What will you do different next year?

doodledo_2

I have decided 2008 IS going to be the year I clear all my unsecured debt!

So to do this obviously things have to change. I am doing stuff now but with xmas and birthdays in December its a bit of a poop month.

So from January I am going to make real changes to bust our debt.

Have only thought of a few so far but hoping some of you will come along and add some more for me

1) I AM going to make packed lunches for me and hubby. This has been very hit and miss lately and inevitably results in stupid money being spent in M&S.

2) Me and hubby are both having a cash amount each week for general spends (thinking £20) rather than the annoying habit we have of getting a tenner out what seems every bloody day.

3) I will ebay everything I can possibly ebay in the house and every single penny will go on our debt.

4) Will do my clicks daily come what may.

Ok thats it for now.

In_Search_Of_Me

A bit like you I'v ehad far too much faffing & ebay money etc has gone of treats rather than debt busting most of the time! Next year my main aim is to redress the balance a bit and have more going on debt than treats that I dont need! Will still have some treats, just not as many!

babes21

Good thread doodle.

I will:

* Take a packed lunch to work (i do this at the moment, but find myself slipping at times)

* Keep a spending diary daily

* Only buy the items which i really *need* and cut all the junk out like fizzy drinks, magazines, snacks etc.

* Put more money into my savings

* Do my best to quit smoking

* Ebay, ebay and ebay

* Give myself a budget each week and only take that out the cashpoint at the start of the week and make it last me throughout

evab_2

Ooh great thread!

I'm just setting up another account so we will have main account for bills and another account for spends, food and petrol. Hopefully we will then make sure that we stick to a budget and have our bills going out properly!

We are also DEFINATELY! putting aside money each month to pay for car tax, ins, house ins etc that usually comes in a lump sum or will save us on monthly payments.

Carry on with Quidco etc, surveys which have been very profitable this year and matched betting as and when cash flow allows.

I'm determined that this time next year when we have a lot of expenses at once, we can pay it without a worry.

Oh and also graduate from my PGCE course in June! I've already got some extra teaching lined up :j

Ev x

tealady

I'm going to batch cook, check grocery websites for BOGOFs and offers and will put any money left over at the end of the week into my piggy bank (small change) or savings account (notes).

pippo

Hi,
2008 has to be the year for me too!
I'm trying to have a happy Christmas without adding to debt so I have sort of started now with the December Challenge, but I do need to take things more seriously!

I will review all debts & budgets:eek:
I will revert to no unnecessary spending (thanks again CAFCgirl)
I will hang my clothes up when I come in from work and wear again later in the week rather than washing every thing even if it doesn't need it!
I will put cheques straight into the bank when(if) I get them!

I will think about more to do while I'm ironing:mad:

Oh there's another one - fold & put away when dry instead of ironing absolutely everything as I do now!
Pip

bathgatebuyer

I always right last years resolutions on a piece of paper and put it in the box with the Xmas tree - sorting out my money always seems to be number one on the list!

So, it is again this year. I have £5K of unsecured debt, no secured debt at all, and can see an end to this cycle. In want 2008 and to be the year it happens.

I have £800 on a Halifax credit card, £2.5K on a Sainsburys card, £1900 on an RBoS card, and £700 left on a Cahoot loan taken out in Feb 2004. So, it's definitely possible on a £31K salary to get rid of it! I just need to focus my mind and say, "This is the year".

So, I'm going to make financial decisions that benefit me in the medium to longer term. By that, I mean that I'm not going to focus on this week or next week, but focus on what I want to achieve in the next 5 years. I want to eventually move house, but I want to do it securely and with savings behind me. It also means that I will no be dictated to by getting the things I want now and paying for it later. I've done that way too often and it's time to change that style of living.

At the moment, for example, I've been offered a chance to withdraw about £1500 from an old pension scheme (my contributions less tax), or transfer it and keep the employer's contributions into my new scheme (about £4600). Now, the £1500 would be great (particularly as my 7 yr old jalopy is due the MOT and tax in Feb), but I'm saying 'no' to myself over this issue. I want to start making sensible, mature decisions about money and inevitably saying 'no' to myself is a huge part of that.

CRANKY40

I will not buy anything on credit. That's it.

esthomizzy

I'm going to get tougher on myself. I just analysed my weeks spending on spending diary and I spent £120. That is far more than I wanted to. £50 was on gifts so without them I would have been within budget but I'm still cross at myself for being so weak willed on the subject of gifts. I know it is stupid to be generous when I can't quite make ends meet and I know I will regret it come the end of the month but I still did it.

Also in 2008 I'm going to
Complete all those niggling DIY jobs that there is never really time/enthusiasm for
Be more methodical about housework
Continue making lunches and eating leftovers but never waver from this even when tempted
Stop going to starbucks with my colleagues (hard to break)
Use OS boards and properly food plan (also hit and miss at the moment, I still spend far more on food than I want to)
I'm also going to think of a diplomatic way to avoid it somehow being my turn to pay for shopping when we are in Waitrose and OH (the joys of dating a non MSE spendthrift) has just filled the basket with expensive things that he likes. It's going to be my turn when at the Market or in the supermarket buying reduced stuff and BOGOFs.

On the plus side
During 2007 I've learnt to budget much more harshly than before
I cycle most places so no/low transport costs
I like cheap entertainment like gardening and cooking anyway luckily
I got out of a previous long term relationship which wasn't going anywhere

So hooray. Here's to 2008 being a fabulous year!

southernscouser

I'm gonna try and get the number of notches on my bedpost into triple figures! :cool:

Only another 100 to go then!

RoxieW

hi all - I'm going to...

1) try and save £700 a month towards my £50,000 in 3 years challenge
2) keep a note of everything i spend and STICK to the budget
3) take part in the £10 a day challenge every month
4) get accepted by AQA or other little side job
5) keep menu planning and batch cooking
6) keep ebaying
7) dont buy unnecessary crap

good luck everyone!