KellsBells and buckets of cash - debt free diary

Sue-UU

KellsBells wrote: »

It is just over a month ago we lost my Dad, and the bereavement has caused me to take stock of my life. I want to stop giving the wrong example to my children with my spendthrift and 'devil may care' attitude to finances.

I apologise in advance if this diary is boring and mundane. I apologise if I ramble and confuse.However, I make no apology as to my reason for the diary - I am after a better way of life for myself and my children. What better reason could there be?
SOA to follow.

Hi Kelly,

There's certainly no rambling going on here, it sounds far more like one VERY determined young lady on a mission to get her and her family a good life. I think you'll get there too! What better time to start than after your Dad's sad death. So sad your parents both (seemingly) died so very young from an awful disease....so good that their dear Daughter is so very sensible in wanting the best for herself though! I honestly believe you'll achieve your goal and be debt free just as soon as it's possible.

It sounds as though you've so far had some marvellous advice from beckseven & ms_london, I'd listen to it all and act on it if I were you, but I don't think you need telling as you're a very wise young lass!

All the very best of luck Kelly and I'll keep a watchful eye on your progress.

Sue.

neverdespairgirl

Elec - 45.00 (both b/gas for the dual fuel discount) - £135 on bills per month seems very high to me - are you sure these figures are right? Sadly, yes. Am paying off arrears, plus we use a lot of gasSo once the arrears are paid off, the bills will be lower?

Phone, internet & tv - all virgin media - 75 - 80.00 - that's an awful lot, altogether you are spending £110 a month on phones and TV. Virgin do much cheaper deals, perhaps you should have a look at one of their all-in-for-under-£40 deals? Fantastic - I will do just that. Saving a load on this a month would really help.

Laptop repair cover 8.99 - this seems a very high amount, over £100 a year for repair insuance? I'd get rid. Are you sure? the laptop is brand new and was a costly investment at £449, would be hearbroken if anything were to happen to it... The thing with these insurance deals is that they are often quite bad value. Check the policy - what does it cover? How much would it cost to repair if you didn't have the insurance?

Food & grocery 400 - seems quite high for 4 of you, I reckon you could shave £50 of this without even noticing. I'll try, but this does include pet food and toiletries etc Make a list of what you need, by checking what you already have, getting an idea of what meals you're planning, and this saves quite a bit without sacrificing too much.


Nursery - 266 - have you checked whether either yours or OH's work does childcare vouchers? it's a much cheaper way of doing things. We do them at my work, I've never really understood them but I'll speak to personnel on Monday Please do that - they honestly are a very financially-efficient way of paying for childcare. It's one of those things where you can save money with no pain at all, so go for it! There's an article on this website about them <rummages> here you go! http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health/childcare-vouchers

That link reckons that if you are earning £10K - £33K and paying over £243 a month in childcare costs, you will save £962 a year by using vouchers. That's £80 a month! So definitely talk to work about it, that's serious money.


Tv lice - 11.61 - sounds painful, maybe you can get some cream to get rid of them....? lol!! didn't notice that!:rotfl:Sorry, couldn't help myself!:rotfl:

Hairdresser 43 - blimey, what do you do to it? You seem to have gorgeous hair from your avatar, but £516 a year is quite a lot LOL I know it's a lot, it's a cut and colour at 65.00 every three months. I think I'm just tight about hair, I have long, straight hair, cut along the bottom and just have it cut every 3-4 months for £15 a time, so £5 a month! Well, I say every 3-4 months, that reminds me, it was last cut in July and is almost at my waist and taking FAR too long to dry! Must get it chopped a bit :rotfl:([/quote]

taxi73

Welcome back kellsbells...really nice to see you again.
Sorry about your fathers death..I also don't have anything to add to your SOA as the others have already said what I was going to say.
You also seem to have your head screwed on and I'd pay the smaller ones of first..take care xx

KellsBells

Thanks so much guys, your words mean a great deal to me. Today I'm going to
do a budget, for the next month, and going to make a list of everyones advice and make plans to follow it all.

I also have all my direct debits coming out on the same date - first of the month. I get paid every last Friday of the month, so this makes sense.

KellsBells

Good stuff - just checked DH's capital 1 interest to make sure I had the correct info - it says "The interest you're paying this month is based on the following monthly interest rates: cash withdrawal interest 2.178%, Purchase interest 2.178%" - you don't have to times by twelve to get the apr or anything do you?

neverdespairgirl

That's the monthly interest rate - over 2% a month is horrifically high. Rough calculation in my head - for every £100 you have on the card you are paying about £28 a year in interest!

KellsBells

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

That's the monthly interest rate - over 2% a month is horrifically high. Rough calculation in my head - for every £100 you have on the card you are paying about £28 a year in interest!

Oh my Word!! right, that's it - that one's the first to go!

Had a good day yesterday, didn't spend anything that wasn't necessary. Today is a nsd thus far, but am going to have to get some milk for brews at work. Still, came home for lunch so that I could write in my diary and having lunch here, so saved my usual £2-£3 on lunch. Kerching!

Oh, and also we won £20 in our work lottery syndicate, so I have a couple of pounds to come back from that.

Happy money saving everyone.xx

neverdespairgirl

Sounds like a good day!

Sue-UU

KellsBells wrote: »

Still, came home for lunch so that I could write in my diary and having lunch here, so saved my usual £2-£3 on lunch. Kerching!

Hi Kelly, How about taking a home-made lunch to work EVERY DAY...then - if you work (say) 5 days a week (or whatever the amount is) that could be almost £10 - £15 savings pw! Quite a lot if you base it on a year........... at least a saving of £500 py!!! Also, tot up the amount - you 'might' spend on getting to and from work if you drive or have transport when you came home for lunch instead, that too could be a good saving and a good merit in your diary! It's often what we refer to as the little costs that (based on a year) add up to a heck of a lot.....and just how many little things do you have such as that? I know when I did the same count a while ago I was shocked, but I took heed and it's getting me there faster than I anticipated.

Congratulation on that £20 win!!! Sue.

KellsBells

you're so right - I'm just about to pack my sandwiches for tomorrow.

was so busy at work that I didn't leave until 9.30 pm (supposed to leave at 5.30).The good point - 4 hrs overtime. The bad point - hadn't eaten so bought a chinese on the way home as was a bit late to cook for myself and hubby.