November Pay Day

Afternoon Peeps!

Sorry for the radio silence, I have had so much going on and have been out after work with one thing and another.

Well it is Pay Day today. We all know I love a Pay Day, and today is extra special. I got commission, plus I got some expenses. That coupled with a little Ebay selling of an old Stained Glass window The Chap and I liberated from the workshop we tore down at his a few months ago meant I was able to clear my credit cards.

I did have to dive into my savings too, but I felt it was necessary, as they have really been hanging over me the last few months. Quite frankly I have been stressing about them so much, it is just such a relief to get it cleared.

Ok, I still have a £400 overdraft to tackle and it does mean Christmas is getting pared down for family and friends but I felt it was worth it and everyone understands. So thanks "Keeping It Simply Thrifty" Family!! Love you!!

Starting Debt: £1990.80
Credit Card 1: £0.00
Credit Card 2: £0.00
Loan: £0.00
New Debt Balance: £400.00
% Paid Off: 79.9%

Credit card debt?? What credit card debt?

Whoo Hoo!

The Chap and I are going out tonight to dinner to celebrate as Frankie and Bennys have a £10 off voucher for the whole of November. If I have a pizza and just a glass of tap water, then I can eat free! Yum!  

Frugally yours
Abigail
xx

P.S. On the negative side, the shower broke again this morning..... sigh...

October Pay Day

Pay Day Today! *singing happy days are here again!*

Had a go at The Debt.

Credit Card 1   was £164.05      paid £24.50    now £139.55
Credit Card 2   was £174.00      paid £26.50    now £147.50
Overdraft:       was £400          paid £0.00      now £400.00

Starting Debt: £1990.80
New Total: £687.05 in the red.
% Debt Paid off: 65%

I am not paying off huge amounts at the moments, but I am trying to keep the momentum going as I do not want another month like September, where ultimately the debt has increased.

Still not great, but I have put £200 into savings, which means I hopefully now have enough to complete the task preparing the flat ready for rental.

I still need to

• Get the carpets cleaned.
• Obtain the electricity safety certificate
• Obtain the gas safety certificate
• Arrange a Man with a Van to move furniture

BANG! There goes the majority of the savings

I also now only have 3 more weekends to complete the clear out, that is, if someone wants to rent W Towers. Watch this space M'dears!

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

The Debt, An Update.

Tomorrow is Pay Day. So, I thought today I would give you a bit of an update about where I am with The Debt.

Credit Card 1  Currently: £166.00
Credit Card 2  Currently: £174.00
Overdraft        Currently: £400.00

Total: £740.00

So my debt has increased after having to buy the washing machine and increasing my overdraft by £100.

But, I am still determined to pay it off and have now set myself 6 months to do so. March 2012.

I cannot set much more than minimal amounts in October, as most spare cash will be funnelled towards paying workmen to ensure the flat is ready to let.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

Hola, My Engleeeesh Chums!

Hello Honey, I'm Home!

Returned home in the early hours of Tuesday morning and back to work today with a bump.

I had such a wonderful holiday and really feel like my batteries have been recharged.

I am for me, mind numbingly tanned and just feel so much more healthier than I did for seeing the sun (skin cancer aside) and doing nothing strenuous for 10 days.

The Chap and I got on so well, which augurs only good for moving in together and we spent our days by the pool, me reading and him listening to his ipod with drinks in hand. We stayed out there until about 7-8pm before heading in for a shower and either a BBQ out the back or dinner in a local restaurant. (photos to follow)

Aside from dinners out and the food bought, I spent little and even managed to come home with over £100.

Good news from The Office, in that everything is looking stable and I can rest assured that my commission is my own so I threw £240.07 at the credit card nearly paying off my new washing machine. In fact I also threw another £30 at my other credit card. HOWEVER I managed to pay it off my old credit card by mistake that has been cancelled. So so so stupid and I am currently desperately trying to get in contact with my bank to get it back.

A careless mistake, and one that has really upset me this afternoon.

I did a food shop upon my return and will shortly update the relevant page, as it was quite a large shop for me and did entail a £7 mascara which was an impulse purchase.

I also paid for a beautiful bouquet of flowers for TC's parents to say thank you for letting me stay in their lovely holiday villa.

Yesterday, was not spent lulling in bed, I got up well before 9 and put on a load of washing. I then went and changed my Euros back using the MSE site to ensure I got the most for my dosh. I then went and put most of it straight into the bank before taking a note or two out to pay for the flowers.

