Grabbing the bull...

Dramaqueen33

Good evening Debt Free Wannabes

Having been on and off these boards for a little while the time is right for me to grab the bull by the horns and get a hold of my debts. I have made some progress over the years but recently got a pay rise at work which is going to allow me to make some real changes in my life.

I'm already paying into the Auto Enrollment pension which feels great and I have moved one debt to a 0% interest rate credit card. The next step is a new bank account and because of my mortgage I think Sandanter 123 account is going to be good for me financially. However I know their customer service reputation is appalling! Has anyone got any advice or experience of them to help me make a decision?

I'm also going to stop my cable subscription in favour of Now TV?Netflicks etc. Does anyone have any thoughts on the boxes you can add to your TV to watch those apps? Or is it better value longterm to invest in a smart TV?

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom! X

rockabillygirl

I didn't want to read and run. Good luck on your journey.

Bobarella

Hi Dramaqueen

We used to watch Netflix on our laptop but found it too uncomfortable. Our 7 year old flatscreen died and we decided to go for a smart TV. It is much better. Of course we went for the best priced one and shopped around

Good luck
Bob

Dramaqueen33

Hey thanks rockabillygirl! You too

Bobarella that's good to know. I'm thinking that all the extra bits and all the cables will send me mad and that maybe a new TV is the better long term option. Need to do some costings I guess...

Managed to move another credit card to a 0% interest last night so progress progress but tomorrow is the dreaded MOT and servicing and then road tax at the end of the month! Fingers crossed the car passes eeek!

Dramaqueen33

I have been reading some very inspiring diaries in my lunch break and have been reminded of the NDS

Now, I am actually quite good at taking my lunch to work but I know I am guilty of the odd unnecessary spends here and there...a can of fizzy drink from the shop, a coffee on my way into the office.

So decision made - I will aim to have 4 no spend days during the week days. This obviously excludes travel but it certainly should help me cut out all the little extras. Today I spent £2 at the shop. This way I could save £8 a week = £32 a month. Which is more than my mobile phone bill! A sobering piece of perspective!

Has anyone used budgeting apps? I've tried a couple but haven't found one I got on with/was inspired to keep using. I think something like this might really help. Any tips would be great

Hope you all have a lovely, debt fighting, afternoon X

Dramaqueen33

So small victory last night...worked late and was hungry on the way home. I had change in my pocket and it would have been so easy to pop into somewhere on the way home and bought a snack or a drink - but NO! I stayed strong - waited until I got home and made dinner with what I had in the fridge. It was probably the smallest amount saved but it showed how easily I can spend without really being mindful of what I am doing. Bought in lunch with left overs from last night so feeling good!

Have a great day everyone! Keep watching those pennies

Makalu

I too am in the same position at the moment. Good luck

tunnelandlight

Dramaqueen33 wrote: »

So small victory last night...worked late and was hungry on the way home. I had change in my pocket and it would have been so easy to pop into somewhere on the way home and bought a snack or a drink - but NO! I stayed strong - waited until I got home and made dinner with what I had in the fridge. It was probably the smallest amount saved but it showed how easily I can spend without really being mindful of what I am doing. Bought in lunch with left overs from last night so feeling good!

Have a great day everyone! Keep watching those pennies

Well done DQ! It isn't easy saying no to yourself especially when your tummy/ brain is screaming at you that you deserve a treat!! I wish I always had your willpower. And I didn't live within easy walking distance of a convenience store. Whatever the state of your debts you've made a good start. I have found this diary business really helpful and the hints and tips you get from people who know what it's like are invaluable..


Well done and keep it up. Debt be gone (ASAP)!
XX

Dramaqueen33

Haha well my willpower is certainly somethings that comes and goes but on Wednesday it was strong!!

Another lovely thing last night - went to meet a friend who'd I not seen in months and we were meant to be going to a gig. I drove just to make it easier to get home (and also to avoid spending on beer!) and instead of going to the gig we went for dinner and they paid! Hadn't mentioned my debt free ambitions - they just wanted to as a gesture So again money saved. Put £5 into my piggy bank to celebrate!

Quick tip: Morrisons have some good reductions on hair care and laundry bits! Popped in this morning to buy my lunch ( to avoid expensive cafes) and picked up some bits for a bargain!

Happy Friday Y'all X

Dramaqueen33

So have joined a challenge for June :A

20 no spend days
19 take lunch to work days

I was thinking earlier that I need to set up standing orders for the 2 cards I am paying off. Both are 0% but the MBNA has the higher amount so gonna tackle that first. The minimum payments are around £50 a month (maybe less - need to wait until my 1st statement arrives). They won't let me set up a DD for any other amount so need to set up a standing order. I can afford to pay £200 per month. Would love to see it under the £3000 mark by end of August so £200x3 = £600 then I'm going to aim to save loose change/sell bits/overtime £100 per month = £300 bringing it down to a much less daunting £2800.

I guess if you carry on with the maths I could get it down to £1600 by the end of the year. Mmm food for thought and it all suddenly feels a bit more manageable. And motivational. Plus of course they'll still be taking the minimum payment....

Right it's decided. Personal challenge: MBNA Card £1600 by end of 2016.

Go tot get back to work - DF diaries are too addictive lol!

Dramaqueen33

Morning Everyone!

Hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend

It went by so quickly! So money saving...hmm. I guess I haven't been too bad but do feel that I took my eye off it slightly over the weekend.

Friday eve popped into see my folks and then went home for dinner. Was tempted to grab a bottle of wine from the shop on my way home but knew there was a bottle of beer in the fridge so resisted and had that instead - No spend!

Saturday I was in for most of the day doing some bits at home, went for a run and then went to M&S and bought a small picnic for Sunday. Mistake. It was late in the day, I was meeting my OH in the evening and ran out of time to make food. Spent about £20, which did include 2 cans of Gin and Tonic, soft drinks and sandwiches etc but a real classic case of spending too much unecessarily.

Saturday bought dinner for me and my OH. Was planned and only went to the local pub - £25 in total. He bought coffe and dessert.

Sunday I took my Dad to the rugby as an early Father's Day treat. He loved it! I'd bought the tickets in February so all accounted for. Had the picnic on the way down. Also had a beer at the ground which I admit was again a silly spend but so nice in the atmosphere and sunshine! £5.

A take away in the evening paid for by my folks was a lovely way to finish the day.

Then quite surprisingly a NSD yesterday (excluding tube fare). Brunch was from stores (delicious sausage casolet with an egg instead of a fry up lol), then free enrty in to a gallery, coffee bought by a friend and then OH bought dinner in return for Saturday! Got home without buying any fizzy drinks on the way lol

Today £20 of petrol in the car and I forgot to bring the leftovers from brunch for lunch. Ugh not a great start! I have 89p in my purse and 75euros which I was going to save for a future trip abroad. Am thinking though I should exchange them and use the money towards the £100 per month I want to find for MBNA. I'd be ahead then and it's not even June yet lol!

Overall not a total distaster of a spending weekend but as they saying goes "could do better".