup and main and then some fruit. Sometimes the main is just baked potato and salad, depends what is on the menu, and often I feel another cooked meal in the evening but sometimes if going out I can just grab a sandwich. I did forego bread and butter pudding at work yesterday - lovely but obviously no nutrition there.:)