Then off to see the Estate Agents as I had booked an appointment to discuss letting my flat. An hour and a half later I am well aware of all the responsibilities involved as a landlord and opted to pay a one off fee for finding and vetting a tenant. I will then manage it myself on an ongoing basis. I now have to be out by the 1st of November which seems precious little time to pack up 10 yrs worth of junk. So exciting though for this gf.

And finally, the reason for my nervousness all day at work. It was my little POLO's first MOT. The little beauty passed with only a new reg plate bulb (cost £1, with free fitting) required. So the tyres acquired last month have done me well. My local VW Dealership, picked it up, did the MOT and the bulb thingy for £30.20 inc VAT and then dropped it back washed, hoovered and with an air freshener. Excellent value, I thought.

In actual fact it needs a service too, but that can wait a month or two when it is coming in at £139. I am legal, that is sufficient for the time being.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

September's Debt Repayment & Working In Sales

Today is Pay Day, and I should be doing the conga around the room.

I am not.

Today I earned commission for the first time in a while £600 net to be exact, plus I got an added bonus of £100 for my expenses.

I should be whooping, laughing and paying off the additional debt I accumulated over the last couple of weeks and blogged about yesterday.

I am not.

When you work in sales, your financial life becomes feast or famine. You work from month to month never able to plan based on a salary as you never know what you will take home.

This month I have a nice amount to play with however, some of the work I have done is looking decidedly wobbly and I am concerned that my employer may claw some money back if things go badly.

So today I made a very small repayment of £50 across credit card 1 and credit card 2. My total debt has now been reduced to £837.70.

I am hopeful that by the time I return from holiday I will know more and can throw much more at the credit cards if everything looks stable.

I would be crackers to blow the lot on paying off my credit cards to then find myself in a position where I had to hand it back and end up owing my boss £600.  *shudder shudder* 

Life's tough in sales, and it I could my past self one piece of advice it would be to find a trade and avoid sales.

Yes, you make a lot of money quickly. The highs are fantastic. I remember one month taking home "£price of a new car" but the downs are so bad.

Stress, as the pressure is piled on by an employer, no money and living hand to mouth as basic salary is low to encourage 'hunger' for commission / bonus and a feeling of being trapped as you find you are used to large bonus payments and need them to pay mortgage, cars etc - items it is not easy to downsize quickly.

Yes, I would change a lot if I could and trying to swap careers in the middle of a recession is tricky to say the least.

However, Saturday I fly off with The Chap to Spain for 10 days. At least I know I paid a little off and have met my financial obligations without defaulting on anything EVER. And, when I get back it might be to good news that everything is stable and the commission can be flung at the credit cards with gay abandon!!!

Frugally yours

Abigail

x

An Update....Ok Ok A Confession.

Sorry for the radio silence, time just got away with me I suppose.

Thursday I did not feel I had anything relevent to say. Friday, I had no food waste, and I rarely blog over a weekend. Tuesday I was working until late and suddenly here we are and it is Wednesday. Must try harder!

Hope you are keeping well, As per usual this weekend was filled with running around. I took Friday afternoon off work to have my new washing machine delivered.

Isn't it beautiful. It is a Daewoo (I thought they did cars, but hey what do I know?) I now realise how broken the old machine was as I hear my new one whisper it's way to clean clothes. Loving the display too which states how many minutes until the cycle is complete.

Saturday I hitched a lift with my parents to my nephew's 4th birthday party down near London for the day. An early pick up at 8am and M seemed delighted with the Spiderman alarm clock, Spiderman 'colour me' poster set and spiderman back pack. We then had his party at 3pm which was.....superhero themed. Really wish I could show you the pics, but it does not seem right to put up photos of of kids without parental permission. (Oh, to live in past innocent times). Needless to say everyone came dressed as either batman or spiderman. Noticing a theme here?

However, I wish I could look you in the eye and say it was a Low Spend long weekend.

I have been thinking long and hard about whether to admit to the following. But, I think on blogs, honesty is all too important and I find so many frugal blogs are about reducing what you pay for things or never spending again. They all live happy thrifty lives making do and mending never being 'bad' in anyway financially.

Well, that is not the case for me. Sometimes, I just muck up. It has been a long time since I did, but I do think I should admit it.

NEWSFLASH****I AM NOT PERFECT***

A brief recap.

