I fell off the wagon but I'm back.

mrs_mug_2

I started to sort myself out in August 2006. I paide £2k off my debts in 6 weeks. Then I fell off the wagon. I'm back now but how do I stay focused?

Here is my SOA, I think I've done all that I can but we'll see.
Monthly Incomings:

My salary - £214
Partners salary - £2134
Benefits - £116

Total - £2464

Monthly Outgoings:

Mortgage/Rent - £958
Council Tax - £85
Gas - £25
Electric - £20
Water-£34
TV License - £11.37
Phone - £20
Mobile phones-£50
Food - £100
Car ins etc -£150
Petrol - £100
Life Insurance £43

Total: £1596.37



Nationwide loan 5.7% 3 years remaining (£7k aprox) £166
Car on pcp £187
A&l credit card 0% for 12 months (£5800) £388
Sainsburys credit card 5.94% life of balance (£2650) £53
Overdraft 5.9% £1500 £5

Cards have been reshuffled recently, we've put what we can on the cheapest cards, with the balance restrictions that are on the cards. I've snowballed and the figures I'll pay are above min payments when possible.

BT is on cheapest package (landline only) but they won't allow me to drop the dd that low yet.
Mobiles are high but as low as they can go on current contracts (and allow free calls to the people we call the most).

christmas and outstanding birthdays dealt with for this year but will be paid for by me doing over time in future.

Food budget is for 4 of us. I have actually managed to stick to this for months now, wonders my never cease!

So, how do I stay on the wagon, please help!

Sagaris

I find reading the DFW threads very inspiring - I'm currently paying off 2 credit cards (well I've supposed to have been doing that for over a year but things just sort of got added to them - you know how it is!) Since finding the site earlier this year I've read the posts avidly, learned about snowballing, meal planning, swapping utility suppliers and so on - and I'm determined to keep up the good work. I've also got Microsoft Money (thanks to my OH!) and have used that in conjunction with our new current and savings accounts - I now know to the penny exactly what we have coming and going from our account, and keep track religiously.
So I'd say the key is keep reading on here, and keep track of your spending - every penny!
I feel I'm letting the side down if I don't!

In_Search_Of_Me

Spending diary & leave the CC at home would be my two learning lessons! I stopped doing both & it all went drastically wrong! Welcome back!