Joined 31.05.16

Poor_Single_lady

Got very into orange is the new black lately. Quite a thought provoking show. But I am only at the beginning. Quite dark in places. Going to see it to the end. Kind of makes me think my life isn't too bad.
Trying to keep low profile in September but I know October could be hard as well. And November has some outings and December is obviously Christmas so a bit worried about how everything will work out.

1 week to payday. Should be a low key weekend and then a quiet week up to payday. Hoping for no invites and no family or work events.

louby40

I've just finished watching Orange - enjoyed it, like you say quite dark but also funny in places.

SusieT78

Hi PSL,

I'm returning your visit to my diary. Well done on clearing your loan, it must be an amazing feeling to see one of your debts gone forever.
And if my calculations from your original post are correct that's almost 17% of your starting debt cleared in full, very inspirational!

Poor_Single_lady

Hi Suzie. Thank you for popping in. It's really nice - not least because every time I see a new person And post to welcome them. They seem to go away never to be heard of ever again!

I would love to agree but in the interests of honesty I have to say that overall the debt has gone up from the start- but the loan is gone and that's good.
I have a plan but it's slow.

Drank Wednesday to Saturday which hasn't helped this week. Too much going on blights the efforts.
Going out for quick drink Tuesday and then nothing in the diary for ages and ages.

System

PSL I haven't deserted you.

Have you got any plans coming up ? I always start thinking about Christmas once September arrives. Do you buy last minute or like me early on. Do you have lots of pressies to buy?

Being out Wednesday to Saturday won't have helped your pocket I suspect . What is done is done now . Have a peaceful Sunday .

GoingToDoIt

Hi PSL, just caught up with you...I too have been away socialising and spending...
You're doing great. Like you I'm relieved that the summer social is calming down soon. I think it's good that you're reducing the payments closer to the minimum on the 0% cards as you really struggled to make the bigger payments. I know that might seem "wrong" but in reality, you can't afford to "overpay" and then you get down every time you overspend. You need that wiggle room. And the chances are, when the 0% ends on a card, you could transfer to a new card- you were able to get one recently.
Obviously you have to repay the debt and all that, but it's a fair whack of money and you won't get it all paid in the next 12 months, so better I think that you pay consistently and the debt reduces consistently than a stressful and self- defeating cycle of paying over the min and having no money to live off.
Would you consider getting a new bank account for bills only? I really find that it takes the stress out of "waiting for direct debits" to come out.
If you get a deal -where they give you cash each month, as long as you pay in x amount and have 2 direct debits (like my co-0p does, I get about £4) then you have one bank acct just for travel/spends, you know all bills are ok which makes budgeting easier, plus you can try and "save" the bank reward of a few quid each month. Yes it's only a few quid, but I have £45 saved from this at the mo. That's handy free cash if I need it. It could be a "free" leg wax for the start of next summer if you do it from now....

enthusiasticsaver

Is your money tighter than usual this month PSL because you are trying to keep out of your overdraft? Don't forget that you paid off your loan early and for that reason the disposable income you have may seem less than normal even without the £150 loan payment. You have just really transferred your debt from loan to overdraft. £240 for food, entertainment, etc etc does seem tight but you will only have the 5 credit cards once the overdraft gone. I agree with goingtodoit that a separate bank account for your credit card payments and bills is a good idea and one for your spends on discretionary things like food, entertainment, clothes, beauty treatments, furniture etc etc. That way you may feel less like you are constantly juggling money. It is more than £8 per day if you have a lot of NSDs

enthusiasticsaver

Also, going teetotal may help That is meant in the kindest way possible, not a dig. Or perhaps just have alcohol at the weekends. Some of your friends may have a go but you could always say you are cutting back on alcohol for health reasons as well as finances. Also, I don't know about you but drinking alcohol makes me feel hungry afterwards so if you are the same you will save on your food bill too. Double win.

louby40

Ive just opened a new account and have begun to send a set amount over there each month. It's for grocery, petrol and cash/ general spending. First time I've done it during August and it seems to have worked out ok. It doesn't have an overdraft.

My other account is the one my wages are paid into and all of my bills come out of. I shall just let that one tick over.

heartbreak_star

I've not gone either PSL, I'm just a lurker sometimes

Cheering you on from the back haha!

HBS x