Reality Check...

reality_check

It does feel great!! I feel more in control. I have the money in a savings account that I don't have a bank card for, but I do have online access which maybe is a bad thing....but for now I am focused and won't be going near it!

Only minimum payments and a few over payments can happen this month but I can live with that. I have put £150 aside to pay my daughter and hoping to be able to add another £200 to this meaning I have paid back £500/£1500 by my next pay day and hopefully clear this next month with Mays' pay and that's one debt down!!

This weekend I spent....NOTHING! Well i did spent £40.22 on petrol and £10.76 on food but those spends were from planned budgets. I am hoping not to buy anymore food this week and work with what I have in and be able to transfer £20 into my Find £200 in May fund.

I did get a bill from the vet through for £58 this was from the night we took my dog in and then rushed to the animal hospital and I completely forgot all about it until I got the letter on Friday so need to call up and pay that, unexpected and now planned for but these things happen.

This weekend I was watching my sisters kids, she gave me a voucher to take them to soft play which including entry and lunch, I took a bottle of water with me and then on Sunday it was nice weather so we took the dog to the park and met up with my friend and her kids the same age. I nearly suggested a McDonalds, but took them back home and made lunch before my sister picked them up - impressed with myself...maybe I am finally getting a hang of this paying off and not spending thing.

To anyone reading this hope you all had a good weekend xx

milasavesmoney

The no McD's is impressive! When I wondered where my money was going I found it was dribbling out here and there and everywhere. Plugging those holes is a huge accomplishment. Good for you!!:T:T:T

reality_check

It is the little things that all add up mixed in with unplanned disasters creeping up and then the general over spending...I've always known this but continued to live in denial and live beyond my means.

Forgot to bring mug into work for free tea/coffee, could really go a cup of tea but I refuse to buy one, so free water out the water machine it is. Again I have brought lunch and snacks with me so no spends.

Working late today, need to pick my dog up from my mums and then home and make dinner and have an early night, really tired today from over sleeping last night.

Received an email from British Gas as part of their rewards to fill in a form and I now have a free box of 12 Hotel Chocolat chocolaes on their way to me! When I logged in my £34.50 a month for gas I pay which I knew was too little was sitting at £40.01 in debit...I paid this and got an email saying thanks for paying we will take £26 next month from your direct debit?! WHY?! I am clearly not paying enough so don't take less from me...will need to call them but from previous calls to their energy team I am not looking forward to it!

I am sure I have 2 old phones to put onto Envirofone, need to check I never binned them, but hopefully can get something for them, Iphone 5c colored ones, don't work but can still get cash back...I think!

reality_check

:eek: OMG!! DISASTER!!! :eek:

Last night I was writing in my diary renewal dates for insurances, MOT etc...I couldn't find anything to do with my home insurance....turns out I never renewed it, I remember spending loads of time comparing but never actually got a deal that I took out and I've had no building or contents insurance for months!!! Luckily nothing has happened but what an awful oversight!!! Sorted it last night but still can't believe it! Anyway, it's done now and on a credit card and will be paid off hopefully within this month, just never had time on the phone to start moving money about and just wanted to pay it and have cover.

Done some calculations on my debt:

Credit cards: £8900
Daughter: £1100
Bank of Dad: £7000

Total: £17,000 :eek:

the £10,000 is my priority and will hopefully be in the 9's before next pay day!!

milasavesmoney

That reminds me, I don't think one of my rentals has insurance. I have always done direct payment and somehow I missed that it's not coming.out monthly. I noticed this when I was going over my statement and then promptly forgot to call.

I'm so glad you realized your plight!!!

reality_check

Oh no, give them a call and double check! I thought I was being super organised with noting the renewal dates, never thought would find out I never actually had one of the most important insurances you're meant to have :rotfl:

note3

Wow so thrilled for you...since I last checked in you've had a major shift and seem so focused! Well done

chevalier

What a relief to notice the no insurance before you had a problem.

And milasavesmoney don't forget to get your sorted either. It is almost more important on rentals, in case someone trashes the place...
chev

reality_check

I have noticed myself that I do feel more focused...long may it last! Spent yesterday in work looking at "cheap" summer holidays until I gave myself a good shake and told myself that won't be happening this year.

I did spend £10 yesterday on an eyebrow thread and tint with a £1 tip...so much for not tipping, but yesterday was actually an abnormal pleasant experience. Tonight I am going for dinner and a few drinks, not sure how much it will cost, but it will come out of my spending money budget...I am really liking the realistic approach of giving myself a set amount and sticking to it unlike before when I put all to debt leaving nothing to spend to inevitably having to use a credit card. Plus I never had a limit of what to spend so never really thought about it.

Happy Friday, enjoy the weekend!! xx

reality_check

reality_check wrote: »

:eek: OMG!! DISASTER!!! :eek:

Last night I was writing in my diary renewal dates for insurances, MOT etc...I couldn't find anything to do with my home insurance....turns out I never renewed it, I remember spending loads of time comparing but never actually got a deal that I took out and I've had no building or contents insurance for months!!! Luckily nothing has happened but what an awful oversight!!! Sorted it last night but still can't believe it! Anyway, it's done now and on a credit card and will be paid off hopefully within this month, just never had time on the phone to start moving money about and just wanted to pay it and have cover.

Done some calculations on my debt:

Credit cards: £8900
Daughter: £1100
Bank of Dad: £7000

Total: £17,000 :eek:

the £10,000 is my priority and will hopefully be in the 9's before next pay day!!

I also can't do maths:

Credit cards: £10,700 - How I missed £1800 I don't know, don't even have a card with that balance, just basic math skills, no wonder I am in debt!
Daughter: £1050
Bank of Dad: £7000

Total: £18,750

SO, £11,750 is the priority and come May's pay day I will hit the 10's!