I want to stop drowning

debtaghh

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Well done. If you keep on being as frugal as that it will help your chances of getting more 0% deals next summer. Congratulations on getting rid of the Tesco card. Are you leaving it open in case they offer you another 0% deal next year or closing it?

I was thinking I’ll keep it open in hope they offer me a deal. They have just offered me a deal but it’s rubbish 0% until October next year plus transfer fees. Hopefully by next summer when the deals are due to end they can offer me a longer period of 0%.

To save even more I’m asking my fam if they want to buy some of my kids pressies off me.

debtaghh

Morning,

Yesterday I went to a friend’s house and normally I would buy something sweet from the bakers but instead I bought something I had from home, that saved a few pounds! Today we are buying a Christmas tree, I have money allocated but am hoping to spend less than what I allocated. My son has a party to go to and the present is something I bought on offer a while ago. I need to go food shopping at some point but I’m trying to make do with what I have. I do have £6 going onto my Iceland card today which will be useful.

Have a nice frugal day everyone.

debtaghh

The Xmas tree was £8 cheaper then I allocated which is good as I have some extra work this week so will need to pay for childcare on the day which I hadn’t allocated ( I won’t get paid for this work until end of Jan. I’m trying to get out of a meal booked with friends , I’ve made out that it’s so busy at this time of the year and hinted about the cost. I’m just waiting to hear back from one more friend to confirm they are ok with cancelling. That will save approx £20.

debtaghh

Morning,

I’ve managed to get out of one meal ... approx £20 saving :T My husband is due to take an exam next year which could eventually lead to a promotion but the books cost £80:eek: which I have accounted for but I’ve asked him if he can share with his friend who is doing the same exam. That way it will be £40 each instead.

If I’m being honest this minimum increase has really shocked me as I would have never thought that’s what they can do , it’s kind of made me more determined to get rid of this debt once and for all!

I’ve managed to sell some of the Xmas presents I bought to my family, that will be another £50:T

I still haven’t been food shopping, I think I’ll buy some grapes and tomatoes and try and delay a proper (£30) shop for a bit longer!

Have a lovely frugal day everyone.

enthusiasticsaver

debtaghh wrote: »

If I’m being honest this minimum increase has really shocked me as I would have never thought that’s what they can do , it’s kind of made me more determined to get rid of this debt once and for all!

.

Credit card companies which allow low minimum payments effectively keep people in debt for decades which is not in your interests at all. If the minimums had been at a sensible level all along you would have been forced to give the debt priority when it was at a much lower level than it is now which would have made it easier to clear. It is not always going to be easy to get 0% deals so I think reining in your spending and doing as you have been doing for the last few days is very sensible. Think about every penny you are spending and focusing on clearing it is the way to go now.

debtaghh

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Credit card companies which allow low minimum payments effectively keep people in debt for decades which is not in your interests at all. If the minimums had been at a sensible level all along you would have been forced to give the debt priority when it was at a much lower level than it is now which would have made it easier to clear. It is not always going to be easy to get 0% deals so I think reining in your spending and doing as you have been doing for the last few days is very sensible. Think about every penny you are spending and focusing on clearing it is the way to go now.

I completely agree.

I’ve also decided to contact a friend who has been offering me a job ( I used to help out there) . It isn’t what I want to do but can bring in a few hundred extra a month ( potentially more) as I can’t work around dh shifts. Me and dh had a massive argument last night and it’s all due to the stress of money. I won’t allow this debt to break us up therefore it needs going ASAP. I’ve just swallowed my pride and contacted him and will hopefully get some extra money coming in... I’ll keep you posted.

enthusiasticsaver

That would certainly help if you bring in more income even if it is not what you want to do in the short term. Clearing debt is stressful and as your OH has not been fully engaged with it so far then no doubt reining in your spending even further is not going to be easy for either of you. It is however necessary for your long term future.

System

Have had visitors past few days so only caught up with you now. Sorry to hear you are stressed with it all.

I think getting a job , and reining in your spending as you have done is great. Sometimes it needs a shock to get you refocused.

You are doing really well, keep going.

debtaghh

Thanks Cumbria.

I returned an item yesterday-£40 going back into my account. My dh has messaged his friend about sharing books and paying half each.

I randomly received an email from nectar yesterday saying they have given me £5 worth of points for free. I don’t really shop in Sainsbury’s but will now have 2500 worth but this is from special promotions and has taken months. I’m saving them up for next summer as I’m hoping they will do their deal again where 1000 points gets you two mains at pizza express or two cinema tickets.

Dh went to the shops for me and used my £6 bonus card in Iceland plus got 10% discount that they are currently offering for the emergency services so spent £5 cash. He then went to Tesco and spent £11. Haven’t been for a proper shop in over a week.

Today I need to:

Check finances
Answer business email
Dust
Sort kitchen out
Washing
Post items
Maybe return item
Buy bread... I never run out as I usually have lots in the freezer but I’ve actually run out!

Have a lovely frugal day everyone.

debtaghh

Dh’s friend has agreed to go halves ... £40 saving