New start on the debt free journey to freedom

donkids22

Well as days go today has been a shocker dd2 needed new shoes for school went in a high street shop that she had vouchers for but they didn't have any. So we ended up in a well. Known shop they measured her and now I'm 40 lighter. Then I knew my competition win of free sky for a year was up soon just checked my bill and they have took 106.44 as the free is only for part of this month. I dread to think how much a whole month would be I've now got to wait till 24 jan before I can phone up and down grade what we have sports, movies and box sets will be going. Had 20 back from car tax and paid 35 in change into the bank and I naively thought that's the shoes paid for:rotfl: now I'm right up the creek without a paddle.

donkids22

5 nsds so far this month half way to my target of 10. Had a couple of extra spend days as forgot dd2s drinks for school and another day I got me a sarnie at work and some pop. Next time I need to check my shopping list to the end and not get distracted by oh moaning

donkids22

Another 3 nsds this week so I am now at 8 nsds for the month. Had to phone up about our tv package got it down to 67 a month which is manageable and now i can add the figure to the budget. I'm sure the contents insurance is due soon so that will be an expense I haven't budgeted for.

donkids22

Tomorrow is payday :j. Unfortunately I have just worked out my bills food egg and I will have left £51.95. :eek: Really need under this as dd2 is a childminders and I can't dip into the childcare money that I keep to one side. Oh is away from Monday for two weeks back at weekend so I'm not doing a big shop till he comes back next Friday so hoping to get below my 300 budget for food for feb. Managed 10 nsds for January not including tomorrow so feeling proud baby steps I know.

donkids22

Well life has moved on since I last saw you all.

Current card debt
1. 4521.46
2 322.00
3 3519.72
4 2100.00

I also have a loan at the moment which I have made 4 out of 48 payment on.

Don't know if I'm doing right but I looked at loans the other day to consolidate all my card debt into 1 the repayments would be 222 over 5 years. Long story short I applied and got turned down. So now I am paying all the cards st minimum to the value of 222. This was because I was left with no money at the start of the month and I kept dipping into the money I keep for childcare which was pushing me back further each month, also the pension contribution rise means I now take home 40 less each month which is a big drop. My main in goals this month is to keep to 300 food budget for 2 adults, 2 kids and a cat, keep from popping to local shop for extra food.

donkids22

Not been a bad week kept the shopping below 50 so at the moment on target. Microwave went bang on Sunday so had to get a new which I took out of the shopping budget but looks like I should be able to keep under 300 for the month. On a happy note going to olly murs concert tonight with the daughter's dd2 first concert at the age of 9 and she is very excited luckily my dad has given them some money to spend there. Made a shopping list for next week's shop and trying yo make the most of what I have in my two full freezers and trying to keep it healthy.

donkids22

I have had a bad month can't say I've had big expenses but there is too much month left at the end of my money. I always try to budget and stick to it but it just seems to go out the window. I budget 300 a month for food and I always go over by between 50 and 75 but after watching eat well for less I feel more positive about this. Due to my overspend this month June is going to be a tough month and these months are the worst for birthdays dd2 is June then 6 birthdays in July to September then I'm hurtling into the c word oh no

donkids22

Only 2 weeks after payday and I'm into a minus by 50. I looked at all my bills yesterday and when they come out I'm left with 102. Which seems like a lot but when my food goes over by 50 to 75 it's hardly anything no wonder I'm going over. The next couple of months will be tough with lots of birthdays and expenses. Not going on holiday either this year so feeling down at the moment.

enthusiasticsaver

Is it worth doing an soa and a spending diary to see where your money is going? Are the credit cards at 0%? I would be trying to get rid of that CC2 to get rid of a card as it is quite low anyway.

Do you have an emergency savings account?

Don't consolidate debt. It never works. I assume you are finding it tougher to budget now as you have a loan to pay as well as the cards. Having one payment instead of 3 or 4 is no advantage and you will be tempted to put things on credit again as two loan payments will make your monthly spending money tight so before long you would have a consolidation loan, the car loan and credit card debt again. Paying the equivalent of the loan payment to the cards is the way to go. How much are the minimums on the cards?

I think it is sensible not to go on holiday to be honest if your budget is not working at the moment. I would just focus on getting the debt down and maybe open a savings account for a holiday next year.

donkids22

Paid off credit card used some savings and that's gone.:j:j

Now have all cards at 0%
Card 1 £3801.47
Card 3 £2004.75
Card 4 £4471.95

Loan for car £4732.50

Kicked myself up the bum a bit I have signed up to lots of survey sites even vouchers for spending will make a difference I can then release money from Xmas/ birthday savings to pay off cards. Longer till payday in july so money will be tighter this month need to stick to food budget and meal plans.