I'm always moaning on my diary, it's a good place to vent.

I always feel better when I make the effort to do something, however, I've often had enough by the evening.

I didn't go for a walk yesterday evening, I cleaned out the spare room instead - one of those things I keep putting off but now I've done it I'm so pleased with it - I keep going in there for a look . Will be tackling the bathroom next - a proper deep clean.





I have been out for a walk this lunchtime though, took a walk through the beautiful park that is close to where I work. It's getting quite warm out there again now. Only three days left at work until I'm off for a fortnight. Can't wait to go for some nice walks along the beach. Holiday was paid for a long time ago before my situation changed, so whilst we're there this time it will be more picnics and walks - rather than spending money like I used to and I'm really looking forward to it. Take care all

Well done on clearing out the spare room

I have been out for a walk again - now back at my desk with the fan on enjoying a lovely salad. Oh, and decision made - I am self-managing my debts . Walking about this lunch time just seemed to clear my head. I want to go through the process with creditors as a reminder to myself never to get into this mess again. This evening I will be preparing letters or emails to send to them all again. I am paying them all a small amount at the moment with a view to increasing in a couple of months. I think that was getting me down as well, the letters I receive from them. Hey ho, life is too short to worry about things like this.


Really enjoying my new found love of walking at lunch times through. I'd better get back to it now. Have a good day y'all.

Well done on self managing. You get quite a lot of letters to start with, but it soon eases off. I rarely get any post now, just when it's time to review or annual statements. I've been paying £1 a month for nearly two years now, so don't worry about paying a small amount initially.

Thanks jwil - I am certainly ready for it now. I have written my letters and although not a vast improvement, each one will be getting more and that's the best I can do for now and so that's that. However, there will be some very small debts I can get rid of along the way as well (with some careful budgeting) which is why for me, I think the self manage route is better.


Not going out for a walk this lunchtime it's too hot... but I will venture out this evening if I can but then again it's Friday and that is usually a quick tea, followed by a slow G&T, usually followed by another and then finding something to watch on tele. It's just my little treat to myself - after all, I deserve it.


I have been for an interview recently to get a higher paid job, within the place I currently work at and will find out the result of that on Monday. Really hope it all works out for me it will make such a difference in lots of ways.


I'm going to tackle the bathroom this weekend - going to do it early tomorrow morning before it gets too hot and then I will go shopping - that should be most of the chores done, well apart from the usual washing, washing-up etc etc.


Wishing you all a lovely weekend, stay cool

Hope you get a positive result on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend

Thank you Beanielou - will find out later this afternoon. Today is dragging... last day before some well earned leave - a few days at home followed by a week away - going to the south coast and I can't wait.


I was going to blitz the bathroom on Saturday morning, but as I didn't get any sleep Friday night, thanks to the rowdy bunch of whatnots who love to disturb people at 1/2 in the morning with their shouting and screaming, and then the police turning up by the van load, I slept in late. To add a little clarity, I live on a main road and so all this was going on right outside my bedroom window and I must say, was rather frightening at times - hearing people squaring up to each other and then the girls screaming and crying, fences being kicked and car alarms going off. It was awful and seemed to go on for ages. So yes, never got to do the bathroom Saturday morning but did go shopping and saved £22 on my weekly shop just by not buying things for the freezer - it's packed up. I would normally limit my weekly shopping to £50pw - but not buying the 'I might need that one day and it is on offer' stuff for the freezer saved me some money . I will however be looking to get another freezer soon, but a smaller one.


I have also now sent off my increased offer letters/emails and will wait patiently to hear back from my creds.


In other money news, I have opened another basic bank account - so now have the one which my salary goes into and pay the bills from. I now have another one where the shopping/petrol money goes - as these are the only two things I don't have on direct debit. I am going to challenge myself to always have something in there come payday, when the next lot will be transferred over. I have added another account onto it to build up the EF. I am so committed to this now.


All I need now, is some good news later on this afternoon re the job - fingers crossed.


Wishing you all a lovely rest of the day.

Just read your diary and wishing you good luck on your debt free journey. Also keeping my fingers crossed that you get good news about the job. X

Hello Crystal thank you for dropping by. I got the job - so pleased with myself (for a change). Just had to have a glass of wine to celebrate and I've got some time off from work. Right now, life is good xx

Good news on the job
Well done.

Beanielou - thank you!
I have blitzed the bathroom today and received responses from two creditors who will accept my higher offer. I've heard from another but I have to fill out an i&e for them. I'll get that back to them tomorrow. Shopping for holiday tomorrow, we usually take stuff with us, saves buying it there and is much cheaper.
The weather is changing here, it's coming over a bit black but so muggy - think we might be in for rain.

Congratulations on the job

Have a lovely holiday

Thanks jwil - can't believe it but am looking forward to the challenge of the new job it will certainly focus the mind. Went shopping today for the holiday just to get some essential bits and bobs. I know we'll be on holiday but I'm determined not to spend money every day. It looks like it's going to be a bit cooler next week so that's good for me, I can't do anything in the really hot weather.
Will finish my full house clean ttomorrow just the kitchen and lounge room do. If it doesn't rain DD and I are going for a walk before we start packing.

Good luck with the clean. I'm glad it's a bit cooler too.

Here I am on holiday, mixed bag weather wise but it's nice to be away from home and normality for a while. However, I have let myself down today. I had a panic and thought I was going to run out of money so applied to a payday loan. Luckily I was declined and I was so pleased because it brought me to my senses. I can't believe I did it. At times I do panic about money always thinking I'm going to run out, I think that is a reason why I got into debt. Sounds crazy but there it is. It's good to be by the sea though and am looking forward to the next few days - whatever the weather !!!9786;

Have a good holiday, I agree it's a good thing you were declined.

That doesn't sound crazy at all. In fact, I'm sure you are far from the only one who has found themselves in that position on occasion. But the good thing is you've realised getting a pay day loan is not the answer. You will find another way to manage. Have a really lovely holiday. xx

Today has been better - weather been good and so we've been walking a lot today and all in all spent about £10. I had no reason to panic yesterday about money because I have budgeted for things, it's just not having the safety net of the credit card. Tomorrow is going to be another nice day so we're going on the beach with a picnic. It's certainly a learning curve and I am learning from it. I have always been the one who provides and I always will but in a more realistic way in future - with what I have got and not with credit. Honestly when I applied for that payday loan I felt so disgusted with myself, and I will remember that feeling. Anyway I am now going to have a cup of tea and then get some shut eye. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Back from holiday, washing done and all dry luckily enough. Went food shopping yesterday when we got back and spent £65 which is good for me. Got meals for the week and some household bits which should mean a reduced shopping bill next week as I'll just need the food.
Got home to letters from creditors - no, not welcoming me back from holiday, but telling me I am in arrears and need to pay x amount by x date or further action will be taken. I just wish they would actually respond to my increased offer letter instead of all this computer generated stuff - so another letter to them on Monday lunchtime.
Back to work Monday - boo to that. But it keeps the roof over our head and food on the table and now I've got this new job things should start getting better (had a funny feeling of famous last words then). Hopefully it will distract me from thinking about my finances all the time.
Tomorrow is looking like a movie day - should have the house to myself tomorrow afternoon and i do love to have a cuppa whilst watching a film - I've taped loads trouble is it then takes me a while to decide what to watch.