Looking for my willpower...

FluffyFlow

Hey all, 
After getting some advise on here a couple of months ago, I seem to have spiralled backwards in a bad way. I finally thought I was getting somewhere but I obviously haven't. 
I have been reading a lot of these diaries over the past few weeks as sleep has been very little as I have been worried. I have bad mental health issues anyway and have been of work since mid March, so that isn't helping. I keep seeing everyone is saving money in lockdown and putting different pots they aren't spending towards other things..well I have just worked out that I have spent £378.42 on takeaways this past month. Split between my partner and I, that's £189.22 each. Still a disgusting figure. On top of that there is £198.87 grocery shopping, so £99.43 each. I don't even have £189.22 spare from my wages after my debts and bills so its all gone on credit. 
I have around £30k debt too. Most of it has been occurred by me and my ex husband and some just mine, because as soon as my credit rating got a bit better I took out credit and built it all up again!!  
I get paid every 4 weeks, pay day is Friday 29th May, it will be very basic as I haven't been at work, so probably £800 or less. 

My first aim with this diary, is too check in regularly and document monthly or more regular my spends. I will put what I have earnt in the month, what I have spent and how much I have paid towards my debts. 
My "challenge" this month is to have no takeaways!!! To do a meal plan and grocery shop sensibly when needed. I have read others ideas and ways they do things so have a good plan in place to what I am going to do! I just hope I stick to it. 

My overall goal is to pay of my debts as soon as possible and save with my partner so we can hopefully get on the housing ladder. We live with my mum at the moment which isn't ideal, but she has no mortgage so we basically split bills 3 ways, except food which we do between us because mum works different hours to us so we pass at different 
times. So no way would we get anywhere as cheap as this, so for the time being I have to suck it up. My own fault anyway.

Anyway, I have baffled on for long enough, I hope I can get some tips or help if you see or hear anything you think I could be doing better. Every bit of support would be greatly appreciated. 
Wish me luck!
Fluffy x

monkey62

Hello Fluffy 
Popping by to say good luck to you. I used to fill my freezer, fridge and cupboards and then get a takeaway usually through laziness I must admit. We still have a takeaway but maybe once a month as a treat.
Good plan to document spends, I did it every time I went to the shop. It's amazing how those little pop to the shops for milk trips can add up.
You can do it!!

FluffyFlow

monkey62 said:

Hello Fluffy 
Popping by to say good luck to you. I used to fill my freezer, fridge and cupboards and then get a takeaway usually through laziness I must admit. We still have a takeaway but maybe once a month as a treat.
Good plan to document spends, I did it every time I went to the shop. It's amazing how those little pop to the shops for milk trips can add up.
You can do it!!

Thanks monkey! ☺️ Yes I know the exact feeling. Plenty of food in just pure laziness in not cooking anything and ordering online. Awful habit I have gotten into! I have gotten to the point where I don’t even really enjoy takeaways so hopefully when we do have one occasionally it will become a nice treat like they used to be! Thanks for the support. 

Fluffy x

FluffyFlow

Just thought I would pop in before I go to bed, had a really good talk with my partner tonight and told him my goals within the debts. He is so supportive bless him. 

We had started to put some money away together for a mortgage thats just sitting there so he has kindly allowed me to take most of the money out to pay of some debt of my own that was incurring high interest. I have told him I will replace the money as soon as I am able too. 

So tonight I have managed to clear a credit card and a catalogue. ☺️ There is a bit left over but I haven’t decided which debt to put that on yet. £564.82 paid of in one day. Wow that feels good to say!!! 

Just wondering on people opinions on weather I should keep the catalogue and credit card open? I have £200 limit on capital 1 and £925 credit on catalogue. Ideas and suggestions welcome! 

Fluffy x

Tahlullah.H

If they stay open, you are more likely than not to spend on them and be in the same place within  a couple of months.  However, if you have no other source of income, it may be sensible to keep the credit card for those just in case moments until you manage to say up a buffer. It really depends on your genuine desire to clear your debts.  Do you need to buy anything on the catalogue that can't wait until you can save for it?

FluffyFlow

Tahlullah.H said:

If they stay open, you are more likely than not to spend on them and be in the same place within  a couple of months.  However, if you have no other source of income, it may be sensible to keep the credit card for those just in case moments until you manage to say up a buffer. It really depends on your genuine desire to clear your debts.  Do you need to buy anything on the catalogue that can't wait until you can save for it?

I am very focused on getting my debt gone this time so I suppose I should close them to avoid the temptation. I don’t need anything from the catalogue, it’s mostly used for birthday and Christmas presents because I couldn’t afford them any other way. 

I will contact both today and get them closed down! Thanks for your advice! 

Fluffy x

Doris17

Hello Fluffy, 
Well done on your achievements so far and good luck on you journey.
D.x

Kitten868

Are the catalogue and capital one credit cards the ones you've paid off with the mortgage savings? I definitely think you need to close them. As for the money left over if you pop your debts on here we will tell you which ones you pay them off of. Or it could be the start of your emergency savings? Whatever works for you. 

Takeaway free month sounds like a win! You can do it! Xxx

DancingInTheRain

Good luck and yes I would close the accounts too to remove temptation x

mark55man

good luck - and keep moving forwards one step at a time - and if you have a set back well its not the end of the world, just need to get back on.  After the initial burst of activity MSE can be very boring, so you need to get used to it, but also find cheaper (ideally free) things to keep you mentally strong.  Because when you finish clearing the debts, and you will, then you will need to sustain this way of life.  This is your new normal, and the sooner you stop hating that, the easier your journey will be.

My number one tip (which you have already identified) is tat its is the things you do lots that offer the most scope for savings - for some its coffee, for others its take out.  start by cutting down, then when you are used to that squeeze again, and then again.  good luck we are all rooting for you and can't wait to see those numbers come down

FluffyFlow

Kitten868 said:

Are the catalogue and capital one credit cards the ones you've paid off with the mortgage savings? I definitely think you need to close them. As for the money left over if you pop your debts on here we will tell you which ones you pay them off of. Or it could be the start of your emergency savings? Whatever works for you. 

Takeaway free month sounds like a win! You can do it! Xxx

Yes they are. I have spoken to them both today and they have advised me to ring back in a week as I have to wait for the final payments to clear on my account and then they will be gone! 😃 
Yes I Hope so! Sounds like such a easy thing to do - not too have a takeaway but I know I will struggle hugely, especially on bad days, but I am determined and I will be honest if I do slip up! 

Fluffy x

mark88man said:

good luck - and keep moving forwards one step at a time - and if you have a set back well its not the end of the world, just need to get back on.  After the initial burst of activity MSE can be very boring, so you need to get used to it, but also find cheaper (ideally free) things to keep you mentally strong.  Because when you finish clearing the debts, and you will, then you will need to sustain this way of life.  This is your new normal, and the sooner you stop hating that, the easier your journey will be.

My number one tip (which you have already identified) is tat its is the things you do lots that offer the most scope for savings - for some its coffee, for others its take out.  start by cutting down, then when you are used to that squeeze again, and then again.  good luck we are all rooting for you and can't wait to see those numbers come down

Thanks! ☺️ Yes I do get what you mean. I tend to get itchy feet during the middle of months as have nothing to pay of anything! Always reading through the forum and the website to find ideas and tips though 👍🏻

Fluffy x