At the end of July my debt stood at £500.71 (£200.71 on a credit card and £300 overdraft). Well today my total debt stands at £887.70 (£487.70 across 2 credit cards and my overdraft is now £400.

I bought my new washing machine on a credit card - £249.99, paid for a meal for The Chap and I on the credit card £37 and then increased my overdraft so I could get my hair cut and buy some new foundation for my holiday etc etc.

Bugger...
Total debt increased by £386.99.

I am pissed off about the £137 on hair do, make up and fripperies, but cannot find it to be upset about the washing machine. Everyone, after all, does need clean clothes.

However, tomorrow is Pay Day and I should have a lump sum of a considerable amount coming in commission to have a hard go at it. So please think before criticising me and watch this space.

Frugally (and ashamedly) yours
Abigail
x

Arrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhh! Falling Off The Wagon.

A cute little story to start today.

I was on the phone last night with my sister who has returned from her  summer holiday just spent with her husband and 3 yo son.

On the flight on the way home they were playing "I Spy" with my nephew and the following exchange took place.

Nephew "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with G!"

After a few minutes of incorrect guesses...

Nephew "Would you like a clue mommy?"

Mummy "Yes , please"

Nephew "It wears glasses and it lives with my Grandma"

The answer.... Grandpa... who was safely at home in Staffordshire.

***

I love these stories of kids and their logic and yesterday as I was thinking about our telephone exchange, I thought how much I wanted to go back to being a kid.

The reason?

As I mentioned at the end of yesterdays post, my washing machine has broken.

It sounds as if it is trying to take off, the whole kitchen rattles when it is on and the last straw ..... all my whites are now brown in places, rust coloured tie dye is not a good look on bed linen, towels and most especially knickers.

Completely depressed about it yesterday.

The call out fee for a washing machine repair man is £25 plus parts.

I bought this Hotpoint machine second hand (2yo) for £60 10 years ago from an old lady moving into sheltered housing. In exchange for 10 years service it has washed my clothes, bedding, pillows, etc without a murmur or a call out from the repair man EVER.

I was really mulling over the repair / replace issue again yesterday. But I just do not believe it is worth looking at a repair as I am fairly certain it now has multiple issues.

So time to buy a new washing machine after the 2 new tyres, the shower repair, the new hob, the new front door etc etc.

I called a local business for a quote on a similar machine. For £170 I could get a reconditioned machine with 6M warranty or for £250 I could get a new machine with 2 yrs warranty and they would remove my old machine, and deliver / install the new machine on Friday.

Before you start shouting "You can buy a new machine for £170 you silly cow!", I know, but installation / delivery / removal of the old machine is extra and I am buying from a small local privately owned business where they remember my name surely that is worth paying a little extra? I feel comfortable dealing with them and not some corporation.

My new machine is being delivered on Friday.

Now for the kicker, I had to use the damn credit card. First time in 4 years I had used it, and last night I had to dig them out from the cupboard then look up the pin number, then ring up and check they were actually actioned as they were still attached to the paperwork they were sent on.

So a massive fail, but if I had used my savings then I would have absolutely nothing left.

As we know I have 2 credit cards. CC1 has a balance of £0 and CC2 has a balance of £200.71.

CC1 has an APR of 24.9% and CC2 has an APR of 15.9%, so I should probably choose CC2 to use then, right?

Wrong! As CC2 is currently on a 0% balance transfer deal my new purchase of £250 would go under the existing balance of £200.71 and continue to attract interest of 15.9% until I was able to pay off the £200.71.

CC1 will offer me interest free purchases for 52 days by which time I should have the majority cleared, keep your fingers crossed about commission this month kids!

I am fed up about falling of the wagon (please don't hate me, but I want this blog to be honest at all times) and using my credit card after 4 years abstinence, but I need a reliable machine especially with renting the flat out shortly.

So there it is, at least I thought about how to buy it as wisely as I could.

To return to my original point, I want to be a kid again when all your money was spent on toys and sweets. Credit meant borrowing £1 from your mum to buy an umbrella hat, and most importantly if you put a muddy top in the washing basket 2 days later it turned up laundered / ironed and on your bed for you to put away.

Magic!

Not so frugally yours
Abigail
x

August's Debt Repayment

Firstly - Hello and Welcome to my new follower - Mabel and Maisy. I am so delighted to meet you!

Well that time of the month again today, Pay Day.

