Shopsalot - does exactly what it says on the tin..

shopsalot

Debt free date is based on more than minimum payments, no extra spending, 0% interest deals and a small amount of optimism basd on payrises, ebaying, change jars etc.

shopsalot

I missed one -

I'm not exactly asking for outside help (though all comments are greatfully received!) THis is more self help - if i have to "report" it maybe I wont do it in the first place!

duchy

Ah but have you done the really easy stuff yet ?
cancelling the gym membership you never use
checking you are getting the best deal on utilities, phone, etc
Cashbacks on insurance policies-purchases on the net etc That £59 in Body Shop would have netted an 8% cashback for example.
Menu planning ad cupboard/freezer check (and removing the local takeaway from your speed dial )
balance transfers -once on low interest the accountant in you won't let it roll over onto a REAL interest rate again (or if it does you DO have a spending problem)

Adrasteia01

I've worked in accounts also.

So your DFD is likely to be further off than that then?
Are your cards on 0% at the moment? What about the overdraft?

My opinion is buy what you need, plus a few select treats for yourself a month, and keep it at that. I used to buy a lot of stuff, and now I don't. I've found that I need less, and when it comes to toiletries and presents for other people I tend to buy in bulk when things are on sale and stockpile then. Then I have what I need when I need it, and it saves going out to find it.

Jeans I can understand (a girl needs clothes) but you reach a point where you don't really need any more. If you have a gigantic laundry pile like me, try folding and hanging everything up. I did this a month or two back and was surprised how many clothes I actually had. It's also easier to pick and choose what to wear that way.

Extra controllers for the wii - that's a bit excessive IMO. Same with buying so much in one go from Body Shop or Food for the dinner party. If you want to cut down your spending, try to be less excessive. Buy one or two items from the body shop, but compensate for it by using cheaper items for another purpose. Where a dinner party is concerned, why not ask your friends to bring along some food each and share. That's what us Aussies tend to do at bbqs.

Those are just my opinions, but there are cheaper ways to do the same things really. Also, if you posted an SOA people here could make suggestions regarding the costs of your utilities, food etc.

Tamara

jo1972

duchy wrote: »

That £59 in Body Shop would have netted an 8% cashback for example.

The sign of a pro-DFW'er :T :T :T

I don't buy anything now unless it comes with cashback, although I suppose that Spendalots thing with 'spending a lot', the thrill comes with actually going out and shopping rather than clicking a button online?

Adrasteia01

Some airports have a body shop in them as well.. so if you were going somewhere in the EU, it would be body shop tax free + cashback.

pania

Kevicho wrote: »

I know, its for a nintendo WII, they are real fun, i was referring to a post which has been deleted

My post was the one that was deleted. I deletd it as it had been construed as nasty by kevicho. I was simply saying that the post made me angry as there are people here on this board that would love to spend money on jeans and food from waitrose yet don't have the luxury of that spending.

I stated that the op has a very well paid job and is, debt or no debt, enjoying that money to the fullest. She hasn't had her full lightbulb moment yet and one day will see that what is on the inside is more important than the nails, hair and cutlery on the outside.

Wasn't intended to be nasty, i don't do nasty which is why i deletd it.

pania

Toto

Rather than using ebay predictions to calculate some of the debt repayments, why not use ebay profits for your spending? That way what ever happens debts will be paid, and if you want another dinner party or something you need to make sure you ebay earn it?

Just a suggestion.

I don't think anyone is giving you a hard time for the sake of it, people are trying to help. The problem that I see is that it's all a little half hearted at the moment. Lots of us had flickering lightbulbs for a while until the reality hit. But, simply writing things on here really won't make a difference when you are out shopping with temptation all around. The wanting to change things really has to come from you, and be strong enough to make you want to say no when you are out shopping.

I think you should try to think a bit about why you spend, what does it do for you, where is the thrill? Maybe get out all of your statements and look to see exactly how much you have spent on treats over the past 12 months. Sometimes seeing the big picture shocks us into action.

redrabbit29

shopsalot wrote: »

Debt free date is based on more than minimum payments, no extra spending, 0% interest deals and a small amount of optimism basd on payrises, ebaying, change jars etc.

Is your debt free date realistic? E.g. if you carry on as you are now, will you reach it?

Have you done a SOA yet including ALL income and ALL outgoings, that includes the car tax, the extra (fun) money, the money for bills, phones, food money, petrol money, gym money, bus money, etc.... EVERYTHING.

It's hard to give a good post without seeing your SOA, because we can't really relate it to anything, such as your income and all your debts. You say you will be giving yourself £200 per week to spend on anything, that is £800 per month. That is an extortionate amount of money, I have £75 per month for fun stuff. However, again, it's all relative, and I don't know your full circumstances.

Big well done on posting and starting your diary. Good luck.

shopsalot

Wow! I had no idea that my desire to control my spending would cause such an issue.

It seems that unless i am in dire straights or on the verge of banckruptcy I have no right to want to clear my debts on a manageable way, at least not here.

I have no emotional issues, I just enjoy treating myself and my friends and family.

Thank you to the helpful suggestions. But i dont think this is place for me. Way too much anger and dissapproval.