mad at myself: £12K and counting

elsien

Have you tried keeping a spending diary? You say you don't think the surplus is going on food, meals out etc, but you'd be surprised how what seems like the odd pound here and there adds up. Ask me how I know.

luffa

@elsien: I've started to do that this month. I'm using an app called the Spending Tracker app. I'm scared to get to the end of the month and do totals.

So this weekend was good and bad.

I met a great guy (from Tinder). We went for a couple of drinks on Friday evening and we're seeing each other again on Thursday. I liked him so much I'm scared, I need to slow down... but then I haven't liked anyone so much in ages. Can't wait for Thu evening, we're going on a 'real date' :-)

The bad thing is money-related, I managed to buy ankle boots that are too expensive, £95! I'm still on budget until pay date - that is, if I we live frugally until then, which shouldn't be hard. Checked the calendar, no b-day parties coming up. Here's hoping... need to check in here more often, it helps me stay on track.

luffa

Hello diary, it's been a while. Mixed news again... the dental work has set me back a whooping £850 - all went on the Barclaycard (some of it will be covered by insurance but it takes a while). It's a front tooth and a complicated dental procedure so I felt compelled to go private. Things are looking sad this month, no money left in my bank account until the 25th, just emptied my account this morning - one week worth of groceries. I do have about £25 in cash which I hope it will be enough.

I've been thinking a lot over the past weeks about money and debt and realised that for me - all these 0% offers, access to "cheap credit", high credit limits and so on - is actually not a good thing. I'm not disciplined and wise to use it responsibly and I'm better off without. So I think what I need to do is stop it completely, close off the credit cards and simply stop using credit (apart from the mortgage which is another discussion). Easy to say - I need to pay off debt first. However, the plan is to leave the cards at home, including the Barclaycard. And just live off the money in my bank account. I know it's not realistic to pay off the debt at a £500-600 rate monthly, which is what I was planning, so perhaps I will need to adjust that down/ Or maybe it is realistic, once I stop credit card spending... Big resolution, I know... I need to do it though, as this debt is just getting bigger and bigger and I'm not even playing the lottery, let alone winning it.



PS. Going on a 3rd date with the guy I met a while ago, yay!

Hayles70

I still haven't had the courage to post my SOA so well done!

However, I am determined to get rid of my debt and I thought I'd share a few things that I have found Are really making a difference.

1. I put the child benefit (£83) into a seperate bank account. Then I use this to buy my daughter's clothes, shoes, trips etc. I find that it builds up quickly and I know that I always have money for her needs and It helps me budget!
2. I use Quidco, I did my first online shop with Morrisons last night and got £12 off my shopping and £3 cashback. Every time I build up £15, I pay it off my credit card.
3. I used to pay £15 a month for my bank account, I changed to a reward account that costs £3 a month but I get £8 cash back from bills every month plus cash back from spending and I've now built up £85 in my cash back account. When I get to £90 I plan to exchange it for a £100 Debenhams or House of Fraser voucher. This can be used for my makeup, clothes and presents.

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