Normally I get really excited about Pay Day, not today. I seems like I have 5 fishes to feed 5000. Mind you I suppose we do know how that turned out! :o)

Salary was waiting for me first thing this morning and I started as I normally do by putting £300 into savings ready for my holiday next month, the car MOT and the next bloody utility bill. Savings are still dangerously low and i do not like it.

I then transferred £68 to my mother. Partly to pay for the window cleaners and partly to repay some cash I owed from earlier in July (mum's interest rate of 0% is always appreciated).

After then paying my flat service charge, allowing for petrol and a few other adhoc expenses. It leaves me £122 for August. To cover food and any fun I want to have..... what bloody fun could I have with £122 less food??? Answers on a postcard.

:o(

DEBT REPAYMENT

Credit Card 1     Was: £0.00     Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £0.00
Credit Card 2     Was: £232.71  Paid:£32.00   New Balance: £200.71
Overdraft          Was: £300.00   Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £300.00
Car Loan           Was: £0.00     Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £0.00 

Starting Debt in January - £1990.80
Debt By the End of July - £532.71
Debt Paid This Month - £32.00
New Total Debt - £500.71
Percentage of Debt Paid August – 1.6%
Percentage Paid to Date – 74.84%

Still a long way to go, but for a time this month I did think I would have to use my credit card again after about 3 years to make ends meet. So I suppose I am paying it off little by little.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

6 Months and Counting

Hello and welcome to my new follower StrawberryShazzy. I know who you are girl!!

It has been just over 6 months since I started blogging and I am really enjoying it.

Sometimes, I wake up and I have a post there in the my head already formed. Sometimes, a topic presents itself during the course of the day and other times I can spend ages writing to you only to delete it after 1 read through.

Knowing I have an audience to trying to paying off my debt and living a frugal life focuses me.

So I wanted today to write to the person who stumbles across my blog in a blind panic terrified by their personal debt and lying awake at night.

Firstly calm down. Nothing is insurmountable and you will get through this.

1. Face Your Problem. Write a list of all you debts. Credit Cards, Loans, Overdraft, Family loans etc. Get an honest total.
2. Get Help. If you think they are insurmountable and you are getting into arrears. Speak to the free experts and not some Numpty who wants you to consolidate and therefore extend your debt for another 20 years. If you are UK based this page will help
3. APR APR APR. Which debt is costing you the most in interest? Not the biggest debt but the highest APR. That is your priority debt. Keep all other debts to a minimum monthly repayment and throw everything at the highest APR. Once it is paid off then start on the next highest APR and so on.
4. Budget. Work out everything that you need to pay for and then budget for it. Mortgage, utilities, car, food, insurance etc. Work out what you have left. And then throw everything you can at your debt whilst also saving a little each month to cover prospective emergencies.
5. Sell. If it not nailed down and you do not need it then sell it. Spare shoes, handbags, electronics. Then use the money to pay off your debt.
6. Stop Buying. This probably seems really obvious. But if it is not food, medicine, petrol, or essential toiletries then DO NOT BUY IT.
7. Reclassify. This was one of the hardest things I had to do. Cut back everywhere. If you food shop somewhere nice then reduce your overheads by visiting a cheaper supermarket. Think Aldi and Lidl. If you got to the hairdresser once a month then dye yourself. Use Estee Lauder? Try Simple. etc etc You will be surprised how much judicious use of your shopping power will reduce your overheads.
8. No Treats. You do not deserve them. You are in debt. You need to pay it back. Stop treating yourself in an effort to cheer yourself up. Paying back your debts will make you happiest. So no meals out, or fancy hair styles or designer clothes until life is better.
9. Less Spending, Not More Money. I know a lot of people who seem to think they need a new job with more money to clear their debts. This is probably not true. You will only spend more. So stop spending the money you have.
10. Betting is Stupid. Do not attempt to clear debt by trying to win the money. The only winner in games of chance is the house.
11. Breathe. Things will better. Facing a problem, if half way to clearing it.

And finally, email me. I cannot solve your problems, but I can listen and support you.
You are not alone my friend.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

July Debt Repayment.

Good Afternoon!

Firstly Hello and Welcome to my new follower Rainbow Child. What a wonderful name! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit little old me.x

Pay Day today and my goodness it has seemed like an eon in arriving.

This month has been slightly different to previous months in terms of debt repayment.

This month I have only paid slightly over my minimum payment as savings need to be drastically increased between now and September.

So My Debt was last month standing at a combined total of £562.71.

