My debt free diary - getting my life on track

hannahroberts1985

Morning,

It's so stressful being the one arranging but good call on picking things that people will have to pay for themselves. You will probably have to clover deposits but will end up with extra cash on the night. A game I've seen is a quiz about the bride. Where did she meet the groom? What's her new name going to be? Where are they honeymooning? What's your funniest memory of the bride? It can be easily typed up and printed off so is free and will fill about half an hour. A good ice breaker too if there is lots of people who don't know each other. Hopefully as your out and about you won't need decorations. I've also made a bag full of forfeits/challenges before which people pick out then have to complete during the night? This can be kept as clean or as dirty as you like. This can also be typed and printed off. Get someone to buy you a drink? Get a photo with a stag party/doorman/police officer? Pretend your name is Dave all night. Etc maybe her this out later on when the drink has been flowing so people are more up for it? It does totally depend on the croud though and what you think the bride will enjoy. Xx

hannahroberts1985

Also it's not everyone thing but if you wanted sashes/!!!! straws etc I know they sell all that classy type of stuff in the pound shops! The local bar will reserve you an area if you say you have a few going and you could maybe pop and put a few bits out first....but then I know again this isn't everyone's thing x

rexelpink

Afternoon diary,


Just quickly checking in on an (unofficial) break at work!


Took DD to the hospital this afternoon, the cast is off yay! - Im not convinced they haven't done it a bit sooner, but apparently it was more of a fracture then a break, so will keep an eye on it. Would have been happier if they had done another xray before making the decision but hey ho. If there are any issues, I will take her back this week.


Been screened out of a lot of surverys this week, is that normal? Only been able to complete 1 all week, the rest I get a few questions in and then told that I don't fit the criteria.. Annoying!


Hen night plans going slowly, thanks for the tips Hannah
It is her vowel renewal so slightly different from a hen night, although they are going to the carribean to renew their vows, so are sort of having a second wedding I guess.

rexelpink

Pressed send too soon...


I've got 5 confirmed, including me and the 'hen' so a small group. On the plus side we can get a bit 'wilder' with the dares and games as the night goes on if she doesn't need to worry about looking professional infront of staff.
I have a feeling this number will go up to about 8 or 9 next week.


I cant pay deposits upfront, cant afford it lol!

hannahroberts1985

Maybe a Facebook group and telling people whe the money need to be with you buy....give yourself a day or two extra before it's due for slow coaches. Then when someone pays they'll message the group then everyone else will get a kick up the bum? X

Huskyrunner

rexelpink wrote: »

Afternoon diary,


Just quickly checking in on an (unofficial) break at work!


Took DD to the hospital this afternoon, the cast is off yay! - Im not convinced they haven't done it a bit sooner, but apparently it was more of a fracture then a break, so will keep an eye on it. Would have been happier if they had done another xray before making the decision but hey ho. If there are any issues, I will take her back this week.


Been screened out of a lot of surverys this week, is that normal? Only been able to complete 1 all week, the rest I get a few questions in and then told that I don't fit the criteria.. Annoying!


ight plans going slowly, thanks for the tips Hannah
It is her vowel renewal so slightly different from a hen night, although they are going to the carribean to renew their vows, so are sort of having a second wedding I guess.

it depends which sites you are using?????

alot of sites will boot you if you try too go through the question answers too quick too

Poor_Single_lady

Hope you are ok Rexelpink. And life is treating you well. :hello::wave::wave::wave::wave:
Im not very good at icons and im not sure they work on my phone but that's supposed to be a big hello wave. There's a rexelpink space on the forum. :sad:

rexelpink

Hello diary! Remember me?!?

Wow it’s been 18 months since I started this diary and I have seriously neglected it!

We have managed to pay roughly 1k of debt in that time, much much slower then I had hoped, but I guess it’s better then adding another 1k on to it!

Tonight I am going to look at my current balances compared with when I started.

Financially we are in a much better place now then when I started, DH is back working now which makes a massive difference. My plan to eventually buy my house will happen in the next 18 months... because this time I do actually have a plan.
I’ve made myself a 2018 budget, it covers for 7k to be saved this year. (Should hit 10k with my March bonus but I don’t know the exact amount I will get and it’s not guaranteed so I won’t include it)
I’ve allocated a certain amount to put away every month, and I’ve taken into consideration things like birthdays, childcare over the summer holidays etc it’s a stretch but not a reach... aka I could do better, but I figured that if I plan to allow some money for treats etc in those months I’m much less likely to fail! That’s the theory anyway!

For now I am focusing on saving as much as possible till April, keep on making the min payements over that time then pay off as much in one go in April.

DD lost her first tooth this weekend! She will be 6 this year, and DS 11 and will start secondary school in September. My babies are growing up!

I’ve given up on the survey sites. Too much effort for too little reward. I know some people here have had a lot of success with them, but they’re not for me.
I got a Fitbit for xmas and 1 of my goals is to average between 10-15k steps a day. I’m going to spend the survey time getting steps in instead (even if some of it is marching on the spot!) I’m considering it an investment in my health instead of an investment in my bank account!

So I’m back, I’m focussed, and this year I’m going to be successful!

rexelpink

I’ve just done some calculations, and thought I would post them here. It was really useful for me earlier to look back and reflect on this:

Lloyds was £615 - now £215
Vanquis was £300 - now £1,391!:eek:
Loan was £11,000 - now £9,832
My jar was £300 - now £0 and account closed!

In simple terms I owe £705 less then when I started this journey, but my cc debt has increased by 1k!

Not sure how I feel about that!

However we have had some big expenditures, for example DH working means we’ve had to buy a second car (so more expense but necessary for him to work)

I’ve also got £700 saved towards my April goal (my target was £300 so I’ve doubled that) and £100 left to live on till payday.

rexelpink

Ooh I almost forgot... I’ve also got £350 in a sealed pot, but this is saved towards the building work we are planning to do when we buy the house so I’m not touching that, DH and I are just putting change in at the moment as and when.