£15,000 to 0

Hiddenidenity wrote: »

If you're anything like me, call and pay it off now

I'd be too tempted to break into it thinking I will just 'borrow'

Well done on having it there to pay it off

Hi Hidden, thanks for popping in!

You're definitely right. The temptation to spend is just too much! I've worked out the interest which only comes to £4.16 over the month and I don't think it's worth it so I'm going to ask them to reduce my overdraft ASAP.

Seeing as you're here, I just want to say I am always so so impressed whenever I read your diary!

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Or... Set an automated transfer for the 1k from the Flexdirect for the 29th...and then instruct yourself to remember that 1k of your current balance is "not real money" and so can't be touched... That way you get the benefit of the interest (which will cover the cost of that unplanned meal deal lunch, of course...), but can't forget the payment. Hidden is right though - if there is any risk you'll spend it, get it gone!

Glad your bank holiday weekend was good - we had a couple of days away too!

Hope you had a lovely time!

I think Hidden is correct with her infinite wisdom...once the £1k is out of the way I have a tight month this month due to my own budgetary failures :rotfl: It's better for the money to be gone now rather than me dipping into it halfway through the month!

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Subscribed. You seem to be pretty well organised and well done for working out costs for when you move out of your parents. Too many people don't do this. You may need deposit etc and extra money to furnish the place so having some savings are priority as well as reducing the overdraft. I am not a fan of overdrafts full stop even if 0% as it can be recalled with very little notice so I would focus on getting rid of remaining overdraft and building up savings while paying the £250 per month to your mum and dad.

Just out of interest was the post grad study course needed for your job and will your salary increase as a result? My daughter did a PhD, very luckily funded with a bursary and her salary after graduating has increased tremendously but not all post grad courses lead to an increase. £1440 per month is not a tremendous amount so will this lead to promotion in your career?

Thanks for popping in!

I am a trainee solicitor at the moment and my postgrad was for the legal practice course, which is a requirement to becoming a solicitor, so unfortunately it was a necessary evil. I still maintain that the course is absolutely useless in practice, but it is sadly a requirement.

My salary is very low for a trainee, especially where I'm based. Again a necessary evil since I have poor a-levels thanks to a couple of years of bad decision making in my past, making it extremely difficult for me to get a training contract. Essentially I get paid poorly to work all hours of the day but at least it's doing something I enjoy and I feel is fulfilling. In comparison, one of my fellow trainee friends that I studied with is getting paid more than £100k PA compared to my paltry £20,900, BUT she hates her job :rotfl:

Once I qualify (about a year and a half to go) I would expect at least £30k at a bare minimum so there is a pay rise in sight...it's just kind of far away!

Had an excellent time last night and didn't actually end up spending that much, it was definitely worth it to meet new people and finally socialise with people that aren't lawyers...

Bit worse for wear today so mostly been lazing about but managed to find an appropriate sized pot to re-pot my orchid. It's really outgrown its pot, I know orchids prefer "tight shoes" to big roomy ones but it was really looking sad.

To do today and tomorrow:

Strip and make bed.
Hoover around the house.
Make lunch for Monday and plan what other meals I'll be having in the week.
Empty bins and take out the rubbish.
Organise my toiletries - I have so many and want to get use out of them instead of continually accidentally buying more because I think I've run out when I actually have loads!
Consider sending a box of books to We Buy Books. I used to have a great big shelf full but I've sold the majority of them now.
Try to re-shuffle money for my finances to look a bit less bare this week.
Reach the £5 payout on Prolific Academic

The £250 to my parents went out today but I still am on the fence about paying the overdraft. I'll decide on Monday when the bank is open again. On the one hand, I'd love the satisfaction of paying off a big chunk now. On the other hand, I'm loath to leave money on the table and even though it is only £4, that's £4 I wouldn't have otherwise...

Luxurious I know but my boyfriend and I have never spent one of our birthdays in the UK, we always go on a short break at least. His birthday is in September and he's asked if we can go to Barcelona. Something about football...I'd also love to go to Barcelona, more for the history but if I can manage to afford it then I'd like to go. We do budget hols so it would cost us about £150-£200 each. Something to think about!