"Thevinternet's still in debt" diary

thevinternet

Right, haven't posted in a few days, so time for a catchup.

Well, it's getting a bit tight this month, but I've managed to secure an extra shift for this weekend, so hopefully that should keep the heat off for a little while. Made a slow cooker vegetarian meal tonight too so that is saving me some pennies for the next couple of days (I always make LOADS, so there are lots of leftovers).

I am still managing to make a 'payment a day' to the debts, although they are very small ones! Still, it's a good habit to keep up I feel. I am also entering competitions like a maniac, although I still seem to be a lot slower than many people on here! No proper wins yet but I'm keeping my fingers crossed...some freebies or a small cheque would be great!

The OH is still undecided about this money-saving business and still splurges occasionally....although I think he does enjoy me doing all this cooking

No other news for now so I'll keep it short and sweet. Adios money-saving amigos, I hope you've all had a great day.

Dinah93

Just so you don't think you're talking to yourself (Well you were, but I'm back now)

How are you hon? Long time no see. I still had a subscription set up for your thread years ago, and it still popped up and surpised me.

If it makes you feel any better when we were first talking I had £16k+ of debt, I cleared it and then we've run it all up again and then a bit! I'm trying to get my head around getting it going down again.

thevinternet

Dinah93 wrote: »

If it makes you feel any better when we were first talking I had £16k+ of debt, I cleared it and then we've run it all up again and then a bit! I'm trying to get my head around getting it going down again.

Yes, that does make me feel better actually, although I'm sorry that your debts went up again. Are they coming down again now? Bless you for popping back to say hi. Hi back! :wave: lol.

Things have been good, I'm sorry I was away for such a long time, I had to focus on finishing my studies and unfortunately that took over, I am rubbish at focusing on more than one thing at once!

However, studying is now done, I am looking for a full-time job, and in the meantime I'm working part-time shifts when I can pick them up. So, trying to start bracing for the economy going rubbish, and trying to start bringing my debt down again.

How's things with you? xx

Dinah93

Things with me are really good - when I first started clearing the debt it was so my boyfriend would be able to move from Ireland to England to be with me... well that got the debt cleared in 10 months and he proposed 5 months after moving over - and we got married last September The debt is a result of doing up the shack we bought, the wedding, a far too nice honeymoon and spending too much over the summer on two holidays where we underestimated the spending cost. At the moment not going down, still going up in fact as we had to spend nearly £700 at the weekend flying back to Ireland for DHs grannys funeral which we only had 24 hours notice to book flights for. Hoping once this months pay day rolls round we'll be on the downward slope again.

Going to be following closely, see if you have some tricks I've not heard of or forgotten.

xxx

thevinternet

Congratulations on getting married! It sounds like you are very happy. Sorry to hear about the funeral, some people seem to have 'rainy day' funds for that sort of thing but I've never managed to be that organised, emergencies have always gone on CCs instead!

Glad I have some work coming in, yesterday's unemployment figures made for sobering reading. Still, I must try to keep looking for fulltime work, especially seeing as xmas stuff has now started appearing in the shops! :eek:

I won't be adding this to my sig yet, but thought I'd better fess up today on student loans...18k...eek!

Dinah93

I don't count my student loan either, that's a total of about £7,000 at this point - 4 years of paying it off and it's only gone down by about £2000! Still if I took one out next year I think I'd still be paying it off when I'm 55.

What kind of job are you looking for?

I don't have a rainy day fund as it seems daft to pay interest on debt and have a puddle of savings sat there earning diddly squat.

thevinternet

Yeah, I agree about the rainy day fund, it's just a shame in a way because then I have ended up borrowing off friends or sticking more debt on credit cards over the years instead...not good.

I've had a good couple of days, worked last night so hoping to go to the cinema tonight as a treat. In the meantime I'm slumping around in my pjs! Got loads of housework to do but I'm gonna put it off til tomorrow. The OH is away for a week, so this should be a good time to focus on saving cash. Despite last night's work, the tips weren't great so it might be a tight month again.

Still no big comping wins, but I did manage a box of cereal on an instant win game the other day

xxx

thevinternet

Not a NSD sadly, but not bad...had to spend £14 at the supermarket on a few bits and pieces, but as my OH is away at the moment it is easier to spend less. Made my Payment-a-day and also entered lots of comps today...fingers crossed

Got a letter today from Lloyds TSB (it's my CC with the biggest amount on it, see my sig for details) telling me they are doing a spending review and reducing my credit limit by £350. Good, saves me ringing them to do it myself! I have already been reducing the limits on my other cards as the amounts come down.

Once I get out of debt on these bloody cards I plan to never use one again. The best way for me to avoid temptation is not to have my weaknesses there as an option...I am definitely not one of those people who are good at doing things 'in moderation'. It's why I don't allow biscuits in the house!

On that subject, I have been inspired by Mr Bloater's diary and went for a run today...my first one in months. Took it nice and gentle but it's something I want to get back to. It was really peaceful and nature's colours are starting to turn autumnal...gorgeous.

No work until Sat now, so I need to be careful not to spend any cash in the next few days. Gonna raid my handbags and coats tomorrow to see if I can discover any missing wonga for the bank. Also planning on a slowcooker meal tomorrow to batch cook for the freezer.

Dinah93

Are you on myfitnesspal? I use it to log all my exercise, really motivates me when I see I've done nothing for a while. I like that I can follow my friends progress too.

thevinternet

Dinah93 wrote: »

Are you on myfitnesspal? I use it to log all my exercise, really motivates me when I see I've done nothing for a while. I like that I can follow my friends progress too.

I've never heard of that, I'll have to try it, thanks for the tip

Well, I feel a bit down today, I think it might just be because I'm tired. I ransacked the coats and handbags and discovered an old ski pass from 2006, a half-finished bottle of shampoo I had forgotten about and the disappointing total of £1.07. Now if I can only do that again 40,000 times, all my problems will be solved. Sarcastic Spinny Martin coming up in 3...2...1....activate!:money:

Trying to look on the positive side...I did manage my PAD today, and I batch cooked some slow-cooker chickeny thing for the freezer. TRYING to plan ahead and brace myself, but money is running out fast, and the thought of another recession ahead makes me even more depressed. Aaaaargh why did I used to be so bl**dy bad with money?!? If I could go back in time, I'd give myself a slap round the chops, Peggy Mitchell style! *smack*


Not a NSD today, but only spent £2 plus a bit of petrol, so not too bad. Trying to perservere with the comping, even though it's starting to get me down that I haven't won anything I really wanted yet. Some free cereal and a free beer glass is something I guess, but I was really hoping I would have won something like a DVD, or even some free makeup by now...:(...perhaps I ought to see if there's any companies doing free samples or something? I'm sure there must be a board on here somewhere for that?

*sighs* going to get a hot chocolate and have a bath, then bed. At least that's a relatively cheap treat. Wish there was some real chocolate in the house, I would devour it!! Someone needs to invent a takeaway service that only delivers chocolate!