Getting & staying debt free, whatever happens!

System · 6 May 2018 at 9:32PM

Congratulations on your pregnancy! And happy shiny new diary

System · 6 May 2018 at 9:34PM

Forgot to say... travel sickness bands were great for me when I had morning sickness. It definitely took the edge off and I could function better!

beanielou · 6 May 2018 at 10:14PM

So you need to concentrate on the Halifax card first as it has the highest APR.
Just keep chipping away at it & will soon come down.
Look at the DFW's challanges for inspiration.

Bluegreen143 · 6 May 2018 at 10:37PM

Thanks for dropping by. Loopybecs, that's a brilliant idea. I wonder why I never thought of that last time. It would be good as I'm struggling to do my usual OS cooking from scratch when I feel so crap!

Beanielou maybe I made a typo somewhere above, the Halifax card is 12.95% but the Tesco one is 18.94%. I've planned to tackle Tesco first given the higher APR + it's good it's the smaller balance as it will be paid off faster. However I'm hoping we can balance transfer at least some or all of the debt so might be able to get those rates down.

Bluegreen143 · 6 May 2018 at 11:25PM

- cancel Spotify
[STRIKE]- sit down with DH to apply for 0% balance transfer card in his name to move balances too (worried I won't get accepted now as a SAHM though they're both currently in my name, he's more than happy to move them to his name as it's both our debt. Our finances are totally shared)[/STRIKE] DONE tonight and accepted for 25 month interest free Barclaycard with transfer fee to be credited back. Transferred the Halifax balance initially as wasn't sure how much I could get. But his credit limit is enough for both cards so I will transfer the Tesco one too. I plan on closing the Tesco card, I'm keeping Halifax open as it's my oldest credit card/will be my only one when I close Tesco, but plan to just keep it in my drawer and use for one transaction a month or so to keep it open
- shop around for a new internet package as our initial introductory offer has ended
- return unwanted flipflops from earlier to get £5 back
[STRIKE]- pay Tesco card - done before I saved this post[/STRIKE]

Bluegreen143 · 7 May 2018 at 9:59PM

What a gorgeous bank holiday day out at the beach

did get a bit chilly at points but it was thoroughly enjoyed by all, not least 2yo DS who loved paddling in the water (he's only seen the sea once before, about a year ago), building sandcastles and playing with his "aunt and uncle" (husband's best friend and wife who joined us).

We did spend slightly more than anticipated as when it got cold later we decamped to a pub so the men could get a pint (us ladies were saddled with driving home, which was a big deal for me as I'm an anxious driver and usually stick close to home - so glad I did it though, the drive was no bother so a confidence booster for me). Somehow we ended up getting both rounds in which was poor planning on husband's part :rotfl: he gets his share of drinks from his friends at other points so it all works out. We had the money in our entertainment budget anyway, it just means we can't do much else this month should be fine as no real plans (we do have a birthday dinner for DH's aunt but he is pretty sure she said it's all paid for).

Spends 07/05

£4.44 - Lidl - marshmallows for beach trip, cat food for last day catsitting as had run out, pack of antacids (joys of pregnancy!) and a 2ltr bottle of water for beach trip as I couldn't find either DS's or my reusable water bottles this morning :mad: must search the garden as I suspect they are out there.

£10.05 - petrol

£20ish - the two rounds at pub - will update YNAB with exact amount when it shows in online banking as DH can't remember

£3.50 - ice cream for DS and I

YNAB category spending tracker

When I checked my cash today I must have miscounted yesterday as we were a fiver down and I definitely haven't forgotten a £5 spend (or I somehow lost a fiver). I searched about and found £1.50 unaccounted for in the house so it's only £3.50 discrepancy. I just added to the cost for today and took off the entertainment budget, will teach me to be careless.

Spending - needs
Petrol & parking .................... £10.05/£50
Groceries (food) .................... £4.40/£120
Groceries (household)........... £20
Groceries (pets) .....................19p/ £20
Medical/dental ....................... £2.99/£5
Clothes .................................. £40/£40

Spending - wants
Husband ............................... £75
Me ........................................ £0
DS/SAHM budget ................. £1.50/£34
Entertainment & socialising .. £41.24/£50
Home & garden .................... £0
Charity .................................. £0

beanielou · 7 May 2018 at 10:01PM

Glad that you had a lovely day

Bluegreen143 · 7 May 2018 at 10:07PM

Thanks beanielou and hope you had the chance to enjoy the bank holiday yourself

x

beanielou · 7 May 2018 at 10:12PM

I had a lovely day in the sun thanks

Bluegreen143 · 7 May 2018 at 10:45PM

Just sat and made meal plan & shopping list for this week - its only 6 days as I would normally shop on a Monday. Will get it at Lidl tomorrow.

Tues - veg & chickpea curry

Wed - spicy veggie pasta

Thurs - fish pie (baked fish & chips for DH who doesn!!!8217;t like fish pie. I don!!!8217;t make it a lot but we will have SIL staying and she loves it)

Fri - pork burgers, chips, coleslaw

Sat - Moroccan chicken one-pot

Sun - roast chicken

Will update on spends yesterday. Hoping to spend under £40 on food.

Getting & staying debt free, whatever happens!

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