Focused on breaking the debt chains

laurarutter89

Hello FOMO_overspender

Thank you for your reply, and for taking the time to read through my diary. 
I feel like im rambling on to myself a lot of the time, but i quite often have random things pop into my mind so do another update

I am mainly just using Prolific at the moment because I find I get the most surveys from there, and the most regular payouts. 
I used to use several sites at the same time but i personally found it difficult keeping up with them all. 

When I am sat watching TV i pop on there and see if there are any to do. Also I use Top cashback anytime i need to arrange an insurance or if I am going to buy something, I have had quite a lot back from that. 

That is a great idea in regards to the Anniversary Gift, i have been searching and searching but I do not want to spend too much but i want it to be meaningful. 

FOMO_overspender

Great to know and good tips! I signed up but then have ended up doing lots on OnePoll but the payout is £30 threshold. Will go have a look at Prolific again. 

I just got my first pictures delivered today and they’re good quality. My tip would be to try not to chose any that have been cropped by uploading to Instagram - I didn’t realise and a couple have white edges. It’s not the end of the world obviously but worth just checking it’s the original photo you chose 😊 

laurarutter89

FOMO_overspender said:

Great to know and good tips! I signed up but then have ended up doing lots on OnePoll but the payout is £30 threshold. Will go have a look at Prolific again. 

I just got my first pictures delivered today and they’re good quality. My tip would be to try not to chose any that have been cropped by uploading to Instagram - I didn’t realise and a couple have white edges. It’s not the end of the world obviously but worth just checking it’s the original photo you chose 😊 

That is great advice as I would have definitely done that. I was looking at having our first dance lyrics printed and framed but the amount people are charging is silly. 

I used to use OnePoll but because the payout threshold was so high I kept losing interest. If you can stick with it then the payout will be worth it. 

It takes a little bit of time to build up on Prolific but when you do the surveys come through regularly. 

I find it helps with the regular payouts because i can regularly pay extra to debt even if small amounts. It keeps me focused. 

FOMO_overspender

That's really nice about the lyrics. Do you have any friends who are graphic designers or a whizz on Canva? You might be able to get it done at a fraction of the cost? I did that once for my sister as a present and had the reading I did at her wedding printed, but luckily my boyfriend at the time as a graphic designer so he could do it FOC!! Then all you might need to do is get a frame? Might be worth asking any friends if they know anyone?  

Yeah that's what I think will help me, the small regular paying off of debt, so you never feel like you have come to a standstill (even though not adding to debt is as good as paying it off, in my case!) 

laurarutter89

FOMO_overspender said:

That's really nice about the lyrics. Do you have any friends who are graphic designers or a whizz on Canva? You might be able to get it done at a fraction of the cost? I did that once for my sister as a present and had the reading I did at her wedding printed, but luckily my boyfriend at the time as a graphic designer so he could do it FOC!! Then all you might need to do is get a frame? Might be worth asking any friends if they know anyone?  

Yeah that's what I think will help me, the small regular paying off of debt, so you never feel like you have come to a standstill (even though not adding to debt is as good as paying it off, in my case!) 

Unfortunately i do not know anyone But if i bought the print online and then ordered my own frame I would actually still save a lot so I may check that option.

That was a lovely gift for your sister, even better that it didn't cost anything! 

Another thing I go, its a really small thing but it i have any pence in my account i move it to a easy access savings i have with my bank, and keep doing it throughout the month. At the end of the month i pay it to my credit card.

Its only small but everything helps I find! 

FOMO_overspender

laurarutter89 said:

Another thing I go, its a really small thing but it i have any pence in my account i move it to a easy access savings i have with my bank, and keep doing it throughout the month. At the end of the month i pay it to my credit card.

This is a great idea. I just realised that my bank has a 'save the change' option where it rounds up to the nearest pound and puts in a saving account and I have set up a pot on Monzo as well to round up, so hopefully then each week there will be some small payments to help.

laurarutter89

That is really good, my bank doesn't have that so I am just making sure I check regularly and moving it myself.

Its easy not to notice small amounts going from your balance but they soon build up. 
Also i know for me that my debt didnt end up that bad from 1 purchase it was many big and small purchases. So doing the same in reverse should work.

laurarutter89

Little steps today, but paid another £5 to MBNA which covers the remainder of the minimum payment due. 

Card is now down to £1,869.46, so £369.46 remaining to hit my first goal of £1500. 

Surveys have been slow, and items on Ebay are slow to sell at the moment. 

£219 left in my bank until payday and payday is 2 weeks today. I still have my phone bill to come out which is £41.12. I know this is high but im stuck for quite some time so have to deal with it for now. 

That leaves £177.88. Of course at the moment going out and spending anything is not needed, but if the weather is nice we like to sit in the garden with beers. 
So realistically i will say I will have £150 left before payday, so should be able to save a bit and also pay to my credit card

FOMO_overspender

laurarutter89 said:

 I still have my phone bill to come out which is £41.12. I know this is high but im stuck for quite some time so have to deal with it for now. 

Woo for the little steps 💪 amazing

With your phone bill, not sure who you are with but I am with 3 and I went on the live chat and spoke to them about reducing my monthly bill. I explained I had debt to repay and for them to check my actual monthly allowance (as I had unlimited everything) and they took my bill down by £15pm and then made sure I had enough data and calls based on my usual usage. So I would definitely try... you never know, they might surprise you. 

laurarutter89

Thank you FOMO_overspender!
I will try that, I am with 02 and have been for quite some time.
I regret signing up for it, I was too tempted by the idea of a new phone.

I would not do that again in honesty,  and i never phone or text so it seems silly to have unlimited minutes and texts.