"Thevinternet's still in debt" diary

thevinternet

So - a quiet couple of days - started making the xmas presents, so that's one thing out of the way. Trying to sort out my insomnia but it's tough, other than take a load of herbal remedies and try to exercise more I don't know what else I can try - I already avoid caffeine after 8pm etc.

Still standing proud and haven't put the heating on yet, we are determined to make it until November 1st at the least.

On the bad MS side of things, darling MBNA kindly wrote to me today and told me they are shoving my interest rate up...how nice of them!!

I have til Jan to refuse it, but if I do, I won't be able to spend on the card anymore, and when it's all paid off, they will shut the account. Well, that was my plan all along anyway. I have been slowly manually bringing the credit limit down as the balance drops month by month, so closing it when it's paid off suits me fine . I have a few calls to make tomorrow, so now MBNA will be one of them. It was already at 24%, sticking it up to 29% is just getting ludicrous. Bloody banks, you'd think they make enough sodding money!

One day I want to be one of them virtuous people who doesn't have credit cards, and who keeps an emergency fund of savings....I'm sure they must exist, I've read about them in books

Dinah93

I was one of those people once, I felt all light of heart and secure.... I miss those days.

thevinternet

Dinah93 wrote: »

I was one of those people once, I felt all light of heart and secure.... I miss those days.

We can get there again Dinah, I know we can!! Our total debts are similar amounts, so let's keep spurring each other on! xx :T

Dinah93

I'm trying to focus on one day at a time (a bit like an alcoholic I guess) in just getting through each day without spending, and aiming to make over £100... so far this is having mixed results!

thevinternet

Dinah93 wrote: »

I'm trying to focus on one day at a time (a bit like an alcoholic I guess) in just getting through each day without spending, and aiming to make over £100... so far this is having mixed results!

But I guess mixed results are better than no results! Is that £100 per month extra you are trying to make? That seems like a reasonable target. I really must look into the survey thing, that seems like a better bet to me than competitions or Ebay!

I have had a good day for four reasons:

1. It was a NSD.
2. We still have managed without the heating being on, :money: even though the cats are shivering a little bit, poor things! They jump on our laps the minute one of us sits down!!
3. Carried on making xmas presents.
4. Paid a monthly CC bill...yay! Hopefully it will reach them in time, I sent it via online banking and it has two days to do so.

Still haven't got round to ebaying though, and did no exercise today (bad case of PMS I'm afraid :eek:) so I really am no angel.

Dinah93

Erm, no. not to sound crazy but I'm aiming for £100 a day!

thevinternet

Dinah93 wrote: »

Erm, no. not to sound crazy but I'm aiming for £100 a day!

LOL! Blimey! How on earth are you going to make £100 a day?

Well, I can think of one way but I'm sure that's not it! I'm impressed by your ambition though! How's it going so far?

So, today I managed to pay off another £50 to Lloyds TSB. They have started calling me because I was a few quid short of the minimum payment this month, hopefully today's payment will call off the hounds for a while. I got called into work yesterday which was a pleasant surprise, so hence the extra payment.

I must admit I was naughty yesterday and bought some earmuffs and a beanie hat from the supermarket. I don't 'need' them, but they are super-cute, fairly cheap, and I did need a treat of some sort. As I was saying to my OH, I won't be able to pull off 'cute' for many more years now, and it's all I've really got in my arsenal, so I need to work that angle whilst I still can! However, I also did some fairly virtuous food shopping, and it didn't come in too pricey. Where are all the 2-for-1 deals though...couldn't find many discounts yesterday!! On the plus side I did print out some vouchers and took them with me, saving me £4.50.

Still managing without the heating. OH is getting less keen on this challenge as it gets colder, but I suspect we can last until Nov at this rate. Normally the heating would have been on weeks ago, it's amazing what being broke can do to your constitution!!

Still no exercise, but I am continuing to make xmas presents...hope my family and friends aren't expecting much this year!

thevinternet

Time for a quickie update I feel.

On the plus side:

1. Had a good weekend, NSD yesterday.

2. Worked a shift, got paid, plus some good tips :j

3. Finished making some xmas presents. That calls for a swirly Martin. :money:

4. I have three (!) shifts at work next week (inc. the weekend). Three is a lot for my boss to offer me, as she normally prefers to give her kids the work (fair enough). So I should make around £200 - 250. That's enough to cover me for a bit of food, some petrol, and another CC payment (I have £130 left to find for my Lloyds TSB CC payment by the 10th of Nov).

On the down side:

1. Still no job news (I have been looking and have applied for a few). I had a dream last night that I had been offered my perfect role - I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I woke up!

2. My graduation is next month, so I need to find money for robes, photos etc - it doesn't come cheap! I have already paid cash for the guest tickets, so at least that's covered.

3. My sleep patterns are still all over the place :mad: and still no exercise. I have an inkling these two things may be linked!


4. I feel a bit miserable. Not sure why, might be because I'm not eating properly. Again, I realise these two facts might be linked!

5. We caved regarding the heating!

6. Nearly the end of the month, which means loan payments coming out of my bank account. At the moment, it looks as though these should be covered ok, without going over my OD limit.

I can't believe it's nearly November already, genuinely I don't know where the time goes. No trick or treaters here yet, they'd better hurry up, or all the sweets will be gone!

thevinternet

Not much to add today. The debts are very slowly coming down, it won't be long until I stop paying one of my loans (Feb), so each time that it's the end of the month, I get a little bit more excited!

As Dinah was saying above, it's one day at a time. Yesterday was a NSD, and although I didn't get round to making any more xmas presents, I did do a fair bit of research about other stuff I could make. Also made a small PAD to my CC bill today, got £126 left to find by the the 10th of next month.

I still feel a bit crook but I have work later today, so I need to buck myself up a bit. I will try not to cough over everyone's food, as that would be gross, and would lead to no tips

At least I got an early night last night, and consequently I'm up at a normal-ish hour for me! Thanks to the sleep gods for that one :T

thevinternet

NSD yesterday, and my boss was in a good mood. :j Plus I made a PAD this morning.

This is shaping up to be a good month so far...could this be the month when things get easier finally? It's been a bad year financially (what with me falling off the debt-busting wagon and all), but I have the distinct feeling that my giant debt oil tanker is slowly turning around in the water.