NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

Bobarella

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Hi Bob - sign me up would you please?
My aim for January is to see if I can survive a budget without any income from dh at all - that is what is likely to happen by Feb. So everything else works in towards that - NSDs, stretching, planning, freebies etc. So my stretch target is to have £700 surplus by the end of the month, which feels almost impossible at the moment, but I've done it before and will do it again.

Great to see you back for another month Cat..that is a challenging goal and I wish you oodles of luck with it.

Bobarella

Mrs_Toast wrote: »

Please can I join in again Bob? This challenge has been the most helpful in my debt fighting in the past so need to get on it again. NSDS are something I definitely need

Of course..just working through the new contenders now. Your no will be on page 1.

Bobarella

chocolatelover93 wrote: »

Bob - have PM'd you

Thanks Chocolate!

Bobarella

Eager Elephant - welcome to you..I really hope you find the challenge useful. .your contender number is now on page 1.

DawnW

Really interesting to read other people's aims and reasons for doing the challenge

For me:

1. We are aiming for maximum no spend days this month. There are 31 days in Jan. Aim for at least 21 if not more. I shall try for 21, starting tomorrow
   
   2. Pay to your debt as soon as priority spends are complete. I don't have long term debt, but currently have a credit card that I pay off each month. However, this month, the amount owing is £656.81 :eek:
   
   3. State your intentions. Tell us what your aim is. Why are you seeking this path and what doors do you hope to unlock along the way?
   OH and I are on small work pensions (neither of us are eligible yet for state pensions) with small self employed earnings alongside. So my aim this month is to pay off the credit card without dipping into savings. To be honest, I have been doing this over the previous few months, and it must stop! There are also 3 family birthdays this month, and again, I want to cover these without affecting savings. I must confess to a bit of cheating here – I already covered two of these for presents.
   
   4. Check in every day. The reason we do this is to keep ourselves accountable. If you've set your intentions in a group of like minded people you are less likely to stray from the path. Will try to do this
   
   5. You will donate £5 to a good cause of your choice. The local food bank is my chosen cause
   
   6. Plan your diary. Nothing expensive is planned for January.
   
   7. Plan your grocery spends carefully. After the excesses of Christmas you will probably have spent more than usual on food. I really, really need to do this! I have loads in, and will be aiming to use what I have rather than buying more!
   
   8. Get something for free! Have to think about this!
   
   9. Earn extra My reward credit card is shortly to be dumped, as it is no longer cost effective (Santander have put up the fee). I do surveys, and belong to the panel for the postal survey. Also belong to Quidco, which has been a good earner over the years
   
   10. Check your credit report- if you have a bad credit report it can ruin your chances of getting a mortgage, 0% credit deals, renting a property. For between £0 & £3 you can obtain a copy of yours and check that there is nothing unexpected on it. Joined Noddle. Nothing sinister
   
   Can't wait to get started. Love new beginnings

Bobarella

Wow I sense this is going to be a busy thread. There are now 34 of us taking part in this month's challenge wow!

Apple - I didn't realise redundancy was on the cards for your OH. Sorry to hear it. When will you know for sure?
I would definately close those old cards. I know it isn't an issue you have but the amount of available credit you have already can stop you getting the best deals with some lenders. Not lecturing. You hardly need it

Eager Elephant - great to get to know you more. Obviously a lot there but my thought as you mentioned going to McD was whether you womble the empty cups with a bean on? 10 of those and you get free coffee. You can find mc d cups all over the place.
I see Fun Brum is thinking along the same lines.

Clippy_girl - how annoying to lose your details. Hope you can get logged back in soon.

Fun Brum Some great objectives there. Sounds like the grocery element is going to be good for you. What sort of food does your sisters restaurant sell? What a great perk.

Jeanangeo - I'm blown away by how on it you sound. This challenge will be a breeze!

Dawn - thank you for the great intro post. I can see why you want to keep your savings preserved and not dip into them to pay the monthly card.

stewby

Charity cause sorted.... if anyone has seen the video of the static caravan heading down the river, it is not far from where we live so our charity begins at home this month (well, local to us anyways).

Just to be clear, it isn't just caravans that are affected. Livelihoods have been destroyed (independent shops and restaurants) as well as people's homes. So we are going to provide toiletries, sweets for kids as well as other bits and pieces from the house.

Looking at pictures, it is quite sad to see such a beautiful area being destroyed and some lovely families being driven from their homes in the festive season.


Hugs to everyone and anyone effected, not just up here but all over the UK.
Happy New Year to everyone. Keep safe.

apple_muncher

Bob - redundancy notices will be given at the beginning of feb. So until then, I just need him not to do anything silly with his wage! Re the cc - I do only have 1 now, having only ever had 2max and always paid them off. I use it occasionally to keep it active. I currently foresee no need for seeking credit - though it is the unforeseen that requires it, no?! And we can always draw down on the mortgage to 100k!!

Am loving The World's Strongest Man this year! Final round tomorrow

Fmess

Evening all,
I am spending NYE at home so thought I would use the time wisely and post my intentions.
1. We are aiming for maximum no spend days this month – I will definitely aim for 21 as this will help with me being thrifty and frugal.

2. Pay to your debt as soon as priority spends are complete – I’ve paid as much as possible to my debts since my payday (way back on 23rd December) and will try and make savings on various budgets throughout the month and that off too. To be debt free by 2017, I need to pay £450 off my debt per calendar month, that’s basically £365 above minimum payments. So my stretch target is £450.

3. State your intentions – I want to be debt free by 2017, build an emergency fund and do some home improvements. This month I am starting with the electrics and have saved about £600 to hopefully cover the work.

4. Check in every day – will do, your collective support is what has kept me going over the last two years and especially the last 6 months.

5. You will donate £5 to a good cause of your choice – I have direct debits setup to several charities but will look for another to give £5 too.

6. Plan your diary – I have one social event planned in, which will involve an entry fee for a day out but no other planned spendy events.

7. Plan your grocery spends carefully – I was going to have a £100 food budget but decided to use £24 of that to pay towards the debt to make up to another 1% on my 1% chart.

8. Get something for free! - I will think on this one.

9. Earn extra – I have just signed up to two examining contracts, but they will pay out in May/June/July. I will do any tutoring that comes up, this month but this may not be a lot due to other commitments of my current tutee. I will continue to look for items to list on gumtr33 (I’ve sold 3 items this week J )

10. Check your credit report – I’ve done this for the first time ever (thanks for the prompt bob) and found it very interesting. All seems ok and there is just one old bank account on there that I should perhaps close as I had forgotten it existed.

FunBrum

Bobarella.. at the end of the night they throw out spit roast chicken and lots of salad. I've also had fab quiche and one time had a 6k bag of new potatoes. I usually get on average, 2-3 small chickens a week that I turn into all sorts of dishes. I use what I want and pass the dishes onto friends and family.
I freaks me out that there is so much waste! :eek:

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the start of this challenge.:j