Joined 31.05.16

MyLastFiver

Hiya - I was just reading your post about dating. I met my wife online (we're getting divorced now but don't let that put you off! ) Online dating is loads of fun. Yes you will meet loads of unsuitable weirdos but that's all part of the adventure too

Re your debts, you're obviously very determined and organised. And I think admitting that you're an overspender shows some real self-awareness.

I do detect in your posts that, with your strict budget, you feel like you're depriving yourself, of comforts and luxuries and treats.

I wonder if the way to deal with those spending cravings is to try and build a life in which we learn to enjoy simple pleasures that don't involve spending. In other words, we don't need an austerity regime - we need a new lifestyle

Poor_Single_lady

Thank you everyone for dropping in. The payday week is tough.
Hannah your post made me smile. When your baby is 6 months old I should be loan free, unless its early and then it will be 7months old! You will be the opposite of me, treasuring the days.

I am being lean right now and then relax things a bit post christmas. So I probably am depriving myself a bit and studying too which is tough. I just find it easier all or nothing but I know it probly does sound a bit moany. I feel like september will be a battle and i need to arm myself for the fight. There is so much going on and so many Demands.

Going to pay council tax tommorow so I can tick this one off. Then food shop and bed. Then saturday is hair and home. Not out in the evening. No alcohol.
I am pleased about payday but when the loan is paid i will feel better! xx

System

Another month done, another payment done. I feel like September is going to be a slog too - loads going on.
My payday was today - all now allocated to everything it needs to pay and effectively nothing less!!

Poor_Single_lady

September will be hard for sure. For starters Hair tommorow. Then everything else.

paid council tax today and I also rounded up one of my credit cards to be £3550.
Tried this on second one but need to wait till the min payment direct debit goes through. It's around £4600
3rd Credit card £1900
4th £3080
Loan payment pending to get to £1991.
Spent £3 on lunch, then £8 lidl.
Taking lunch 3 days next week and then lunch out thurs/fri. Monday is off. Very excited! Next payday bringing the £3080 to under the £3000 mark which will definitely feel like progress.

Its one day at a time right now and not all easy. xxx

hannahroberts1985

It's defiantly not easy but it does get easier the longer your used to this new life style. Just think how good it'll feel when we have all that cash left after paying bills and we can decide what to do with it ourselves. Have a good weekend xx

System

Looking good!

louby40

Keep going PSL you're doing great!

Poor_Single_lady

Thanks so much for the encouragement. When I am debt free and look back I think I will wonder how I ever managed. Its so bleak being debt. You feel so awful all the time, I hope I never forget how bad this is. I never want to be in debt ever again. Im trying really hard at the moment. I think the next 3weekends at home are crucial. I feel like I really need to have a handle on the spending and temporarily alcohol intake needs to be cut.

Spent money at the hair dressers today. That was really it for the spending and that was planned for. Although i did buy a lottery ticket and a few scratch cards. Im not sure why. I just felt like them. Its a slippery slope so i don't think that was the best use of my money tho. £4 spend plus £4 on lottery. I dont do that very often but apparently its a raffle tonight and more chances to win so just this once.
That's my confessions for today. More tommorow.

System

Hi PSL - it may be bleak on the one hand, but I'm also finding loads of positives in this fight against the red. For me there's you lot, the happiness in finally having a budget, happiness that DH is more on board than ever before, happy thoughts for the future when we will be DF...that's what I am trying to focus on.
What are your positives? (Ignore me tho if I am annoying!!)

Poor_Single_lady

This is such a helpful post ramble. Thank you. There are loads of positives in this process.

If anything happened to me right now which meant i couldnt pay the debts i would have to go to my parents and they would be so shocked at the financial mess. They would worry about me forever and never trust me again ever. Disappointment would not cover what that would look like.
So once I get to march and hopefully clear 2 debts then left with 3 which I might jiggle around- but this is a much more explainable situation if the worst did happen. I feel like I can't explain an almost empty bank account and 5 debts but possibly can explain 2/3.
5 is a lot! So to be in a position with 2/3 would be fantastic. Major positive.
In the future to be able to go away without stressing about the costs. Major positive.
I know im whinging about this but to free of the loan. Major positive.
To be in charge of the finances rather than ruled by them (or pre lbm ignorant of them) is going to be phenomenal.
And also I know maybe I shouldn't feel like this bit I also get pressured into doing things that I would rather not do. So although it is maybe a bit more selfish i am (finally learning) and picking my social occasions more carefully. And really only doing things (as far as possible) that I prioritise as important. Its taken a lot of work to get bff's on board. work colleagues do not know the situation and think im bonkers. Other friends have been helpful. I am enjoying taking back the control and having a plan. Only went out tuesday last week and really enjoyed it! The other evenings i took for myself and loved it!

My mum has helped me with meal planning and stretching.meals and i know that she is worried which makes me feel guilty. She has noticed my new spending pattern and i know she can probly guess what's going on as mums can see into out brains and know our secrets. I paid for drinks in the pub recently as you do in a family and my dad gave me the money later on. They insisted I took it. This isn't how our family works, my parents are very generous but we all pay our own way for drinks because its not up to the parents to fund alcohol for the 30 year old in work children. As far as I am aware they don't do this for any of my siblings. A bit of me is worried she has read my diary. There is a lot directly from my heart in here. But then they don't really know how to use the internet so its unlike. I think parents just sense these things- I hope! xxx