Dolly's Diary - 2022 and Onwards

LittleMissDetermined

WinterWarrior said:

 My credit report has a few ambers now because I don’t use credit, when I owed money they were all green! It’s a crazy system. 

I've just reached the utopia of 999 on Experian and I'm thrilled, but I agree, still owing £12500 on cards should be factored in, yet it doesn't seem to be. 

I think usage needs to be regular and low, but paid off each month to keep your score in check

LMD x

_Dolly_Rocker_

I haven't checked mine for a while, will log in this week at some point and see what it is. 

Just been out for a few wee bits and bobs, trying to be really strict with the shopping this month so only buying what we need. 

Really wanted to grab some lunch on the go but came home instead and raided the cupboards for something instead. 

I'm going to keep a track of my daily spends for each month and aim to meal plan every week. 

Back to work till 6:30pm so gonna get the Encanto soundtrack on and get on with it!

_Dolly_Rocker_

So update for today;

Went to B&M and Home Bargains. Bought puppy food which I needed as I was running out. Picked up silicone cupcake moulds so that I can do homemade puppy treats in the freezer and also picked up a shower caddy cos I really am sick of falling over bottles in my shower. Now you could say that was a want and not a need but I'm going to take that as a win because even though I seen a few things I wanted I didn't buy them so - yay me!

I'm keeping receipts so that I can track my spending daily to keep a better track of where the money is going. 

Also cashed out £10 from Opinion Outpost. Used that to pay a tiny bit of each of the CC's to round the numbers down a bit - drives me crazy those wee odd amounts. That was £8.05 spent so the £1.95 I will pay off my day to day CC (DTDCC) - every little helps right?!?

I'm just waiting on £12 from Pinecone to clear and when it does it will get paid straight to the DTDCC to help a tiny bit with that balance. 

I'm really really focussing on getting this to a zero balance by the end of the year so that I don't need to rely on it to eat. 

GinoOhGinoGinelli

Hello @_Dolly_Rocker_,

I've just come across your diary and have been reading through it. My list of goals is so similar to yours, right down to trying to stop spending an absolute fortune on pet toys and treats..!

It's great that you have all your cards at 0%, that will make a such a difference.

Good luck with the rest of your debt-free journey!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Thanks! Think the toys and treats is gonna be a hard one tbh but I survived a trip to B&M and Home Bargains without buying him a toy or a treat so woo!

_Dolly_Rocker_

So payday this month was a few days early which really knocks me off for the month. 

I've been spending on the DTDCC - can't really avoid that right now but I'm making positive changes to get it down as quick as possible. 

All the spends from 26th January I'll add to the tracker for 1st February then daily I'm keeping track so that I limit my spending as much as possible. 

Also going to keep track of my survey cash outs that I transfer straight to that CC, I want that balance gone ASAP.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Survey Cash Out - DTDCC
£34.42 - 31st January 2022

shell16

Hi @_Dolly_Rocker_

I too track all my spending which really helps to keep me on track.  I have a budget book which has a month close off page but I have decided to close off week by week so I know how much of each category budget I have spent in that week.  So for this month I already know I have used all my Fuel budget for the cars.  I don't get paid for another 2 weeks, but I'm now mindful that I need to be careful about going here there and everywhere.  Its highly likely I'm going to need further top-ups in the car but its at the forefront now.

Surveys are great for chucking the cash to debt.  I have been on my journey since August last year and I'm nearing £200 for Prolific already!  It all mounts up, I even go for the survey screeners too.  I know these amounts are low, but they do add up.  I have added a part to my signature for PAD payments which are above my usual monthly payments.  This helps to keep me motivated as  I can see exactly how much extra I have chucked towards debt.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Yeah think tracking is going to really help. 

Feeling motivated about it already even though I know I've overspent due to unexpected expenses but what can you do eh? 

This month will be better. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

February Daily Spend Tracker
£149.81 - 1st February 2022*
£5.17 - 2nd February 2022

*Includes spends from 26th January due to early payday.