When the bottom line figure is scary! But you have to start somewhere

mrsmoneypenny90

@enthusiasticsaver I am glad you agree we may as well use the extra disposable income this month to throw at the extortionate 28% interest rate on the Halifax card, my car finance is surprisingly low APR, around 3.5% from memory and i have chosen to up the monthly payment once the repayments start, although they have said no extra interest is charged in this repayment holiday, but i do appreciate credit cards arent the same they still charge the interest. 

@GeorgianaCavendish thanks for your comment. I am now heading to comparison sites for contents insurance. 

So this is also my evening check in. Made homemade Pizza for dinner for the first time and my oh my they were fab! and so easy. I will not be buying pre made or takeaway pizza again, if anyone wants the recipe it is here:- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pizza-margherita-4-easy-steps 
Other good news my OH got a market research today for this week, we know a family friend that recruits for them and this one is £55 cash paid into the bank so we are going to add that to the 'entertainment' pot as it has dawned on me that as we are going to be on this repayment plan for the next 2 yrs we do still need the odd treat or we will go insane. 

Also, I have today phoned up and cancelled my Tesco credit card and cut it up - It only had a £500 limit on it so i didnt think it would be beneficial to keep it open in case of a 0% transfer option and in a way i kind of feel like Tesco CC is the enemy and i dont want to give them any more of my hard earned money. I know it is only a small step but i have NEVER EVER cancelled a credit card before so this is a momentous moment for me  

Happy evening all x 

shoppingobsessed2020

Sounds a really positive day.  I’m jealous of the new car lol, love that new car smell and no mot for 3years.  I would still suggest putting money aside for some maintenance as it will need tyres and servicing unless you’ve got a service plan.  I needed £800 a couple of years ago for winter tyres on my car so can be rather eek when you do need to raid the emergency fund for things like tyres.  

Looking forward to the huge cheer post you will get when you get a chunk thrown at that Halifax card in a few days time.  Well don’t on cancelling the Tesco card, I’m off to do my capital one card tonight and can’t wait.  It’s such a weird enjoyable feeling.

WhySeaEm

Sounds like a good day! Well done for cutting up the card. 

WhySeaEm

I love a new car too, there's nothing like it. First thing I'm buying when we're debt free is a new motor!

mrsmoneypenny90

Evening,

just checking in. Three proud moments for me to acknowledge;
1. Last night I was ordering a BBQ from the Argos website and I was so so tempted to buy a Roberts radio that I have been longing for. They had an offer for buy now pay later for 6 months, I even put it in my basket and then had a moment of clarity, the £52k of debt screamed into my ear and reality kicked in. The BBQ on the other hand is something we had previously discussed and agreed to buy to sweeten lockdown life, and so I don’t regret that purchase. And at £100 it didn’t break the bank. That is coming out of my Monzo bank Monzo that I have left before payday which is 7 days away and counting...
2. Husband called up and called his capital one account which has a limit of £1000 on it but we haven’t touched it since Feb. 

3. I had to go into the post office today to return a delivery from H&M which o had ordered before LBM so I have returned that, PLUS our post office is in a supermarket and I did not buy.one.single.thing! I made a conscious effort not to even pass through the aisles. 

Oh I also made houmous for the first time every, super easy and cheap, but now I have my own body weight of the stuff!

I know the above are only little things but I’m kind of proud. 

Anyway enough waffle from me. Goodnight 😊

joedenise

Well done on taking the non-essential, non-planned spend out of the basket that is a real victory!  As is returning the H&M order without spending any money in the supermarket!

I love HM hummus and quite often make it.  I also make falafels but I bake them not fry them so that they are healthier too but when I do them I have to remember to soak some dried chickpeas overnight as they work better with dried ones than canned ones.

mrsmoneypenny90

@joedenise I might have to give falafel a go next! Thanks for the positive comment too. 😊

WhySeaEm

Well done on resisting the purchase! It's so hard though isn't it. 

joedenise

mrsmoneypenny90 said:

@joedenise I might have to give falafel a go next! Thanks for the positive comment too. 😊

I use a recipe by Tori Avery (https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/falafel/) well, at least it's based on this recipe!  I usually make about 1/4 of the recipe and make them into small falafels, about a Tbs each, and bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes @ 200.  They are quite mild so if you like them spicier use a bit more than a pinch of cayenne (I usually use around 1/4 tsp in 1/4 batch).  If you try them tell me what you think.  I use a spray oil rather than ordinary oil to keep the calories down too!

Lu2025

Evening Mrs MoneyPenny, I have been a lurker for a while, I have started following a couple of diaries one being yours. I don't have the confidence yet to start my own thread but thought I would follow you as we are very similar, in everything really. Similar amount of debt and im only a couple of weeks into trying to stick to a budget. This is the first month in my life where we have £100 or so quid remaining. However, with lockdown and not having hair, nails, restaurants, holidays etc etc then that explains everything😂.

Anyway want to wish you the best and would love to follow on your journey.