Small Steps Out Of Massive Debt!

GeorgianaCavendish

Silver_Queen wrote: »

I'm absolutely loving the skincare chatter on here - it's one of the things I really like to play with.

I've discovered that acids really don't work on my skin but the things that I like from the Ordinary range is the marula oil (does the exact same job, looks and smells the same as the £80 African Botanics one I was using previously), the retinoid 0.5% in squalane, the hyaluronic acid and the niacinamide with zinc. What I hate is the vitamin C suspension - too gritty - and the alpha arbutin - too gloppy!

GC, have you tried Glossier? Everyone raves about it but almost single product I've tried (milky jelly cleanser, priming moisturiser, cloud paint, stretch concealer) I've hated. I don't get it. I don't know why everyone loves it!

I'm loving the skincare chat too I've never tried Glossier, I heard about them after I'd already discovered Beauty Pie and I didn't need more makeup at that time. Its a shame that the products didn't work out for you, I'll give them a miss based on your experience!

Seasidegal58 wrote: »

I'm using a retinol night cream from Roche-Posey at the moment. Will definitely have to check out The Ordinary - the Roche one isn't that expensive compared to some makes but I've got a feeling it may be dearer than The Ordinary range!

Definitely worth having a look at The Ordinary! They might not have a substitute for your RP night cream but I think its worth a look and running through the sums.
18 months ago I was using Chanel moisturiser, I loved it but I'm shuddering now at the cost!
I changed to Clinique which was half the price and while I've not found anything from Beauty Pie or The Ordinary that works as well as the Clinique, I've compromised by asking for it as Christmas and birthday presents. I was lucky this Christmas because three people chose to get me moisturiser so I shouldn't need to buy any more until after the summer

GeorgianaCavendish

I made the decision to trim my credit limits on a couple of cards and making sure that I've opted out of automatic credit limit increases on all of them. I have been holding out and thinking that it is better to have unused credit in the hopes of a balance transfer offer, but being brutally honest with myself I think the bigger danger is that I will always feel that the unused credit is a safety net and I will use it in "emergencies" instead of employing other MSE techniques.

I'm feeling a bit better having done this. I was staring at my spreadsheet yesterday and feeling more and more anxious at all the totals, and even started looking at balance transfers or loan options. I talked myself down from that particular ledge and by making the decision to reduce the credit limits, I feel like I've got some control back. I'm going to amend my spreadsheet to show the percentage repaid on each account, not just the total - I think that will help my motivation!

One-step-at-a-time

GeorgianaCavendish wrote: »

I was staring at my spreadsheet yesterday and feeling more and more anxious at all the totals, and even started looking at balance transfers or loan options. I talked myself down from that particular ledge and by making the decision to reduce the credit limits, I feel like I've got some control back. I'm going to amend my spreadsheet to show the percentage repaid on each account, not just the total - I think that will help my motivation!

I get spreadsheet anxiety if I spend too long staring at it.
I do love changing percentages, though. I have percentage paid, percentage of credit used per card, and percentage of overall credit used, all to two decimal places so I can usually make a positive change even if the payment is only tiny

GeorgianaCavendish

One-step-at-a-time wrote: »

I get spreadsheet anxiety if I spend too long staring at it.
I do love changing percentages, though. I have percentage paid, percentage of credit used per card, and percentage of overall credit used, all to two decimal places so I can usually make a positive change even if the payment is only tiny

I've got my new percentage paid column set to two decimal places too, really glad I did because some of them will barely move while I concentrate on the Top 4!

Seasidegal58

GeorgianaCavendish wrote: »

I'm loving the skincare chat too I've never tried Glossier, I heard about them after I'd already discovered Beauty Pie and I didn't need more makeup at that time. Its a shame that the products didn't work out for you, I'll give them a miss based on your experience!



Definitely worth having a look at The Ordinary! They might not have a substitute for your RP night cream but I think its worth a look and running through the sums.
18 months ago I was using Chanel moisturiser, I loved it but I'm shuddering now at the cost!
I changed to Clinique which was half the price and while I've not found anything from Beauty Pie or The Ordinary that works as well as the Clinique, I've compromised by asking for it as Christmas and birthday presents. I was lucky this Christmas because three people chose to get me moisturiser so I shouldn't need to buy any more until after the summer

I must admit that I've never found a toner as good as Clinique's which I've been using since my late twenties. I've tried other makes both dearer and cheaper but I always go back to it.

JoJoC

After reading all the talk of percentages, I just added a column to my already busy spreadsheet! It's so nice to see it though - I generally just work it out when I do my end of month round up but this way is better. I can look ahead to see when I should reach a certain % milestone and try to beat my future self

GeorgianaCavendish

JoJoC wrote: »

After reading all the talk of percentages, I just added a column to my already busy spreadsheet! It's so nice to see it though - I generally just work it out when I do my end of month round up but this way is better. I can look ahead to see when I should reach a certain % milestone and try to beat my future self

I've only had the % column for a few days but it is already helping me to feel more positive. Yes it is frustrating when the overall figure doesn't seem to be moving much, but when I can see that one of the debts is 40% paid it makes me feel like I'm making progress

GeorgianaCavendish

I'm trying to rediscover my teaspoon zen. I need to keep the focus on emptying the teaspoon and not start staring at the lake and feeling helpless. I know all too well where that behaviour leads!

Part of this is not being over ambitious with my debt busting, it is really tempting to go all out because sitting and thinking about my debt total feels intolerable. BUT I know that if I over-commit myself with over payments / don't put aside money for an emergency fund or start budgeting for expensive periods then I will end up with more debt.

So there's a bit teaspoon meditation going on here today!

thegirlinthegreenscarf

Hi GC Good to see you back


GC/Seasidegal58
Which clinique moisturiser to you use?

GeorgianaCavendish

thegirlinthegreenscarf wrote: »

Hi GC Good to see you back


GC/Seasidegal58
Which clinique moisturiser to you use?

Thank you, its good to be back!

I use Moisture Surge (the "Extended Thirst Relief" variant, there is a plain "Moisture Surge" one too)