Aligning the Stars

Starmummy · 29 June 2018 at 12:02PM

Current struggle:
having 2/3 trips/holidays planned and not buying any new holiday clothes. This may be a first.
I'm struggling to stay away from the daily barrage of summer sale emails landing in my inbox

Working_Mum · 29 June 2018 at 12:20PM

You are doing really well!!

When I started on my journey I deleted all apps like Amazon etc off my phone and either didn't give permission to companies to contact me by email etc when I set new accounts up OR I changed my preferences and "unsubscribed" to their emails offering me stuff!!

It was a little bit of a pain at the start but now my Inbox (and conscience, wardrobes and credit cards) are clear from buying stuff I didn't need just because it was in a sale or was what I had always done!

Starmummy · 29 June 2018 at 3:58PM

Thanks working Mum. I shall try and make a conscious effort to unsubscribe instead of just deleting them from now on.

DrSpendLittle · 29 June 2018 at 7:32PM

Hi Star Mummy,

Just caught up on your diary. You are doing so well!! Pretty soon, you'll be in the £9Ks and you'll feel even better! That's the motivation...

I've experienced the clothes buying flood gates opening (lolz!) and have experienced the summer clothes shopping temptation too! But, I now operate a capsule wardrobe and have a very specific list of pieces I'd like to add to it. It really works for controlling my spending urges. I also decided two months ago that I am no longer willing to waste money on !!!! clothes that only last 6 washes. Now, only (a much smaller amount of) well made, quality pieces make it into my wardrobe, much like your pencil skirt.

Do unsubscribe from all email alerts. They're as bad as taking an alcoholic into a bar...

Your wish to repay your debt independently resonates so highly with me. I am equally stubborn and obstinate about paying my debt off myself. I also have a relatively well off DF who has never been in debt. Over the 15 years I've been with DF, I've realised that men like to 'fix' things and are way more practical and pragmatic about it. It's the whole Venus and Mars thing. They struggle to see the emotional reasons for us wanting to 'fix' things our way. I think if you explain to Star Daddy that you love him and respect him but that you paying off your own debt independently is something that you need to do to help you achieve closure on the past (is it...?), he will understand. You may need to point out that he has financial security in the form of a house. You don't. And so he may struggle to understand you drive and desire you have to snowball the hell out of your debt. For this reason, I'd avoid borrowing off him or having any financial commitments until you've decided what you're doing for the future i.e. whether you go on the mortgage and get a declaration of trust that legally protects his investment in the property before getting married, or get married first. Lots to decide on - been there, done it, bought the t-shirt!

Anyway, hang in there! Look forward to your updated siggy!

DSL

Starmummy · 2 July 2018 at 12:21PM

What a wonderful weekend that was!

The sun shone, my friend made the most beautiful bride and great fun was had by all.
I did succumb to some unplanned spends. Visiting the beauty counter to get some make-up that would survive the heat. A cheque was written as a wedding gift (expected but not properly budgeted for) and the taxi and a skin full of Gin was paid for (medicinal of course in order to numb the pain of hours of dancing in 5 inch heels :rotfl: ) . I don't regret a penny spent. I feel I really enjoyed this weekend and I've not put myself in financial strife.

I'm going to relax a little on the money front. Me being debt free won't change my life and it's almost all interest free debt. I'll keep paying off about £600 a month but this weekend has taught me how much better life is when I take care of myself and when I get out and socialise with my wonderful friends. So I'm going to do more of that.

I'm also going to sell my car, It's a convertible and fairly impractical for us as a family, mainly because we can't get bikes and other sports equipment in it. Mr Star was always going to replace his car that broke down anyway but we have discovered we can live suitably well with one car. So the girly car is going and shall be replaced with another sensible estate. This also means that Mr Star will be responsible for repairs and tax and MOT so I can put that £80 a month towards debts/savings.

Being more open and inclusive with Mr Star over money and things has made such a positive impact on our relationship so I also need to make sure I keep that up. Discussed this weekend was replacing my car and also keeping a better eye on grocery spends. £360 last month :eek: we could eat perfectly well on half of that and spend the savings on more holidays/days out - I'm dreaming of you Paris.

