Small Steps Out Of Massive Debt!

GeorgianaCavendish

Market Research Focus Group at lunchtime today (lucky for me it is taking place 5 minutes from my office, I don't expect to be so lucky in future!). I'm looking forward to paying in £50 to my bank account on my way back to the office

Yesterday was another NSD, that is two this week and means I've hit my first NSD target.

It looks like the weekend will not be TOO spendy. I discovered that the activity planned for Saturday is at a venue that is in the Tesco Clubcard Days Out scheme so have been able to use Clubcard vouchers to buy our tickets saving ourselves £50+

The eBay auctions are gathering steam, most of them have at least got 1 bid and all have over 10 watchers so I know I'll make some sales this weekend.

GeorgianaCavendish

Naomim wrote: »

Well done! :T:j I had the opposite but less said the better :eek:

Eat Well for Less is a BBC show. It takes families that spend and extortionate amount on their food shopping and swaps their usual stuff for non- branded items. They have no idea what's been swapped and what hasn't so they are tasting "blind". There's usually a cookery lesson on there too.

I also have a spreadsheet but mine's my bank account so I can try and work out where I am at any point in the month. Although I only do 6 month forward forecast.

Glad you still seem so positive. It will soon be second nature to check you balances everyday. Hope Mr GC is still on track.

Naomi x

That does sound familiar, I might have seen bits while channel hopping - I will check it out on iplayer! Hopefully I'll get some more tips

I'm feeling more positive about being in control, well, knowing what is going on anyway! And although I know I'm in a serious situation, I'm trying to keep myself upbeat because I know that feeling anxious, stressed and depressed leads to a "spending episode". The support from everyone on the boards is really helping with keeping positive

GeorgianaCavendish

jenberry wrote: »

Hello lovely,

Really excited to join you on your journey and have subscribed to your thread. Just wanted to pop in and say 'good luck' and I hope you are able to reach a place where you are happy and peaceful with the help of counselling.

As someone who has previously been in debt and a recovering shopaholic, I would say that you need to prioritise being free of debt above things like meals out, shopping trips and magazine subscriptions, and it definitely seems you are doing this so I have no doubt you'll be successful, just keep at it! Also, for inspiration, I would recommend The Minimalists and their documentary on Netflix called Minimalism. It will definitely help put spending into perspective.

Finally, don't be too hard on yourself. You're making great progress and things happen for a reason.

Jen xxx

Thank you so much Jen, I really appreciate your words of support I actually watched Minimalism last weekend and it did give me lots of food for thought!

GeorgianaCavendish

boxofpaws wrote: »

Eat well for less is brilliant. I love the meal ideas they give you. Some of the spends that families have is mind-blowing and will definitely make you feel better about your shopping bill.


I will check out the minimalists, thanks for the recommendations.


Well done on being all in control of you bank balance, Georgiana :T

Haha, well if it will make me feel better about my shopping habits then I will definitely watch it! Previously it is only The Queen of Versailles documentary on Netflix that has made me think "well at least I'm not THAT bad" (joking .... sort of! But it is worth a watch too)

GeorgianaCavendish

JoJoC wrote: »

Random addition to your diary, but watching The Chase earlier and your namesake was one of the questions! I'd never heard if her until you started your diary and now thats twice in a week ha.

Maybe Bradley Walsh has been reading your diary for budgeting tips and inspiration for quiz show questions?

Haha! That is random, maybe he IS reading - Hi Bradley!

GeorgianaCavendish

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Can you not move any of your credit cards to 0% using balance transfers or do you have a poor credit rating?

No I can't move any of my credit cards to 0%

Naomim

I did a Focus group last night.. It was part 2 of a two hander but I spent 4 hours in total eating chocolate cakes! There's worse things to be paid for. I made £100 total so I'm happy. Enjoy today's one.

jenberry

Naomim wrote: »

I did a Focus group last night.. It was part 2 of a two hander but I spent 4 hours in total eating chocolate cakes! There's worse things to be paid for. I made £100 total so I'm happy. Enjoy today's one.

This sounds amazing! How do you get involved?

Naomim

jenberry wrote: »

This sounds amazing! How do you get involved?

I registered with a few.

Talking Point
Trend Market Research
FTMR
focusforresearch
researchopnions
watchmethink
Tesco orchard

but if you are on Facebook and search focus groups or market research there are quite a lot. Although most of them are based in London. I can only do them in the evenings and a lot are daytime. But it's a nice little bonus towards the debt busting :j

Naomi x

jenberry

Naomim wrote: »

I registered with a few.

Talking Point
Trend Market Research
FTMR
focusforresearch
researchopnions
watchmethink
Tesco orchard

but if you are on Facebook and search focus groups or market research there are quite a lot. Although most of them are based in London. I can only do them in the evenings and a lot are daytime. But it's a nice little bonus towards the debt busting :j

Naomi x

Thanks Naomi! I suspected most of them would be London-based but I'll definitely sign up in the hopes one comes up in Yorkshire