Heads, Shoulders, Cheese on Toast

Chocolatedrinker

Finally decided to do something about my debt. I overspend every month and have nearly £3,000 on a 20 something % credit card.

Plus 14 payments left to pay on my car loan, plus I've had to increase the amount I pay to the bills account to 1/3 of my salary to cover new boiler and bed payments. :eek:

As well as trying to pay off debt, I also want to get a month's salary in emergency fund (to build up to 6 months eventually).

I am also trying to declutter as well - my aim is 2019 items in 2019.

Chocolatedrinker

I have made my first step towards paying off my debt - just been accepted for a 0% balance transfer for just over 20 months via this website. Once its transferred over I'll cancel the current card so I can't be tempted to spend on it again.

Homegrown0

Love the diary name

Great news on the 0% card - that will make a massive difference to paying down the balance.

Chocolatedrinker

Hi Homegrown0,

Yes, I'm really pleased about that, especially since I didn't think I'd qualify. I did the soft search first which said I would probably get £1,200 limit, but I got enough to balance transfer the whole amount. It works out that I'll be saving about £40 a month on interest, which means I will save quite a bit, especially if I can pay it all off before the end of the interest free period.

Ideally when I have paid everything off I'd like to have a rewards credit card that I pay off every month to be able to get free rewards, but I'm not sure I'm disciplined enough.

Chocolatedrinker

Had my first ever pedicure tonight - never been able to have one before because I have always bitten/cut my toenails till they were too short. They look nice, but I think she's cut off almost all of the nails, it didn't help that one of the nails broke before I went. Didn't cost me anything - OH paid for it as a valentine's present.

redofromstart

happy new diary, and good luck with it. Sounds like a good start with the card.

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on getting the 0% card. £40 a month saving on interest is brilliant. Are you aiming to overpay the loan or will you leave to run the 14 months and concentrate on saving?

Chocolatedrinker

I'm going to let the loan run as I'd like to try and clear the credit card in 14 months if possible as I want to avoid the interest charges when the interest free period ends.

Collected the child from grandparents yesterday, they came home with some new clothes including coat, pair of boots and pair of shoes - very pleased because it saves me some cash!

pidge04

14 payments left on your loan! The end is in sight!!

Chocolatedrinker

Car is going in for its MOT on Friday - I have pre paid the service & MOT costs as its on a monthly service plan, so I just have my fingers crossed that there won't be anything too expensive that needs fixing.

Chocolatedrinker

Had to buy another bag for DC swimming lessons. Classes done by DC are: Cubs (£7.50 per month), Choir (free), Swimming lessons (£26 per month), Karate (£28 per month). Currently has 2 weeks left of a snorkelling course (was £30), school trip in May (£125), Cub camp in May (£45), Sailing taster course at Easter (£20). Also to pay for are wrap around care for school.


DC is being taken on holiday for a week at Easter by relatives, who are also buying some clothes for the trip, which should hopefully cover all summer clothes needed for this year.