DEBT REPAYMENT
Credit Card 1     Was: £0.00     Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £0.00
Credit Card 2     Was: £262.71  Paid:£30.00   New Balance: £232.71
Overdraft          Was: £300.00   Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £300.00
Car Loan           Was: £0.00     Paid: £0.00    New Balance: £0.00 
Starting Debt in January - £1990.80
Debt By the End of June - £562.71
Debt Paid This Month - £30.00
New Total Debt - £532.71
Percentage of Debt Paid July – 1.5%
Percentage Paid to Date – 73.25%

This month has been very poor for debt repayment, but as I have written about before, this month I have taken the decision to concentrate on building up my savings.

So I have put £300 into my savings account and shortly will be adding my Ebay money to the funds which hopefully will pay my utilities bill and for a new garage door. (a bit of good news Ebay has now increased my allocation to 100 items per month or £3500). The selling has increased now too!.

I have now managed to clear so much of my debt I am not going to feel guilty for concentrating on my financial security for 2 or 3 months. For me having savings is just as important as being debt free.

I am also up to date as always on all of my bills.

Additionally, this month, I have allowed myself an extra £80 spending money to cover petrol to London / Surrey and for a couple of lunches out whilst I enjoy my week off work and away from home.

Thank you to those who responded either in comments or directly to yesterdays post. It is so interesting to have another point of view on this delicate matter.

I think pride plays a large part of it. I am too proud to let him pay off my debt.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x



June's Debt Repayment

Today is a good day. Today is Pay Day. You know I love a Pay Day!

I made some commission this month, not enough for a round the world cruise, just some. Plus I got an expenses cheque for just a touch over £100.

This lunchtime I really went for the debt. Whooo Hoooooo!

Here is the breakdown.

Credit Card 1

Was £80.71         Paid £80.71      New Balance £0.00 Another debt down!!!

Credit Card 2

Was £582.00       Paid £319.29    New Balance £262.71

Overdraft

Was £300            Paid £0           New Balance £300.00

Car Loan

Was £0.00           Paid £0           New Balance £0.00

I am so delighted, £400 is more than I have paid off before and means that over 6 months I have paid off two of my debts that had a starting total of £980.94.

The End is Nigh Kids!

Starting Debt in January - £1990.80

Debt By the End of May - £962.71

Debt Paid This Month - £400.00

New Total Debt - £562.71

Percentage of Debt Paid May – 20%

Percentage Paid to Date – 72%

Plus I managed to put £200 into my savings account. I really need to try and increase my savings going forward, but that might be at the expense of debt repayment.

I need to have a think about that.

£562.71 left to pay seems really achievable and so today I am over the moon!

Frugally yours

Abigail

x

May's Debt Repayment

Welcome to my new follower - Judith, thanks so much for visiting. x

Today is Pay Day. As we know I love a Pay Day as it means more money from my debt.

I had a nice surprise when I got in last night and checked my payslip. I had thought with the tax code changes, I would be better off by £14/month. I was wrong. I am better off by £35/month. £420 per annum increase in my nett pay is very welcome. I want to say thank you.

£420 would pay for my car insurance for a year.
£420 would pay my service charge on W Towers for a year.
£420 would pay nearly 2 quarterly utilities bills.

So time to pay everyone back. I took my basic £150 debt repayment and have added £35 salary increase and £16 which was left over in my current account.


Credit Card 1          was £334.78       paid £175.78     now £159.00

Credit Card 2          was £608.02       paid £26.02       now £582.00
Overdraft                was £300           paid £0              now £300
Car Loan                 was £0               paid £0              now £0

Starting Debt: £1990.80
April's Debt: £1240.60
May's Repayment: £201.80
Total Left to Pay: £1041.00

47.7% of my debt has now been repaid since January and I am still on target to paying off all my debt by December 2012.

I have set my up a new page - Monthly Goals and have stated that this month during the next 5 weeks until it is Pay day again I would like to clear another £40 from my debt, either through economising or by making some money. I will blog how that is going through the month.

Thank you so much for your kind Birthday wishes yesterday. I had a super day  - family and friends were so generous, but even more, such thoughtful gifts. My mum had bought me 2 matching bread tins, as currently I have to make 1 large and 1 small loaf. The Chap bought me so much but amongst it was 2 items he thought about all by himself - a book on cupcakes and some hot chocolate I from Twinnings which I really love. Expect to see some recipes coming up shortly.

My sister gave me €uros to go to Amsterdam with as she knew I was a little short, but the cutest notebook to write posts in if I am every caught short.

