One small step or a giant leap

2021df

LBM Feb 18 24k debt
Relapse Feb 19
Bolt Of Lightning Mar 19 17.2k debt

I had my Light Bulb Moment in Feb 18 and after finding the forum in Apr 18 and religiously following the posts for 9 months had a relapse last month.

I was taking small steps and good progress towards being DF but still had some little occasional vices - posh coffee / smoking!

Feb 19 I slipped up and fell back into gambling :mad: and managed to add £1200 to my debt.!

I am now sitting having my final posh coffee (using the loyalty points) and have decided to go for a giant leap this time - giving up smoking / gambling and posh coffee all at once!!!!!!

Over the last week, I have read the full diaries from OneBrokeLady, BalanceBy50, Treadingonplaymobil and teafor2 and have been enthused with admiration and respect for them so have decided to start my own.

[Deleted User]

Welcome and happy new diary x

pidge04

Love the bolt of lightning!!

Good luck!

2021df

I have finally completed an SOA:

Personal Balance Sheet
Monthly Budget Summary Amount(£)
Total monthly income 1,843.18
Monthly expenses (incl. HP & secured loans) 1,556.83
Available for debt repayments 286.35
Unsecured debt repayments 286.34
Amount left after debt repayments 0.01

Personal Balance Sheet Summary Amount(£)
Total Assets (things you own) 4,500
Total Secured & HP Debt -854.46
Total Unsecured Debt -16,141.65
Net Assets -12,496.11


Statement of Affairs

Household Information
Number of adults in household 1
Number of children in household 0
Number of cars owned 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax 1843.18
Total monthly income 1843.18

Monthly Expense Details
Secured/HP loan repayments 48.00
Rent 450.00 (includes Elec Water Gas Council Tax and Broadband)
Mobile phone 50
TV Licence 13
Groceries etc. 180
Clothing 25
Petrol/diesel 100
Road tax 5
Car Insurance 45
Car maintenance (including MOT) 26
Car parking 42
Child maintenance 300.83
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc) 10
Contents insurance 14
Life assurance 10
Presents (birthday, christmas etc) 25
Haircuts 10
Entertainment 25
Emergency fund 25
Union 18
Tobacco 135
Total monthly expenses 1556.83


Assets
Cash 0
Car(s) 4500
Other assets 0
Total Assets 4500


Secured & HP Debts
Description Debt Monthly APR
Hire Purchase (HP) debt 854.46 (48) 0
Total secured & HP debts 854.46

Unsecured Debts
Description Debt Monthly APR
CC1 3551.33 22.75 0
CC2 2650.87 16.76 0
CC3 3214.39 21.56 0
CC4 241.10 11.58 10.0*
CC5 484.60 23.16 39.9*
CC6 486.74 23.16 39.9*
CC7 196.50 8.8 35.9*
PDL1 93.27 27.79 292*
PDL2 210.00 19.46 292*
PDL3 412.81 57.44 292*
LOAN 4600.04 53.88 0
*Request made to freeze fees and interest

Scott-Weiland

Hi your soa seems quite good can i ask one thing are you a cigarette smoker i presume? Dont worry i am not a doom and gloom member of anti smoking brigade lol How many do you smoke a day??

I am an ex 15-20 a day lucky strike smoker for my sins.

My idea was lol here me out on this one get yourself too a vape shop, you can get a decent vape for about 30 quid- 40quid. And a vape liquid that will last you a month for a tenner. From here your boosting your disposable income by 70-80quid.

I have spent thousands on the bloody things so i know its hard. For me i did a rapid cut down when the cigarettes i was smoking hit 9.50 a packet and i was spending 200 a month on them. I started vaping and cut myself from 15-20 a day too 8 a day quite rapidly. Then 3 months later i was off them all together.

Scott-Weiland

Another thought if you did this sorry too sicken you its 1620 a year you wouldnt be spending on funding Phillip Hammonds pocket.

2021df

Thanks Scott - that is exactly what I have done. Been vaping for a week now.
7 days not smoking
7 days no gambling
7 days no unbudgetted spending

Scott-Weiland

Result excellent what type of Vape are you using it and how are you finding it??

I couldnt go cold turkey i would of hurt people.

2021df

I was given a Kangertech Evod for my birthday - so have finally started using it.
Been tough especially planning when to charge the one battery I had - additional one on order now.

Scott-Weiland

Tell you what i use which are handy i think poundland sell them, them usb power banks you can use them for charging mobiles.

I have being caught short once or twice at work, work twist if we charge vapes on the pcs.

I use a smok vape pen 22 i think its canny but took abit getting used too.