Reality Check...

ani*fan

Hi there Reality_Check :hello:

Lovely to meet you and thanks for sharing your story. I just read your diary from cover to cover and you have motivated me a lot. There are SO many of is who do the same as you have been doing, working hard to pay off the debt, then overspending the next month and undoing all your hard work. I can feel your frustration!

It has been really difficult for me to get an idea of what my money is worth and how much I can actually afford to pay for things. I believe it has taken me years to work that out. However, I have been credit card free for more than 6 months now and therefore have to live within my budget as there is nowhere to borrow from. I am stunned to report that it is actually possible! And so empowering!

Congratulations on getting your first card paid off. That deserves a gigantic pat on the back. :beer:(Or a beer, or whatever :cool:). You're doing good. I would say keep posting on here, keep thinking about it all and when you do fall off the wagon, because you will from time to time, get back on it as fast as you can. The effect is accumulative. At some point the good debt busting times will massively outweigh the less good times, and your debt will keep going down.

I've subscribed.

Trixxibell

Well done on clearing the credit card......please, please cancel it. It's the most important key xxx it's scary to let it go but you will be glad you did xxx

I can't wait to be where you are xxx

Tjh1412

Well done on clearing the card

reality_check

Thanks everyone, I will call M&S either today if they are open or tomorrow in work and get the card closed down!

Leaves me with Santander, Barclays and Virgin. I only know the PIN for barclays but all cost me interest on new purchases so I won't be touching these.

Had a quiet weekend, but the sun has been shining so I have enjoyed relaxing. Spent £6 in Home Bargains on oven cleaner, bleach and some essential chocolate. I noticed they sell birthday cards for 39p! Never looked at them before but they are actually nice for the money so that is where future cards will be coming from, but I have a backlog of cards to get through first.

I could have killed my daughter yesterday!! I was in her room stripping her bedding off for the wash, and a strategically placed towel caught my eye, lifted it up and a big circle of FAKE TAN was on the carpet!!!!! :eek::eek::eek: <<<<< this really was my face!!!

I called her and she didn't even seem bothered or apologetic, apparently she never told me because I would go "crazy and over react" - of course I would!! I decided to test out how bleach cleanable these carpets really are...some bleach mixed with water and soap powder and then using a towel to suck it all up...it worked! Checked this morning and it has def gone. It is a pale grey carpet so a big brown blob could hardly not be noticed if it never came up so I told her she would be paying for a new carpet...I was told it didn't bother her anyway and just not to go her in her room :mad: I was also told I have a sad pathetic life if I am that bothered over a stain on a carpet :rotfl: I def have a sad life then!

Meeting my friend in half an hour or so to go a walk with our dogs so that will be nice for a catch up and then need to pop into Lidl and buy a chicken for a roast later, some milk and not much else.

Enjoy the sunshine xx

milasavesmoney

I'm sure you are very angry at both the cover up, subsequent way she refused to take responsibility and then turned the blame on you. Not nice! Very immature response. My OH does this from time to time and he is retired! I never let him get away with it either. And besides that is not 'her' room. She should have no expectation of privacy unless she's paying rent. I raised six of those little pip squeaks! :eek:

reality_check

I think she was saying it to wind me up even more - it worked!! That is my classic line "it's my house, so it's not your room!" :rotfl: Anyway, I am over it now, she brought in a lovely walnut and pecan cake to try sweeten me up, and the mark has fully disappeared so all has been forgiven. I applaud you with 6.

Spent £40 on petrol last night so that should do me a week and a bit.

Monday again! My legs are killing me after a 7 mile hike. Ok, it was a walk but felt like a hike!! Still waiting on all direct debits to come off and see what I'm left with. Lunch, fruit and water in with me so no spends today.

Happy Monday....xx

reality_check

Made a quick call to M&S to close my card, apparently I can’t until the 22nd until they produce a 0 balance statement. Also, something about a direct debit pending, but it might or might not come off…if it does will be in credit, will refund and then I can close it. Basically a load of hassle I just want to close it down!! Have cut the card up so it is as good as gone I suppose.

reality_check

NSD out the window! £2 towards someones baby and £3 for someone's charity run...all change out my purse, but for once I like them both so doesn't feel as bad paying up. Also I can def forgive myself for cancelling any monthly charity contributions, working in my work I do my bit...albeit forcefully!

milasavesmoney

Seven miles is def a hike in my book!

Hurray for one card gone!

We love our babies don't we! Cake is almost an apology. Yum! But they can be brats!

Our new garden is progressing very slowly. It's driving OH crazy but I remind him it's DS's project. DS is 36 yrs and lives with us...Aspergers. He has a different way of doing things (very precise) and must be within his own framework of thinking. It can be challenging at times. But he is just an incredible person. He is on disability income.

On a plus note I have lost 6 lb in the last two weeks! I have a lot more to go but am feeling positive about this accomplishment.

Have a great work week!

Smodlet

I truly apologise I do not have time to read your whole diary so, if this has already been mentioned, I am sorry. If your dog/dogs are under 7 or 8 years old and their current medical condition(s) are now resolved, you could possibly consider trying to take out pet insurance again. Even if the condition(s) are ongoing, depending on their severity, you might still get cover excluding those conditions, if you think this would be of any use? It would still cover them for being (heaven forbid) hit by a car and could save you money in the long run.

Another suggestion I have read on MSE is to put money aside each month for vet bills rather than take out insurance but personally, I prefer the peace of mind insurance gives. The excess may be high but it's a heck of a lot lower than paying for disasters yourself.

Just a thought and I hope this helps.