Time to sort my finances out

jvr

Air BnB might be perfect for you then! I wouldn't rule out putting a free advert for lodger out... you can interview and just wait and see if someone you think is great comes along or not! I would think about it but OH wouldn't cope and I can't see many people wanting to lodge with a crazy Rottweiler and jack russell haha

Flowers123

Hi jvr, I think I will definitely give it a go as I definitely need the income and the extra money will mean I will still be able to socialise and pay off debts faster. Aww there are lots of people that like dogs, you could always try a Monday to Friday or an occasional air bnb guest. I'll let you know if I get someone and tell you how it goes.

Well today was a NSD as work was mad but then I forgot I said a while ago I would be going on a friends hen do so that's £70 gone. Must start budgeting properly so I have funds at the ready for events like this, it's not something I can say no to either. I know I'm in debt but I don't want to lose friends. I've had a quick look through my wardrobe and I'm sure there is something I can wear for it so I don't need to buy anything else.

I'm hoping this weekend will be a quiet one so I don't spend any money. I do need to nip to the chemist to get some rescue remedy. I've got a big presentation at work next week and it does help with my nerves.

My diary sounds so jumbled but I'm hoping writing it all down will help me stay on track!

Flowers123

Yesterday was not a NSD unfortunately. £10 for fuel and £10 in the chemist on some bits I needed.

So far today I've not spent a penny. I've got some work to do ready for the week ahead and plan on staying in today.

Really need to have a sort out and see what items I can sell on e*ay. I'm sure there are a few things! I have a lot of designer clothes which always seems to sell well so I'll have a look.

Flowers123

Yesterday was a busy and spendy day.

Loads on at work which should I'm hoping might give me some commission but I don't want to jinx it!

£30.02 on fuel which should hopefully last me until next week now. £9 on a meal with my friend as he's moving away and I wont see him as much. I did have tap water which I'm very proud of as I could have spent another £3-£4 on just a drink.

On the way home last night I picked up some soup for a £1 and some chocolate for £1.50. Soup will last me 2 days at work.

2 weeks until payday

Flowers123

Forgot add that I did have a NSD on Sunday :T

Houseplant26

Well done!

Flowers123

Well after an ok start to the week it all went to pot!! I ended up spending money on fuel, food, alcohol and more food. I haven't bought any clothes or non essentials which I guess is a start.

Friday 13th is unlucky for some but I managed to take my own lunch to work but then I had to spend £30 of fuel as I've been doing lots of driving this week. I do have a full tank which will hopefully last me until next Friday.

Really need to cut down my spending on food and personal care. I ended up buying some more conditioner as it was on offer. I do get through loads but I could have probably waited. I also bought some face wash and some other small bits.
Current debts at the moment:

Loan £14,550
CC1 £2362
CC2 £1920
CC3 £1639

Total: £20,471.00

Credit card has now been cut up and is no longer!!

Tax bill still to pay and £200 left in my account for fuel and food until payday on the 25th. I'm out tomorrow night with friends and looking to spend £30 max. Will have to fill up once this tank of fuel runs out so that should be another £20-£30 depending on how much I need to use the car. Then it's just groceries which I'm not very good at budgeting for.

Even though it's freezing at the moment, my car really needs a wash so I'm putting on my wellies and I'm going to do it myself which I hate at this time of year.

Off to bed for an early night as its been a mad week at work!

Houseplant26

Hi Flowers

If I'm being totally brutal I think if you want to pay down that debt you're going to need to change quite a few things in your current lifestyle, or rather scale back a bit.

£30 on a night out here or there is really significant and will add up. Do any of your friends know you have debts you need to pay down? I'm quite open with friends in my life that I am trying to save a tiny bit at a time and that I don't earn a lot and sometimes can't do things. I guess luckily for me work friends are in a similar boat!

Personal care is something I spend a fair bit on too and it's easily done. Have you thought about joining the no buying unecessary toiletries discussion on here? I am in it and we log what we buy and what we use up. Some people do an audit of their whole stash as well and cross things off.

Good wise I think that's all about planning. I tend to do well for a while and then cave a bit though!

Flowers123

Hey Houseplant.

Yes, I think I need to start a hobby that isn't going to cost much and scale back the going out. As I'm single I find myself being invited to so many different events all over the place and I don't say no to many as when I do I end up sat at home alone.

£30 I'm budgeting for a night in at my friends so this will include food and alcohol (must also cut down on the amount of wine I drink as this would save lots of money)

My friends know I have a credit card but don't know the amount. I am in such a better position than most of them who are renting so I do tend to cave and pay for drinks when out which is going to have to stop. I do find that a lot of my friends do expensive things all the time and they earn similar money to me, im not really sure how they do it other than they must also have debt but it isn't something we talk about.

I was suppose to be going on holiday this year but I've decided against it. My main goal over the next few months is to stop my debt increasing any further and get my debt back under the £20k mark. I need to do this by budgeting and making sure my food and general spends is kept in check. I will definitely look at the unneccessary toiletries discussion.

I still have that tax bill to pay but I have enough in savings to pay for this thankfully. I must also look at building this up again.

Minimum income (£1380 after tax) commission minimum of £220 after tax

Mortgage (to parents) £230
Household bills £200
Professional membership £12.50
Phone £23
Car fuel £150
Insurances £30
Loan £274
Minimum CC payments £125
Groceries and household stuff £200

£1244.50 (this is the minimum I need to stop debt increasing)

£135.50 left over from basic wages. I will probably use this towards social spends, savings and clothing as I know that i have no chance of cutting this out completely. I know I'm in debt but I still want to have a life and even though I have been stupid with money I'm still in a relatively good position. I'm still aiming to be debt free by 30, and I'm also hoping to have paid my parents back by then also so I wont owe anyone anything

So debt repayments..

£274 I will continue to pay towards the loan each month.
£125 minimum towards CC's then any commission has to go towards my debt repayments as well. So that's £345 pm towards CC's, they are all on 0% so i should be able to clear them within 18 months. I can then start overpaying the loan.

Snowball calculator is saying I'll be debt free in March 2020

I have only calculated this using income from my employment. If I start earning money from a lodger or air b&b then I can probably pay off my debt in 2 years instead of 3 years.

Right I'm off to Hoover the house and start making some meals that I can freeze ready for when I'm in a rush in the week after work.

Flowers123

Spends over the last few days are:

£16 on Saturday night. (Not bad for me considering I would usually spend waaay more than this)
Sunday was a NSD
Today I spent £3.50 on some lunch as I had absolutely nothing in the house to take to work.

Soup again for tomorrow's lunch and I have a few other bits in my drawer at work so hopefully tomorrow will be another NSD

I've heard today is blue Monday, it definitely feels like it. Everyone is rather grumpy including myself for no particular reason. The thought of no holidays is very depressing so fingers crossed we have a nice summer!