Attempt what seems to be 6778676786

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

I seem to have this really weird relationship with getting debt free - I'm either on the wagon and busting my debt like no ones business or not only do I fall off the wagon, but I send fire to it and shoot all the witnesses meaning I run the debt back up.

*deep breath* so here we go - again - and I know what your going to say been there, done that, set up shop, closed shop. Some folk are going to see I haven't had my lightbulb moment but in actual fact it was a lightbulb that brought me here (again). You see I LOVE lights wall lights, novelty lights you name it I love them. My flat is covered with them and during lockdown I went a little crazy and discovered eBay and ended up with 7 lava lamps but even that wasn't the final straw.
You see, I found this Insta light maker and like a moth to a flame I instantly started stalking her. Then i noticed she was having a sale, so OBVIOUSLY I wanted I buy a 4ft circus design LOVE lamp (I know, I know) for *cough* £725 *cough* and when I told my OH this (now husband for those who have followed my journey) he kindly explained I was robbing myself, him and us from the future we wanted which is nothing dramatic - ideally a couple of kids and our own house with a garden (I'm not sure in my future visions if a 4ft love light is included - too soon for jokes? Okay)

So on that note Hi! Hola! Pronto!
Thanks for popping by to my new online debt free diary.

In terms of money coming in I have a full time job (W1) in a charity call centre for 37.5 hours a week (ironically giving out money advice)  and 2 part time jobs. One is as a telephone befriender (W2) 4 hours a week which I honestly adore and the last one is a little "work when you can - 1st come 1st served" number for the NHS (W3) the hours are always varied so I can't count on shifts Im able to do - since COVID I have been furloughed from W3 so we can ignore it for just now.

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

Hello *waves*
You've got this. Last time. No more 4ft love lights. 

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster said:

Hello *waves*
You've got this. Last time. No more 4ft love lights. 

When I get debt free this time I can give everyone a lava lamp to celebrate!

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

Amazing 😂 it's there a colour choice?

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

Day 1
- Yesterday was a no spend day! HURRAY - I made sandwiches for work and spent the evenings at my cousins playing a new version of pictonairy. Cards on the table does ANYONE enjoy NSDs? It was so difficult as yesterday was a heatwave and I was gagging for an ice lolly but I survived. I also keep reading about folk who do no spend months and part of me is like sure you do. Like how is it possible?
- Work was really quiet so I was researching loads of ways to make every penny a prisoner - did you know you should only use your AC whilst driving in high speeds and the rest of the time you should put your windows down? 
- A few weeks ago I received a letter from HMRC saying that I owe £1700  apparently during the last code (unkowning to me) their system automatically changed my tax code not once but twice (with W2 and W3 they have always been taxed at BR but apparently the HMRC system changed it to SB160) so I called up and disputed the amount. I received a letter back saying "Thanks for your call. Soz it happened - we don't know why but errr its your fault your tax code was changed as you never noticed so thanks!".
I phoned them back up again yesterday so its a waiting game whilst they investigate what happened. I'm all for paying what I know but I feel in this occasion they should meet me halfway since it was there system that made the mistake.
- A girl at W2 is leaving  the semi good news is I've been asked to work her shifts so as of the middle of next month my allotted shifts will go from 4 hours to 8.
- Ive worked out my Jul/Aug budget and after all my DDs and bill payments I'll be left with £109 disposable income. Thankfully in the house its the OH that buys all the food shopping and I don't need to buy any toiletries - before life of debt busting or (DLDB) during lockdown I "little" aka a lot eBay and Amazon crazy and bought loads of clothes (mostly sequin dresses - name a colour of sequin and I most likely have it) and also loads of bulk products (5L of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, fairy liquid and cleaning products) so I don't think I need to be getting anything for a while 
- Quick question guys has anyone subscribed to "super blue" apparently they give you loads of discounts like for Tescos, ASDAs, Uber and various other places but its like a yearly cost of £39.99. I'm just wondering if it will be worth it.

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

Day 2 - Quick Update.
- I think I have finally managed to convince my mum that I am back on the wagon and the driver is fine after she sent me a "bargain" offer involving tie dye (I love tie dye and colour) so even I was shocked when I said no it wasn't in my budget and so were my friends when I sent them the screenshots - a few of them are wondering who I am and what I've done with the real Megano.
- I've been a bit nervous as today was my first outing as a new debt buster. I was invited to get some lunch with a few friends now DLDB I would be the first one at the bar, getting the shots and not looking at the prices but today I set myself a goal of spending no more than £10 in total and I managed it with a whole £1 to spare!
- I was also asked to pick up some shopping by the OH. I walked into the Co and realised I could get the items cheaper at home bargains so away I went and managed to get cat litter, bin bags, and tomato sauce for £8.87. I'm trying to convince the OH and our cat that we are able to downgrade our cat litter onto the cheaper stuff. Fingers crossed.

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

Day 4
- Picture the scene for me. I made a batch roast tomato and pepper soup yesterday so this morning I get up and pack my lunchbag. When I get to work I had to spray my hands with antibacterial spray and then in what appears to be slow motion I dropped my bag.
At first I thought everything was fine but then I realised the soup had leaked everywhere so not only was I a plastic tub and lunch down but the whole office smelt like soup from 8am.
-Managed to do my shopandscan and neilson tracker for the week. I know its not "money in the bank" but any points I get will go towards our Xmas fund.
- Made a massive amount of mac and cheese tonight so tomorrows lunch is sorted.
-Managed to make a sneaky payment of £4.02 to the BC. I'm so looking forward to my 0% BT going through and I can finally get my figures all updated and start seriously debt busting.

BlindedByTheLightPart2345

I think my no impulse spending is going really well. Its been 3 days and I've only spent £22ish (It was my penpals birthday so I transferred him $10 as he lives in the states and the remaining amount was at the post office to post from Facebay sales away)
I'm taking my lunch into work and I've cut right back on drinking fizzy juice and now i'm only drinking water.
Also made another sneaky payment of £4ish to the BC

ImpulseSpender

BlindedByTheLightPart2345 said:

I think my no impulse spending is going really well. Its been 3 days and I've only spent £22ish (It was my penpals birthday so I transferred him $10 as he lives in the states and the remaining amount was at the post office to post from Facebay sales away)
I'm taking my lunch into work and I've cut right back on drinking fizzy juice and now i'm only drinking water.
Also made another sneaky payment of £4ish to the BC

You sound like you're doing well! Taking lunch into work if you're used to buying it everyday is such a game changer for saving money.

RobM99

"At first I thought everything was fine but then I realised the soup had leaked everywhere so not only was I a plastic tub and lunch down but the whole office smelt like soup from 8am."
  

RobM99

It's easy to get sucked into habit spending.  When working @ refinery, we had a vending machine. I realised I was spending £13 a WEEK on tinned drinks! I switched to chilled water....