Also this weekends wedding has got us thinking, we always said the wedding wasn't important but the marriage was and that I wouldn't mind a high street frock and a registry office job....I think we both know that really we want a lovely big celebration. The venue was just perfect and it was so much fun that actually we might need to start thinking about saving a few thousand for our own. There isn't a ring on my finger just yet but my friends did their fair share of probing on my behalf...poor Mr Star

So it's officially birthday month and I'm so excited. I've booked myself into the salon to get my hair done for the first time this year (child free- what a treat), I've got a surprise birthday weekend to look forward to, a weekend away and a birthday meal out too. July really is my favourite month of the year, I hope this lovely weather remains.

Well done to any readers that have actually got this far in today's diary :T I've gone a bit war and peace :rotfl:

I hope you all had lovely weekends too.

Take care
SM

Starmummy · 3 July 2018 at 1:04PM

So Mr Star got on board with reducing the food shop and he did the weekly shop in Aldi totalling £38. I also spent £10 in the Asda near to my office on muesli, wraps, salad stuff, fruit and yogurt for my lunches and breakfasts at work this week. We will probably need to buy eggs, milk and bread but I'm hoping week 1 of July we will acheive a £60 spend and then £50 next week.

This week was a little higher due to needing to top up on tinned stuff and frozen veg, but a lot better than the £84 a week average spent last month.
I've got into the habit of picking up a few bits most days on the way home from work meaning buying in M&S or Waitrose because they are the closest to our house and I walk everywhere. Mr Star doing a Monday trip to Aldi straight from work should get costs right down. Will have to have words with him about how meat heavy his shopping was though. I only eat meat about once a week as it just makes me feel yuk. Everyday is a learning curve though and he did buy proper meals for us all rather than beer and snacks so i'm very grateful.

The DD for CC2 should go out tomorrow and the DD for the big loan next weekso that will bring the debt down by almost £500.
I've noticed that the 0% rate on CC2 ends on 10th September so I will need to see about doing a transfer for that as I won't be able to pay it off in time for the rate change. It currently sits at £1405.81, tomorrows DD will knock another £125 off that. I have joined the Creditclub and it says at the moment I have a 90% chance of getting accepted for a top transfer card, the debts will have reduced by about £1200 by the time I apply for one so I'm feeling hopeful. I have no hope of transfering onto a current card, CC1 is a zero balance but I've had it for the longest so i'm keeping it as a ratings builder, I've reduced the limit to £500 and i've had no 'offers' since i paid it off.
CC3 is the card I got to transfer most of CC1 and CC2 and my overdraft and still sits near the credit limit as i'm only paying off just above the minimum in order to pay off CC2. Congratulations if you managed to follow all that :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Anyway long and short of it I will need to apply for a new card to transfer about £1000 to avoid paying interest.

Lucifa73 · 3 July 2018 at 1:41PM

Hi Starmummy. Your weekend sounds fantastic.

I totally agree about enjoying life to get some balance. I find when I am really strict for any length of time I end up resenting it (and looking like a bag lady as personal care is the first category that gets binned). I earn enough to manage debt and live a little. (I must say I have nothing but the greatest admiration for those on these boards who do not have that luxury and yet keep up the positivity. )

Starmummy · 3 July 2018 at 2:48PM

Snap Lucifa. Even with my debt repayments we are much better off financially than most of the country. I feel very grateful for that, and for having Mr Star in my life. Before my job change and moving in with him it was a far different story, hence the debt, and I just felt totally hopeless about it all.

Starmummy · 3 July 2018 at 3:40PM

anyone had this happen?
I'd forgotten to use it in a couple of months and I know I had almost enough points for a £20 voucher. annoyed!

redofromstart · 3 July 2018 at 4:42PM

Starmummy wrote: »

anyone had this happen?
I'd forgotten to use it in a couple of months and I know I had almost enough points for a £20 voucher. annoyed!

No, try contacting them. Mine was dormant for over a year and was fine.

Aligning the Stars

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