The long haul supporters thread...

nomorespending

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

Julie2011 (295)
Welcome!
The main area for me is food budget and its still something I struggle with and am seriously considering an online shop because I always end up getting extra bits in when I enter!!

In search of me... This is my biggest problem too!! i have banned my OH from coming shopping with me as hes a nightmare putting stuff in the trolley. when I put my SOA up lots of people picked up on my grocery bill, but I still really struggle, i dont have time to shope around at different places and go to the stores near closing to pick up reduced stuff because i work in the evenigns on top of my day job. I think the very best way is online shopping - i tend to do the shop put what i need in and then decide on a limit - i've been aiming for between 40 and 50 per week . if its more than this i go through and take out things which arent; essentail. i;ve been doign really well with this - although the last few weeks i haven't done an onlin shop as ive not been organised enough!! i think the asda deal at the moment is a good one - you get £5 off the next shop if you spend over 40 pounds. and they do a proce comparison thing too. i'm usign tesco at the moment as i have some money off vouchers through the post.

millionaire_in_training

I dream of a fabulous new kitchen when I am debt free

thevinternet

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

Well took my own advice and went back to basics and added cc's up...suffice to say :eek:. Time to knuckle down Thankfully all Christmas presents are done and cupboards and freezer are full so will be ok. Christmas meal etc all paid for so thats good. Only problem is we are away at Christmas (Italy to stay with best mate) and there are things like cattery to pay for

Just wondered if you had considered getting a cat-sitter in instead? They visit your house daily and cost about £8 per visit I think. I don't if that's cheaper than catteries or not, just an idea - I know they have to be CRP checked (ie no criminal record) as I have a friend who does it.

Well done for getting xmas sorted though, I have still tons to do!!

Itsadogslife_2

My mom goes on holiday and leaves her cat at home, she was a rescue and is quite nervous so sending her to a cattery wouldn't be good for he. My grandad goes round and tops up food and water daily and changes the litter tray. Then a neighbour pops in once a day also and my brother if he is passing.

Wannabefree1

Hi all,

How is everyone??

I have now completed step 1 of the DMP with Payplan and am awaiting them to contact the creditors. With exception of Lloyds as I'll still be moving DD's over to our new account until the 19th. If it wan't the secured loan going out I'd risk swapping now with a back up of paying by debit card. Just don't wanna get stung with a £25 fee!

Getting a bit nervous about it all now. Worrying that the debt will go up as payments won't cover the interest being added and that they won't agree to freeze it or reduce it. Please someone say I'm in safe hands here and it'll all be ok

Have posted token payments to everyone (except Lloyds again) and start paying into the DMP on 1 January.

Budget seems ok but if I can save more as I go I'm gonna. Plan is to build up extra cash to throw in lumps at the debt in the hope of being debt free before we die.

I need top tips for shopping on a budget and anything else anyone can think of.

millionaire_in_training

Hi wannabee I'm not on a DMP but from what I have read it always seems to be scary at the start and you just need to hang on in there until things settle.

As for the shopping budget I have a budget of £350 per month for me a 17yr old and a 14 yr old. This is a comfortable budget and I dont want to cut it back as I find if I am too strict with food we end up going off the rails and spending even more. Chin up xx

nomorespending

Hi everyone... not a bad day today ( for a monday) its always a long day on a monday and Tuesday - this wednesday will be a late finish too - about 10 pm! boo!
but I haven't spent any money so thats all good.
recurrent-ostrich - i drive myself insane dreaming about everything i'm going to do when i'm debt free - infact its all that dreamig that results in me beign in so mych debt - i have no patience at all and i dreamabout stuff so much i end up convincing myself I have to do it now now now!! thats my biggest challenge. When i 'm debt free i'm goign to convert my garage into 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. I'm goign to have wooden ( laminate) flooring throughout downstairs, my garden is goign to have decking and I'm goign to have a proper decorator paint my house!!! not to mention the new drive way, wrought iron gates... infact i'd like electric ones!!!!! the list is never ending... I'm trying to take one day at a tie at the moment though. Spend very little, sell stuff i dont' use and get my debt down down down!

Jenjen

nomorespending wrote: »

When i 'm debt free i'm goign to convert my garage into 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. I'm goign to have wooden ( laminate) flooring throughout downstairs, my garden is goign to have decking and I'm goign to have a proper decorator paint my house!!! not to mention the new drive way, wrought iron gates... infact i'd like electric ones!!!!! the list is never ending... I'm trying to take one day at a tie at the moment though. Spend very little, sell stuff i dont' use and get my debt down down down!

OMG your wish list is incredibly similar to mine (although the garage conversion is actually building a garge in the first place) and once the debt is repaid (as it stands in about 16 years but hopefully sooner) I want to do pretty much all those things

recurrent-ostrich

Jenjen wrote: »

OMG your wish list is incredibly similar to mine (although the garage conversion is actually building a garge in the first place) and once the debt is repaid (as it stands in about 16 years but hopefully sooner) I want to do pretty much all those things

New bathroom and central heating -with a thermostat! (Yes, our heating is currently that old.) That's first because we won't sell the house until we've done that, then to save up enough to pay to move and then into a 4 bedroomed house before my eldest goes into 6th form -he's just started Year 7. That's the plan.

nomorespending

Jenjen wrote: »

OMG your wish list is incredibly similar to mine (although the garage conversion is actually building a garge in the first place) and once the debt is repaid (as it stands in about 16 years but hopefully sooner) I want to do pretty much all those things

I;m sure if you stay a regular on this site you'll be able to bring your debt free day forward..
I feel like i'm never going to be out of debt.. my challenge is consistency - i can be really focused for a few weeks then it all goes pear shaped and i disappear off this site and stick my head up my bum for a few months and pretend it isn't really that bad!! my new target is to come on here every day to keep me focussed - try and do one thing each day that helps towards getting out of debt - even if its just planning what i'm goign to do the next day.

Today I thought had been a good day and then I forgot to get a reciept for my parking - so that £4 i can't reclaim and then my Oh came in with a take out - i had already made tea - did I say no thanks i won't eat those chips - i'm on a diet - no i did not - I ate them and the donner meat too... so diet ruined - £4 down!! boo to that. Must do better tomorrow!!!