Three years to get debt free

Fidelia

Willowtree222 said:

Morning,

I’ve switched my bank again so waiting now for £150 cash back. 

X

You seem to do a lot of bank switching, Willow.  I keep thinking about it but I only have 2 current accounts at the moment and really don't want to jettison either of them.  The switching bonus is very tempting though.  Must have a think and do something before the offers start to dry up again (if they haven't already).

Wishing you a hassle-free and frugal day.

Willowtree222

Fidelia said:

Willowtree222 said:

Morning,

I’ve switched my bank again so waiting now for £150 cash back. 

X

You seem to do a lot of bank switching, Willow.  I keep thinking about it but I only have 2 current accounts at the moment and really don't want to jettison either of them.  The switching bonus is very tempting though.  Must have a think and do something before the offers start to dry up again (if they haven't already).

Wishing you a hassle-free and frugal day.

Thank you, I hope you do too. 
I have one main bank account that I never switch. Lenders like longevity so I ensure that this one stays and my major bills come out of this one. Then I have one that has two direct debits only coming out and this is the one I switch all the time. It can have an impact on credit score though as they do a credit check, but as I am not needing anything at the minute then I have taken the risk. Normally I would only do it every 6 months and if I am in my mortgage renewal year, I don't do it before that. I guess it's just about knowing what it can impact and avoiding that. 

It works for me anyway. I only have one more switch offer I can get so that will be mid year now and then wait a few years before I can access the switches if they are still open then. 
x

Willowtree222

Morning, 

I have ordered shopping for the weekend. I always spend more when I visit so I have tried to stay away from physically visiting now as when I go in stores, I spend double. I have moved a lot of money round this month to maximise what I can save. Although there are several jobs at work for me, my back is not in a good place and I am no longer sure it is right for me anymore. I have cut back on everything I possibly can and spent last month paying off anything that was outstanding or any cost that might have been coming this month that I could see. That has really put me in a good position. I do need to do an updated bills thing to see where I am up to though and what my bottom line is. I will need at least three months pay saved. Five months would put me in a great position. 

I am conscious being at home this week about the heating so have sat with a hat on and two jumpers and a blanket whilst I have been working which has kept the heating off all day. I put it on just before DD is home and the usual morning get up so she is lovely and warm but I am not using any extra. This will hopefully keep the costs down as well. 

Next week we have plans quite a few days. I have factored in some spending days with her as well as some days where we keep costs low. I already have the things I need on those days and she likes the balance of days out and also days at home. 

I will need to stay out of my overdraft so the money I have moved into savings might need some moving back as I have been ambitious with how much I have put away. I hope I can make it work this month. 
I am owed:

£115 friend for bathroom stuff (will buy DD birthday present)
£10 sale (will cover something)
£150 switching fee- could be months (will see when it arrives what I need - car service due May so might pay for this)
£37 cashback - not arrived in my account yet - Paying for an activity next week. 

Willowtree222

My old bank has blocked the switch so I need to deal with that today.

Received the £37 so that’s good. 

I’ve made the decision to up my shopping budget to £30 a week and stock up on expensive items so I have them. Things like washing powder, fabric softener, dishwasher tablets etc. that way I know I’ve got loads in and I don’t need to worry about them.

I logged into my energy account and they want me to increase my payments. I tried months ago to keep it in the £60s but they reduced it to £47 which is the maximum they said I could pay. Now it is back in the £60s. I just wish they would have let me leave it at that in the first place so I had a decent credit for the winter. 

Half term holiday starts this afternoon. Next week I want to ensure that I’m ready to start getting extra bits in to stock up so need to sort storage space out in the cupboard. That’ll get me motivated. 

DD’s school are always asking for money and donations. They have world book day coming up but want them to dress as animals so that’s another cost. They say just use face paints but DD has sensitive skin and her friends have costumes and I don’t want her to be the odd one out. Due a £10 voucher on Monday so I’ll use part of that to pay for it. 

X

Willowtree222

DD as football this morning. 9am meet 😴

Hope everyone is okay after the storm. It didn’t hit here until late afternoon and went on through the night. We were a bit worried about one of the fences but it made it through. 

Accounts are okay. Hoping they stay like that though. 

X

Parkyp

Enjoy the football. 

No storm here we just had snow yesterday morning causing travel problems but it had disappeared by the afternoon x

Willowtree222

Parkyp said:

Enjoy the football. 

No storm here we just had snow yesterday morning causing travel problems but it had disappeared by the afternoon x

We’ve just got back . it did not stop raining the whole time we were there and was awful. Picking up shopping at 5pm but other than that I’m staying in under a blanket. It’s awful out there. 

Willowtree222

Shopping bought and just over the £30 budget. That includes fabric softener as well as Easter eggs too. If I get them bought, that’s also one less thing to buy. I’ve got 6 up to now so only another couple to get. 

Most of the money has come in. I’m owed £135 cash still, but that will be At least another week. 
I’ll likely get another £25 supermarket voucher and that will be stocking up on more items for September just in case. I’ll get dishwasher tablets with that one. I’m due another £10 online one on Monday and that will part pay for the onesie. I’ll also need to start putting away for DD’s school uniform. Little and often will be the best option for that, some of the £25 voucher will be used for that from now on, 

I sold an item yesterday so that’s another £10 heading into my account on Monday.  I’m checking the money daily and crossing it all off as it goes out. 

Still need to sort out the bank switch. 🙄

Willowtree222

I've been trying to make a list of things that cost the most in my shopping.
I have:
washing powder
dishwasher tablets
fabric softener
toilet rolls
Shampoo and conditioner
Rabbit food- I can't stock up on this as I need to store it securely.

Not sure what else costs the most? This was all I could think of. 

I have cleared out a space to start storing most of the above and will start every week adding bits to it. I already have one fabric softener, one box of washing powder so at least I have made a start on it. I will dedicate part of the £25 voucher every month now to ensuring I have stocked up on something. If I put £10 into it that will likely be two of the items.

I need to go on a decluttering mission this next week. x

Willowtree222

Spent £66 today. It was for all the items above 😂 my parents shop in a big wholesalers and text this morning to ask if I wanted anything. I decided to stick up whilst I have the money. I’ve got enough toilet roll for 6 months now, dishwasher and washing tablets for about 5 months and shampoo for about 3. Next time I get paid, I’ll do the same. I’ll do it every pay day for the next few months to ensure I’ve got at least a years supply just in case of my job. If I don’t stay on at this place, it will be my choice. My back is bad and I just don’t want to risk it any more. If i stock up then I know I’m covered for the basics and expensive things. 

Hope everyone is well and enjoying Sunday x