But, look at this! My friend "P" made me this cake all by her own hand. How thoughtful is that, and the time it will have taken her.

It honestly made me feel very honoured!

People really in general are so kind.

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

Happy Birthday To Me! Happy Birthday To Me!

So where are we?

April is coming to a close and tomorrow is pay day.  I like to give an update on my debt before pay day.

My debt currently is sitting at a total of £1240.60, down from £1990.80 in January. This includes this month’s interest on Credit Card 1 of £2.20.

My debt is split as follows

Credit Card 1   £334.78

Credit Card 2   £608.02

Overdraft        £300.00

Tomorrow I can pay more off.

Umm, today is my birthday. I turned 36. Let’s hope that this time next year at 37, I will be debt free. Having a great birthday everyone is so kind.

I turned up to my evening class yesterday with Banana and White Chocolate muffins for everyone. The recipe came from here and they were dead easy to make, though I did add some honey too.

Making cakes is such a small and cheap way to spread the joy around.

Look at the cake work got me! Brilliant! A Ma-hoo-sive Mr Kiplings’s French fancy. Who could not get excited about this? My day is now perfect.

Some Ideas For the next 5 weeks until June Pay Day

-          Shopping under £80.

-          Pay back an extra £40 off the debt by either selling items or economizing.

-          Try my hand at making a different bread.

-          Finish the wrap dress.

Frugally yours

Abigail

x

April Debt Reduction

It is Pay Day and that means Debt Repayment. Hurray! one step closer to being debt free.

As I have already paid for our upcoming Amsterdam trip and as the car needed to be repaired, this month I am not able to pay off quite as much as normal. Boo...  :o(

CAR LOAN           £0
CREDIT CARD 1:  Was £452.58      Paid £120.00      Now £332.58
CREDIT CARD 2:  Was £634.36      Paid £26.34        Now £608.02
OVERDRAFT:       Was £300.00      Paid £0               Now £300.00

ORIGINAL DEBT: £1990.80
MARCH DEBT:     £1386.94
APRIL PAID:        £146.34
NEW TOTAL:       £1240.60

I have paid 7.35% of my original debt back this month, and 37.7% of the total back since January . Small steps...

I am still hoping to be debt free by December at the absolute latest, and want Credit Card 1 finished by early June.

For those of you who have only recently started reading my blog (welcome!!) Credit Card 2 is interest free for 12months, so my priority is Credit Card 1 as I still pay interest. Though it is minimal, this month £2.45  

I also put £200 into savings and paid circa £35 for my monthly service on the flat. All the other monthly bills have been taken care of. My direct debits (mortgage etc) come out of a bills account I set up so that so I never go overdrawn.

I need to set my April food budget. £20 / week. So £80 to take me until 26th April 2012.

I have also today been checking my tax code as it changes on the 5th April. I will be better off by £14 per month. Thank you kindly.

What could you do with £14??

Frugally yours
Abigail
x

Debt Reduced.

It is Pay Day, and that means I can tackle "The Debt" again.

I made £100 net in commission on top of my salary this month, pretty poor, but better than a poke in the eye with a bent stick, plus last week I had an expenses cheque for £150 which cleared this morning.

The result.....MY CAR LOAN IS PAYED OFF - 1 month early!!! So happy.

I transferred first thing this morning (actually whilst lying in bed, I have an App for that) £223 through to pay it off completely. What a way to start the day! Got up and shimmied my way to the bathroom for my morning ablutions.

It did not leave much left to pay off the credit cards this month, but now I can really start hitting them in April.

Here is my new March statement.

Car Loan,       Was £223      Paid £223     New Balance £0 (aka zilch, zero nada)
Credit Card 1, Was £479.52 Paid £29.39  New Balance £450.13 (+ interest)
Credit Card 2, Was £660.00 Paid £26       New Balance £634 (interest free)
Overdraft,      Was £300      Paid £0         New Balance £300

Starting Debt: £1990
Feb Total: £1662.88
March Total: £1384.13
Amount Paid off this month: £278.39
Percentage paid this month: 13.98%
Total Percentage Paid off: 30.44%

I also transferred £200 into my savings account and have paid my monthly service charge of £35.48.

I am now going to starting hitting Credit Card 1 as that is costing me £3 / month in interest. I want it gone by June at the latest.

As a little treat I bought myself that bread book I blogged about yesterday from Amazon - 1p total with P&P - £2.81

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Hundred-Bread-Machine-Recipes/dp/1856057143

I just want to make everything in here even though I do not have a bread machine. Now I know the basics of bread making I can still follow the recipes.

