Return of the Girl Racer

GirlRacer_2

Hi Dizzy, How's it all going with you. Your very focused and now the loan has gone you should start to find your feet. This is a bad time of year for us all what with the pressure of christmas and trying to keep on top of the debts. I do all my shopping throughout the year so luckily it's all done, just waiting to be wrapped up.

The romance is still on and going 'very well' the distance between us is a bot problematic on times but at least we can't argue cos we don't see each other enough.

I am pleased at the fact that I managed to get everything paid off but really disappointed that I had to cash in the childrens bonds to do it. My aim now is to build up some savings (which I'm doing very well, at the moment) and pay every penny of it back to them. At least in the winter I'm not too tempted to pop into Asda on the way home as its so cold so hopefully will manage to cut back on my spending quite a bit.

Aim for 2008 to be your debt free year. Concentrate on the credit card and before you know it it'll be paid off. You can do it - I've got every faith in you x

dizzy_lizzie

Hello huni
Glad to hear the romance is still going.:D It'll be a lovely christmas for you and yours.
I'm feeling a bit down at the moment. Maybe a winter thing. Thought I'd be quids in once the loan went but I'm more overdrawn than before. How the hell does that happen!!!
I need to focus like you have, you've done so well. keep going hun.
Luvz dizzy x

GirlRacer_2

Hin there Diz. We all think that once something is paid off we're going to be so much better off but it doesn't work like that unfortunately!!! Hopefully 2008 will be the year that you get the overdraft sorted. I know you can do it.

Even though I've got no debts now I feel relunctant to leave the safety net of DFW in case I fall off the wagon again.... I;ve decided to keep using this thread to record how much I'm saving. I've opened an ISA and so far have saved £200 towards paying the kids back. Hopefully by posting on here it'll keep me motivated.

GirlRacer_2

Have had a few weeks where I've been feeling down and low and behold I've been spending again. Luckily it was money I had and not on cards (I don't have any now) but I've still spent money that I shouldn't have.

I could well have put the money in my ISA but I didn't I chose to 'waste' it. When am I ever going to learn?

It's payday this week and my CSA is due and I am going to try and get some of this into the ISA even if it's only £50.

GirlRacer_2

I'm so down in the dumps I really feel like spoiling myself to something nice. but what with me being away the last 2 weekends I know I can't afford it. I've not managed to save a penny this month and I'm depressed at the thought that I seemed to do more with my money when I had debts to pay.

Had a new argos card yesterday despite closing my account in October - these people just will not take no for an answer. Luckily I cut it up and checked with them that the account was closed before I was tempted to run up a bill. At least my MSE ways are still in top form!!!

dizzy_lizzie

Hiya GR
How are you doing? Do you know you are allowed a little treat from time to time. I know you've been away but you probably needed that. Are you organised for Christmas...I'm not too bad with pressies but off work with a rotten virus, so don't know when I'll get a chance to do the rest! Painkillers are helping at the moment. I love winter getting all snuggly indoors but healthwise I always feel rotten. So feeling not too sparky. It's strange that when we feel down we end up spending, and we know it's on stuff that at any other time we probably wouldn't even buy!! Is there anything else you could do...do you have a hobby or interest GR that could take your mind off spending. Says me...:D though I am going to start painting again soon, when I'm feeling more up to it. (how long have I been saying this)
You're doing so well at the moment, think of all the great things you've done so far and well done for cutting up that argos card, at this time of year too, now that takes determination!!
Luvz Dizzy x

GirlRacer_2

Hi guys, Not been on here for a while. Hope everyone has had a good Christmas and all looking forward to the New Year. I have made a real effort to stay debt free over Christmas and seemed to have succeeded so far. Got paid early in December and my pay has had to last until the end of January Its going to be a long month!!!

Good news though, the interest rate has gone down so my mortgage payment in January is £8 cheaper than it was last month.

I'm feeling pretty confident that I can reduce my outgoings again in 2008 and will be shoppig around yet again to try and cut back further. Will keep you all updated.

GirlRacer_2

Today saved loads of money, I've dyed and cut my own hair and plucked my own eyebrows. Am staying in tonight and drinking the alcohol I had for Christmas so another saving there. Am going out tomorrow night but as I'm driving it'll be a cheap night. Have not got a lot of money at the moment but there's enough in the bank to cover the direct debits due on the 1st and I get child benefit on the 2nd.

This has got to be the first ever Christmas/New Year period that there's enough money in the bank to cover the bills. I must be doing something right!

dizzy_lizzie

Hey it sounds like things are on the up, that's great news. Really pleased that you're still keeping hold of the purse strings. You're doing really well especially at this time of year. I was tempted to go the sales and then I though 'but I don't really need anything' so didn't bother. Quite pleased with myself for that...:D
Enjoy your night and have a drink for me...:beer:
Luvz Dizzy x

GirlRacer_2

Hi there Diz, how are things going with you and your lot/ Hope you enjoyed Christmas.

Some more good news have just logged onto online banking and I appear to have an extra £100 spare. Am really pleased about that, eben though I don't need it for the next few days its nice to know its there.

For the first time ever, I've not been tempted to go to the sales. This is so not like me. I don't know what's happened to me, maybe I'm taking this moneysaving lark a bit far

Well done for keeping away from the sales yourself, saying that it's been like a fair everywhere here with traffic jams for miles trying to get into retail parks. I normally get a few things in the sales for Christmas next year so maybe I'll venture out in the middle of January and have a look whats left.

I've already got one present for next year - a lovely pair of silk pyjamas that were a very small size 12 (I've not eaten too many pies honestly!!!) so I'll keep hold of them and find a suitable relative to recycle them to next year.