I WILL be Debt Free but need help

Hiraeth

Thanks for the reply Cheeseface. I am pleased with myself, and yes - seeing the amount going down actually motivates me more to keep on going.


And NO it isn't easy. It is hard when I pick something up that I would love to buy - there is such a temptation to say just this once, especially at Christmas. But I know I must keep realising that it was 'just this once' that got me into trouble and helped me end up exactly where I am now.


If ever I am going to get this card paid off then I have to keep going - and who knows in 2 years time I will be able to pick up and buy that extra treat.


So I'm not as cheerful as I always sound - sometimes quite miserable actually - but I've made this start and kept on the straight and narrow for 2 months and I am going to stay that way, hard as it is.


Regards to all.

chevalier

Hi Hiraeth
just read your diary. Well done on taking the bull by the horns and starting to tackle the debt.
Regarding the credit card. Is it worth asking them if you could have an interest rate cut as you are not really making a dent in the debt to them because so much is going on interest? You never know they might give you a discount for a few months?

The other thing I was going to say was, do you and your OH get the same level of pension? ie the same amount? If not then your share each of the set bills should be proportional to your income rather than half. It might free up some money for the debt busting.

Also re an emergency, surely if you had one your OH would help you?
good luck
chev

Hiraeth

Thanks for the reply Chev. My other half is great - I cannot complain. I am tackling the debt because it's my fault that it is there. He does get the same pension but he pays insurance land rates medical insurance house and contents insurance fuel funeral expenses electricity etc. and it goes without saying that if an emergency came up - yes he would be there with no questions asked. The issue with me is that I ended up in my situation through my own fault - no one else's. And although in an emergency I will need to call for help I am not prepared to do it without trying as hard as I can to get myself out if the mess I got myself into.

Yes the interest is high but I am looking at all the positives it's slowly going down and it's going down through my own work. I am trying to remain positive and get myself out of the hole I dug got myself.

Thanks for your thoughts - it's always good to hear from other people. It makes me think about things.

Kind regards.

louby40

Hi

I spent yesterday reading your diary and you are doing so well.

I too am a survey fan - they are very, very dull but a few each day and it soon mounts up!

ani*fan

I LOVE the idea of a homemade game for your grandson! It sounds amazing and so thoughtful!

Hiraeth

Just a brief message to catch up with everyone and let you know that I am still around.


At the moment I have my 2 young grandsons (age 8 and 10) with me for the school holidays, so my internet work just doesn't get done. There is so much to do with them - including lots of craft activities, which thank goodness they love - that I am exhausted by the evening.


But its a happy feeling and puts some of my worries behind me. It's been particular good this year because it has caused us all to be more mindful of things we are doing and how much they cost. The boys have both understood that I am a pensioner with limited money so have been more than happy to look for cheap alternatives - and in the instances when the young one in particular has pulled a face because he can't have something, when we have talked he has understood. (not that it has made him not want the item but he is coming to grips with costs etc.




At Christmas we usually go shopping for presents for the family and I tend to hand over the money for the present they have chosen for dad, mum, auntie etc. This year we talked about it and they did some work for their grandfather for which he gave them pocket money, their mum and dad had given them some and they also did some work for me and I gave them some. So armed with that off we went shopping with lists in hand and their own wallets and money.


It was wonderful - because although it was tiring and took many stops to recount money and recheck lists etc - they realised that if (for example) they bought the big box of chocolate for mum then dad didn't get a present etc. Even when the young one wanted to buy himself some sweets he realised that if he used his own money there was that much less for his presents.


At the end of the day, and with all of us really happy with the presents chosen and money carefully used I treated them to a donut and milk shake. I think we all deserved it.


So - my money problems have not only made me look at my own way of spending, but have made me realise that I need to teach my grandchildren this as well. (I know there parents are great with them - so it is not a new concept, but I am afraid I have been a grandmother who has perhaps not been as financially careful with them as I could have been).


So good does come out of bad............


My savings have not changed because instead of transferring my $200 over this fortnight I have used the money for Christmas food and I don't mind this at all. What I am happy about is that I have not used the card to buy things with.


I must say I have also made sure to spend time on the swagbucks (mind numbing..........) and now have enough vouchers for presents for my grandsons birthdays in January and 2 of my childrens birthdays in February.


I hope everyone has a great Christmas and that 2017 sees us all get rid of a good part of our debt, and not sink even further into it.

Seasidegal58

Happy Christmas hireath. Hope you have a lovely day. :xmastree::xmastree:

Bobarella

Well done Hiraeth again your post goes to show how well you are doing. It is good for children to have an idea of affordability because otherwise they don't understand why we get upset when they ask for expensive treats.

louby40

:xmastree:Merry Christmas

Hiraeth

Back to the forum after the Christmas break.


This fortnight I was only able to pay $100 off my bill which on the one hand is a bit of a disappointment, but on the other hand is amazing - because I didn't add to my credit card.


So with Christmas over, the food bill (and extra little specials) will go back to normal and I will be able to go back to the normal amount off my bill. (for most fortnights anyway)


This time next year should see a big change in what I owe.


I have continued the swagbucks even over the break and have now covered the 4 birthday presents need for two grandsons in January and 2 children in February.


I have also been given the very happy news that I will be a grandmother again in July. We are thrilled!


My swagbucks will continue with renewed vigour as I strive to save for little extras for the new one - including lots of knitting wool for things for a winter baby. (and yes, it does get cold in winter in Australia). I also hope that the points will enable me to buy other things so that I am not using my credit card for air fares.


I have got it fairly well planned in my mind - and I'm pleased about this.


How I wish I had seen sense a year earlier. But - better late than never.


Regards to all



October 20 - Owe $12,500,
October 27 - $12,400
November 2, Paid $200 - Balance $12,200
November 4, Paid $200 - Balance $12,000
November 8, Paid $23 - Balance $11,977
November 11, Paid $30 - Balance $11,947
November 16, Interest $170 - Balance $12,117 - Paid $200 - Balance $11,917
December 1, Paid $200 - Balance $11,717
December 3, Paid $25 - Balance $11,692
December 8, Paid $25 - Balance $11,667
December 29, Paid $100 - Balance $11,567