Forgot my bread for lunch again today, so had a sandwich  from Subway - £3.

I feel in the last few days I have fallen off the wagon. I have not been running around spending money unnecessarily, but I do think I have taken my eye off the ball somewhat. So after my visitors this weekend it is back to boot camp. £5 for 5 days etc.

Isn't life great?
Frugally yours
Abigail
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Frugality In Action.

Firstly let me say, Hello!! to my new follower - Flourgirl. Thank you so much for visiting! x

Being frugal is an every day occurrence here at W Towers it has to be, to keep to budget and pay back those darn credit cards.

I feel on top of paying everything back and I can see an end date now of December 2012 when I will be debt free, perhaps even earlier when the commission starts flowing again. It makes me feel good to know that I am taking action. I do have bad days when I feel like it is taking forever, but the truth is it is not. "The End" as they say "Is Nigh".
In order to fulfil my goal, I have to ensure that every day thrift is adhered to. I have had 2 No Spend Days is a row, and I feel good.
When I do spend money it has to be on items that will last and are good value.
Tuesday, I bought that cooked chicken for The Chap and I to have. I served it with tinned peas/sweetcorn and the last of the potatoes I bought a couple of weeks ago. Ok, as romantic meals go, it was not the best but it was cheap. The chicken I got reduced for £3.25 and in the end it has served up 4 chicken dinners and there is another serving which I froze for another day. Plus, I boiled up the bones for a good hour and hopefully at the weekend I can make soup. Hmmm, tasty and frugal 5 meals and soup. I reckon that means that the meat has come in at 46p per meal.

I also bought whilst at the supermarket a bottle of own brand caffeine free cola for 60p and a bag of white strong flour for 60p. The food budget for Feb now is down to £15.47. I need a few things and am planning to spend a lot of that over the weekend.

I do make sure now that whatever I buy lasts - I picked up a huge box of own brand washing powder at Morrisons over Christmas and whilst they suggest using 30g per wash I use less and so far my clothes come out clean, I also bought a small bottle of fabric conditioner, then decanted it into a larger bottle and topped it up with water. My clothes still smell fresh. I could probably do away with conditioner all together but when this bottle has already done me 2 months for £1 with still over half left then I can justify buying it.

I air dry all my clothes now and avoid the tumble dryer to cut down on electricity. However, I hate the scratchy towels air drying creates, so instead I air them over night until they are about 80% dry then bung them in the dryer to fluff them up at the end.

I would have liked to do so much this week after work - bake bread, ironing etc but the truth is my family and The Chap came first, deservedly so. My sister has dropped off my nephew with my parents for half term week, at 3 years old he is a bundle of delight, giggles and energy so Monday, Wednesday and tonight I have popped round after work to spend some time with him, bath him and put him to bed. That, if you ask me is a joy. I am taking him out for the whole day on Saturday, and budget be blowed!

Tuesday, was valentines night and of course I spent it with The Chap. He bought me a beautiful card and a box of chocolates in a heart shaped box. I am so touched, no man had bought me chocolates before especially in such a lovely box. 

So, all those pesky chores have got put to one side and I will tackle them on Sunday when I have the time to do it. Bread making here I come.....

To sum up, being frugal this week has not been pesky, and spending time with 2 handsome chaps is never bothersome.

I have also made an extra payment off credit card 1, only £7.01  (such a small amount but it covers the interest payment for Feb and a couple of extra pounds too) I thought things were going so well this month I could afford it, plus nowadays it gives me more pleasure than visiting House of Frasier during my lunch hours. The result today and yesterday I walked round the block in my lunchtime, passed no shops and just felt pious for doing so.

Life really is good.
Frugally Yours
Abigail
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The Low Lows of Debt Repayment

For the last few days I have been feeling very low. After the highs of making another (for me) substantial repayment on my debt, I am left feeling very down looking at the bank balance.
This is the reality of paying off debt, you have no money. I always knew it was going to be very tight this month, but here I am a few days in and I feel depressed on what I have got to live for the next three and a bit weeks.

I am actually feeling depressed at the thought of what I have to live on this year to make me debt free by December. I have had to accept the reality that unless something drastic happens at work over the next few weeks and months, commission is going to be thin on the ground for the foreseeable future.

