Feel so alone

Popstess

Only been completing surveys for less than 2 weeks too so pretty good going

Dalradian

I had a £4k credit card debt that was before all the 0% dealscame about bht the balance just seemed to keep growing. My breakthrough was starting to pay for everything with cash made spending real - rather than adding it to a card.
The other area was getting an emergency fund to cover the £400 car repair bill, or the insurance payments, or other time dependant payment. By using cash i disconnected spending to my credit limit and spent towards my monthly income. Being in sales i tended to excuse any shortfall to my commission, but i now realise i have to average the income and build a fund to cushion reduced income when payments are low.
You have the right ideas, find out what things work for you. Not spending and using up freezer was key to try and get cash payments for all spends in place (still took couple months) whikst building up funds for regular and one off spends

12_month_challenge

Do you know what. I think you are secretly ME :rotfl:

I too also stack everything on cards this time of year. I tend to panic,grab CCs, hit the shops,buy what I need or want. Then comes the panic of OMG now my debt has gone up and Bury my head even further. :eek:

I have explained to my lot that I will not be buying things for the sake of it this year etc etc. They are both older and said
"Mum we don't even really need anything" Its just that old habits die hard. I will just get them a few basic prezzies and not overdo it.

I am literally going to stick to my budget because I keep thinking that in 36 days the shops will be closed and its all over again for another year.

Try not to stress too much about it pops. At the start of the new year just imagine its a fresh new start to continue on your journey and a whole 12 months until this time again.. Challenge yourself on how much damage you can do to your debt in the 12 months.

Popstess

Dalradian wrote: »

I had a £4k credit card debt that was before all the 0% dealscame about bht the balance just seemed to keep growing. My breakthrough was starting to pay for everything with cash made spending real - rather than adding it to a card.
The other area was getting an emergency fund to cover the £400 car repair bill, or the insurance payments, or other time dependant payment. By using cash i disconnected spending to my credit limit and spent towards my monthly income. Being in sales i tended to excuse any shortfall to my commission, but i now realise i have to average the income and build a fund to cushion reduced income when payments are low.
You have the right ideas, find out what things work for you. Not spending and using up freezer was key to try and get cash payments for all spends in place (still took couple months) whikst building up funds for regular and one off spends

Hi Dalradian :hello:
I think it's a good idea used cash instead of cards. Freezer is also a good idea, I've been freezing meals when I use my slow cooker so I have casseroles and stews etc in my freezer so next weeks shopping I'm hoping I can cut my shopping bill really low in the coming week and have meals from the freezer 3 nights.

Popstess

12_month_challenge wrote: »

Do you know what. I think you are secretly ME :rotfl:

I too also stack everything on cards this time of year. I tend to panic,grab CCs, hit the shops,buy what I need or want. Then comes the panic of OMG now my debt has gone up and Bury my head even further. :eek:

I have explained to my lot that I will not be buying things for the sake of it this year etc etc. They are both older and said
"Mum we don't even really need anything" Its just that old habits die hard. I will just get them a few basic prezzies and not overdo it.

I am literally going to stick to my budget because I keep thinking that in 36 days the shops will be closed and its all over again for another year.

Try not to stress too much about it pops. At the start of the new year just imagine its a fresh new start to continue on your journey and a whole 12 months until this time again.. Challenge yourself on how much damage you can do to your debt in the 12 months.

Haha we're kindred stress busting spirits!!!!!

I am determined to not put a thing on credit this year so it means cutting down and cutting down again. My sons still young (12) he's a good lad and won't be expecting lots. But I still want to treat him. But it's tough isn't it I can only buy what I can afford. I think I'm still paying for things I bought last Xmas on my very account
Yea you're right Xmas is not something to get into debt for. It's not worth it x

amber03

Look how much different you are from when you started your journey, planning budgeting, probably words you didn't use before this started. Over the next couple of weeks it will be difficult for most people. Don't beat yourself up over it, you will feel a lot more calmer in January when you can really start making a dent in your debt.xx

Popstess

amber03 wrote: »

Look how much different you are from when you started your journey, planning budgeting, probably words you didn't use before this started. Over the next couple of weeks it will be difficult for most people. Don't beat yourself up over it, you will feel a lot more calmer in January when you can really start making a dent in your debt.xx

Thanks Amber!
Honestly I am like a different person I only wish I'd had my LBM sooner!!!!
Nope I wasn't budgeting, planning, I was just spending and burying my head in the sand trying not to think about it all. It was like I thought well I'm in all this debt anyway abd u can't get outbid it so I might as well keep adding to it. God knows what I was thinking!! In fact I wasn't thinking!!!!
I feel like I've had a HUGE wake up call. Can't wait to be debt free one day :T

Popstess

I have nearly £35 in my EF now sounds a pathetic amount but I'm really pleased with that considering in building it up with pence!!! I've never had an emergency fund in my life!

Dizzy_Imp

Popstess wrote: »

I have nearly £35 in my EF now sounds a pathetic amount but I'm really pleased with that considering in building it up with pence!!! I've never had an emergency fund in my life!

Brilliant! I've been very glad of my EF on more than one occasion. Any amount saved is excellent - keep at it.

Christmas is going to be lean for us this year, so you're not alone, but when I think about it, what does anyone actually need? Warmth...tick, food...tick, mulled wine....tick tick tick...Oh, erm :embarasse...roaring log fire...tick, and the love of their friends and family...tick. No-one needs the latest smartphone, hair straighteners or sheepskin boots - you might want them, but that's different. I'm making lots of pressies this year - pickled onions, chutney, damson gin and pressed leaf pictures (very pretty, honest) which I hope will be appreciated, but if not? Hey! One less present to worry about next year :rotfl:

f0xh0les

Great news on the EF! £35 is not to be sniffed at.
And don't forget, if you get a post-Xmas/ start of New Year crash, and it all seems a bit much

February is a really short month!!!
29 days between paydays

And if you pay your Council Tax in 10 installments, March and April are free!