Time to be honest with myself!

Kitten868

Ugh! Sorry she was vile. I was guessing it was her debt and that's why I said offer half so she can feel like she's won but fair dos not wanting to contact her. Due to the amount I would maybe tackle that one first as that ties you financially to her so if she's run up a load of defaults it can affect your rating and ability to get credit. Plus then you won't have to explain it to your new Mrs oh and is the account frozen? You don't want her racking up more.
The plan sounds great. Your attitude sounds great. You can definitely do this xxxx

InkAndDrink303

@Kitten868 - She was, but that's all done now
No, the account isn't frozen so I will be sure to do that - it hadn't even occurred to be honest. My girlfriend know's of this one, and the loan but not of the rest of it as yet! :eek:

@enjoyyourshoes - Thanks for the verbal smack in the face? It really makes me take a better look at things and I hadn't worked out the numbers like you have so it is actually appreciated. Yes, the Halifax is very high isn't it - thanks for those numbers too! My head was only telling me to tackle the smaller ones first because they were the actual higher interest (where-as the Halifax is an annual number).
I do like the look of your plan, and I do not disagree with your statement about me working out what I actually want from life. I realise this. I've pulled my spending right in,but I can't live on nothing - I will however attempt to pull it in further because I want my money to be my money.
In regards to 'P5' - why would the Lloyds charges dramatically reduce?

@MoneyMission2015 - I'll watch out for that with BarclayCard in that case, thanks for the heads'up!

In case anyone is doubting my sticking power here, I am in the mode of paying these off but I do need to live a little - I cannot get by on nothing, or next to. I'm as frugal as possible but it's 4 weeks (yesterday) until the next payday and I have £405 left in my account now that all has gone out. From that I need to take 4 weeks worth of petrol (I drive in eco/cruise control as much as possible) as well as food, as well as two birthdays (at £20 each) so I really am trying to be careful but I realise I'm not as hard on myself as some here ... and I guess that is/was/will(?) be my undoing.

basketcase

Hi Ink!

Congratulations on the light bulb moment.

I think you really need to do a statement of affairs. That way you'll know exactly what's being spent and how much you'll have left. Also people will be able to suggest (relatively) painless ways to tighten the pursestrings, pay off the debt and still have a life.

Good luck

enjoyyourshoes

Lloyds OD was £65 pm, it may change if their fees structure is based on outstanding debt, so if you were reducing the debt by over £620 pm after you spent the previous 2/3 months paying off Halifax/Burtons/Outfit, then the debt and resultant charge may reduce, but check their details.

Apologies for making it sound like a smack in the face, I was just pointing out facts as they appear to me, maybe I come across as blunt. But facts and numbers illuminate. A previous writer mentioned the Halifax bit I just put numbers against it highlighting the truth (annual Vs monthly)

Reconcile you bank daily with all purchases

Monthly accrue for annual/1.2 & 1/4ly expenses (so save for the MOT etc over §12 months rather than panic)

Discriminate between NEEDS and wants and eliminate wants, thus your debt reduction becomes a priority need rather that a coffee or new dress etc

I know its your money as the apposite is also true its your debt.

InkAndDrink303

A real quick question for you guys, I have an iPad Mini 3 128GB Wifi & Cell on O2 which is £26 p/m, plus £13.50 p/m for the tariff that I don't use and am thinking of selling. It's on a 0% APR deal with O2, and expires September 2017. I'm very tempted to sell it, as I believe I can get around £270 cash for it right now and then plough that money into the Halifax OD. I just let the contract roll and pay the £39 a month at 0%, that makes sense right guys?

I'll respond properly to the other posts in the morning, and thanks as always :T

asparagus1968

gosh, thats a lot of money- £632 over the time until sept 2017?
have you tried calling them and saying you are having difficulty paying, could they offer ANYTHING to help? worth a try!


heres the link to a SOA which you could really do with (and you can post it here too)
http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php




ps. I'd pay off the OD, check you are not financially linked to ex on your credit files, even if she has no debts it can still affect your lendability (is that a word?)


good luck

Wimbrel

Well done on facing up to the debt. I'm on the last stages of my own journey to debt free ( started at £42,500 now have under £3k left to go) and heartily recommend using the snowball. It's amazing how fast the balance drops and how the finish line approaches at increasing speed as you clear one debt then apply that money to the next.

Good luck!

InkAndDrink303

Afternoon

@asparagus1968 - It would appear on my credit file I am still linked to my ex. I'll call Halifax to see if they can remove her from the account. I really don't feel like I should pay the whole thing off to be fair but as I know there is no chance of getting her to put anything in I guess it's mine. Yay.
And yes, you're correct - that iPad is expensive. Very tempted to stick it on eBay actually and get half of that money back and then use that to clear off a couple of the small debts - OR do I pay off whatever I get for it to O2 against the device cost (I think there is £442 left to pay @ £26 per month) and then that means that the contract is pretty much done in the next couple of months.

Thoughts?

InkAndDrink303

@basketcase - Yes, I will do a SOA, hopefully over the weekend or Tuesday if not (and thanks for the link @asparagus1968)

You're so right about the MOT etc @enjoyyourshoes - I wish I had because it's due next month and now I am panicking a little. I'll have to make allowances and find the money as usual! I also believe you are right in regards to the Lloyds OD, the fees will reduce. Everything you have said is correct - I guess it's hard to hear (read) but now is the time to face up to it.

@Wimbrel - That's amazing. Well done you. How long has that taken you?

I bet the feeling is incredible though.

Have a great weekend all, and apologies for the short replies today - manic at work, and it's month end too. Ironically I'm a Buyer - that's my job - shame I've never employed my skills I utilise at work on cost savings to my daily life.

Until next time :beer: