No spending for a year ???

1974nicola

OOh. How did you do that? That sounds like a great idea!

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Hey Nicola,


Thank you for your views, it really does help to see others take on the situation and I've realized by doing this diary it not only clears my mind as I'm putting my worries and thoughts out there but seems less scary some how - not sure how that works but I'm not knocking it, lol!!


I'll definitely look into the first time buyers ISA, I've heard a little about it but need to look properly (just need some money to pop in there, lol!!)


And you are right, we would be paying rent forever and a mortgage for 20 years, so it does seem a no brainer if we are eligible - some days I think it's the only way forward and others I panic that as soon as we commit the boiler will go bang, the roof fall off or the car break down and we'd be stuck but I guess that's what all homeowners have to live with unless they're rolling in it!!


As for SW, just happened to notice a sign in LLoyds chemist window detailing free 12 wk referral to either SW or WW if your BMI was over 30 (I think) - sadly my BMI fell into that bracket (Tut!!only just though ☺) so within a couple of days had the voucher delivered to home and I shall mostly be starting back today! - I'm not sure if it's a regional promotion or rolled out over the whole country but definitely worth investigating as all I had to do was pop into a consulting room and be weighted and height measured - I was most impressed!!


Have a great afternoon & thanks again ☺


Lou xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Well, I've already registered online with a Home buyers Isa - that really was a no brainer - just need to work on getting some money in there but even if it's a tiny monthly contribution to begin with it all adds up!!
Also I realize I've had quite a lot of different credit cards over time what with shifting from one to another due to the 0% aspect so I need to identify all of those I no longer use and if still active close the accounts - all of my cards have been chopped up and binned so may need a bit of detective work!!


At the end of the process of debt shedding I guess I'll just keep one credit card active for emergency situations.


Feeling upbeat and positive ☺

asparagus1968

great news, well done.


your credit report will show all your cards on it, I think Noddle is a free one?

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Thanks Asparagus ☺


I'm a bit scared to check my credit report to be honest - I've never been a bad debtor, have always paid every bill I've had but I just think because of the many credit cards & loans I've had in the past that it will go against me - perhaps I'm wrong (hopefully!!)


Lou xx

1974nicola

Morning Lou!

Hope you're well.

Ok - bear in mind that my credit rating is in tatters and therefore I am not the best source of advice - but ...

I have read that it is good for your rating to have unused credit that is available to you rather than closing those accounts. Might be worth checking before you close them.

I also use noddle, Asparagus. I think it's good too. Clear and loads of details. (My rating is a measly 1/5 but I have no shame)

Good luck xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Hi lovely, i've quickly checked on noddle and i'm 3/5 - doesnt sound that good to me !!

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Afternoon all,


So back to Noddle, my score is 3/5 (583) - how would I go about raising my credit score??


Monthly finances taken a bit of a battering as I took my eye off the ball just for a second or two, honest!!
Half term week with DD's meant I spent more than I was expecting, which inevitably has meant an increase on this months OD, I reckon it's gonna be around the £150 mark if I'm lucky & then there's the weekend away I've just booked (from savings so no impact on OD) - definitely non essential spends but in light of DD's constantly referring to how great it will be when we go away etc etc we decided to bite the bullet and book a £15 each sunny hol, will inevitably be just over the hundo mark when all paid but I so don't want the kids to feel like paupers!
Few things listed on eb@y at the mo, so hoping to make my fortune there this week, lol!!
Spends this week down to £10 (disaster recovery from last week!!), which is all I can spend to ensure OD is £150 and no more.


Not a great financial start to the week but things can only get better !!


Lou xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

My favourite kind of morning today, cold, sunny and very uplifting, shame about the minor detail of work encroaching on my social life, lol!!


Well, feeling a tad brighter this morning - Had the joy of food shopping yesterday and came in under budget by £20 (woo hoo) - picked up some yellow label items too as it was nearing the end of the day and had a slap up nosh last night for 44p - individual quiche, 9p, massive bag of rice noodles 15p, large pot of onion & chive dip 5p & mushroom stir fry 15p - picked up some bakery bargains too (12 large white rolls 18p (now in the freezer), French stick 5p & some doughnuts 10p!)
The SW dreaded scales had to be faced last night too but fortunately 4lbs off, hopefully as the weight goes down the finances will go up ☺☺☺


Have a great day
Lou xx

NO-SPENDING-FOR-A-YEAR

Oh & OD on track to be £100 rather than £150 - phewwwwwww


A few [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL] sales hopefully too will reduce it further!!