Always_Amazed's New Year; New Diary

always_amazed

I only started my old debt diary a few months ago, but it seems muddled and sad, even though it's only got a couple of pages!! It's here if you are interested.... my old debt diary

It hasn't got any real aims in it either; and I need them really!

My current Debt Free Date is October 2010.

I had hoped to be well on my way to saving for a deposit for a house by then, so I'm going to try so hard.

My aim is to get out of debt in 2008.

My (other) aim is to reach and maintain health & fitness in 2008.

And, last but not least, seek help/ therapy/ whatever to help me to develop a healthier attitude to my mother's mental health and addiction problems.

I'll write a bit more about them another time when I feel I can.

So here's to 2008........ bring it on!!

Snaggles

Hi always_amazed, good luck with your aims for the coming year. You sound as though you have quite a lot on your plate really, so I hope you find your diary a source of support.

Good luck with bringing your debt free date forward - it would be a fantastic achievement to be debt free this year.

always_amazed

Okay...

A bit of a late one; but never mind!!

Today, to make steps towards my aims...

I swapped clothes with friends instead of going to the sales...

I went for a walk today and didn't get a lift anywhere; even to the pub!!

And I was too tired to even think about spending anything...!

So good going to me, I've finally done some things towards goals I've made and feel all the better for it!! Bring on tomorrow, for it is another day

Snaggles

I love the idea of swapping clothes rather than buying new ones. I never seem to be the same size as any of my friends in the...er......chest area so I can't really do it, but it's a great way of revamping your wardrobe a bit.

I've suddenly discovered the joys of walking too - I've got rid of my car (it fell apart), and am finding it's good for your health as well as your pocket, although I need to get doing some longer walks this week to shift some of the mince pies that seem to have taken up residence on my hips.

always_amazed

Thank you Snaggles; I too have to get rid of the mince pies!!

I was very tempted to buy some new shoes today (kind of feeling a bit unfashionable these days!!) but thankfully I've talked myself out of it; partly because I can't try them on, and partly because I can't really afford them and certainly don't need any. Actually I might go and try on some of my own shoes to cheer me up.

I'm really really worried as my CC online account doesn't seem to be showing the £300 I paid towards it at the end of December. It says it's there but it doesn't seem to be 'credited' to the account yet. I think the statement date says it's on the 10th; so hopefully should receive it by the end of the week; and I desperately hope I've not mucked up my sums. Had wanted this diary entry to be super positive and things but when the CC shows I'm £230 more in debt than I thought I was, I can't help but worry.

Will double check it with a calculator and check back with a more clear picture!!

always_amazed

Okay, I've checked it back and it doesn't make any sense actually.

It says it has received my £300, but it doesn't show in the balance, and my recent payment (on the 3rd) of £72.55 hasn't shown up at all. In fact nothing from January has. How odd. Anyway, I have work all day tomorrow and am not off until next tuesday, so I can't do much except for wait for the paper statement. I might actually quit doing the CC online if it proves all this worry is for nothing.

I'm just dreading that it has in fact all gone wrong, that the bank has broken, and I'll have to spend all of Tuesday on the phone to someone who thinks I'm lying that I've paid money.

always_amazed

Oh I'm being silly. My Balance on my CC (with all my plussing and minussing using a good old calculator comes to £700 in debt... which is what I thought it was....) is maybe just a bit behind online, and as it's not showing anything at all from this month so far (I have made payments) .

So. Anyway.

Towards my aims;
I've checked my CC online (which has worried me but never mind, think that should all be fine)

I've not done any exercise today because I have this awful tummy bug.

I've been nice to my mum!!

I have also got rid of one cardboard box full of papers; which is great as they are now filed and not making a mess in my room.

always_amazed

Oh dear; oh dear. I've been so stupid.

The reason I couldn't see my other transactions on my card was that I hadn't clicked 'next page'.

I have in fact spent all that money already.

Feel like such a failure, I'm going to have to lock up that card/ cut it up or something.

I'm off to amend my sig to show what an idiot I have been.

always_amazed

I've just cut it up. That should, I hope, save me from feeling like this again. I obviously have no control over my spending right now and the only way to tackle this right now is to cut up my card.
I always find it harder to control spending on certain occasions like when my mum is ill, which is happening at the moment.

I'm going to beat this even if I have to trick myself.
The next thing to do is to lock the peices away or burn them. And then is to set up a proper sensible budget for this year.

This is not the first time I've done this and I should have known better

xxx

Lucy1982_2

I was watching Martin's new show last night and Paul Daniels thought that credit cards should be renamed Debt Cards.

He thought that less people would be willing to hand over their debt card. Big hugs, sorry you've over spent, but we all do it (mine went on my OD!) Will it set you back a long way?

always_amazed

Thanks Lucy; (I need to find your Debt Diary too, I remember reading it and found it really interesting!)
I suppose I was a bit confused as to why this all seemed so easy!! Answer: it's not. I think I've realised that I am a person who
-prefers spending to saving
-isn't actually bothered about doing either
-doesn't mind being skint
-but hates being in debt and wants to get out.

And because the only way to get out of the debt is to start saving, which I don't actually like doing or want to, I found myself rebelling. At least I've cut up that stupid card now. I had better cancel my TopShop account as well, as if I'm not careful I'll start spending on that one as well.

My plan is now
to identify and transfer all my Direct Debit's to a non cashcard operated account.
identify a SENSIBLE spending budget for a month and put only that in my switch account.