I can live with the thought of gruel and dry bread (ok I exaggerate for comic effect) but what i hate, i mean what I absolutely LOATHE is the fact that I cannot treat someone that I really care about. You see I want to buy a present, and I do not have the money to do it without raiding the savings. I have a dilemma and have about a week to make a decision on whether to go ahead and buy this gift or not. I will let you know what I decide.

I also have had to accept that a holiday is not in my immediate plans either. Every year I like to take advantage of a beautiful and free apartment in Spain. But, for the time being at least I cannot afford to go, again unless I raid savings or this damn recession decide to bugger off once and for all. Even a free apartment costs - flights, car hire and spending money. All of which I do not have.

I accept responsibility that I have got myself into this situation, but damn it sometimes it just plain depressing.

Not having a holiday or buying a gift will not injure me, i have food and I have savings, plus a roof over my head. More than about 80% of the world's population. I know I am lucky. But, this does not today stop me from feeling low about my situation and lack of funds.

I am keeping to the challenge of only spending £5 this week, and currently have £1.61 left to last 48 hrs. Achievable. But, this is not fun.

I also have managed two evenings without the heating on. Probably adding to my emotional downer.

I will not loose, and I will pay this money off and live simpler, but today..... now...... it is just bloody depressing.

Frugally Yours
Abigail
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The Mental Conga!

I cannot believe it, a month since I started blogging. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy it and it really focuses the mind. Thank you for visiting and reading! x
Finally got paid  on Friday morning, so mentally did the conga round the       office.

By the afternoon, most of it was gone…boo.

I have a standing order, which removes a large proportion to pay mortgage etc. I immediately paid off some of that damned debt.

LOAN                 was £334.00.     Paid £111.00      New Balance: £223.00
CREDIT CARD 1  was £514.12.     Paid £34.60        New Balance: £479.52 CREDIT CARD 2  was £710.36.     Paid £50.00        New Balance: £660.36
OVERDRAFT              £300.          Not reduced       New Balance: £300.00

TOTAL PAID              £195.60
NEW TOTAL DEBT      £1662.88
10.5% paid off my debt this month

A total of 16.5% paid off in 2012 (£327.92)

I also put £150 into my savings account.

I was hoping to pay off more, but I did not make any commission this month, and I forgot I would have to pay for the landline telephone so a lot of the extra money I had from not paying council tax this month had to go towards that.

I am 2 months away from paying off the car loan – something to look forward to.

I have set a monthly budget for February of £40 for food and £200 for petrol. This leaves me with a very small weekly allowance. But, I do think it is achievable and I have put aside £30 to pay for my fillings at the end of February.

I went to the local market Friday to buy some vegetables. This lot cost me £2.08 but the tomatoes cover lunch next week at work.

I did have to pop to Tescos too and spent £6.15 But just on a few essentials milk(2for£3), butter (2for1) and cola (own brand).      

Food Budget left for Feb £31.77. I cannot think I will need anything else until next weekend.

FOOD WASTE: When I got in yesterday evening I checked the fridge where most of my waste comes from and found these some spaghetti left over       from a meal I did about 2 weeks ago and the rest of my pie, which now is       past it’s best. Could have done better this week.

It has been snowing here today since early afternoon. I loathe snow and hate driving in it so not planning on touching the car until Monday morning when hopefully the white stuff will all be gone. Luckily The Chap lives a 3 minute walk away. The heating has been on all afternoon as it is so darn cold. There is frugal and just plain silly and having your heating off when it is this cold seems silly to me.

Had the slow cooker on since this morning with a sausage casserole, those fancy lamb and chilli sausages I bought reduced at £1.75 a few weeks ago. It looks ands smells divine. Taking it round to eat with the chap later.

Frugally yours
Abigail
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MInd Your Own Damn Business Nosey!

I have been upset most of today, and thought I would share with you the reason why.

Someone gave me a dressing down.

I was talking about my situation, and another overheard and then gave me a bit of a lecture on debt, on how good their financial situation was and on how bad mine was.

I am not sure whether I am genuinely upset, or cross or irritated. But, the fact of the matter is another person’s opinion has been depressing me all day. I wanted to say to everyone out there. If you are doing what I am doing, if you are paying money back, if you are trying to save. Then “do as I say and not as I do” and tell others to mind their own business and take pleasure from the fact you are facing your debt. Be strong, and continue. If you fail one day and spend too much. Well tomorrow is another day, try again. The only opinion that matters is yours. I say “Well Done You!”.

After posting last night, I decided to get started on my to do list.

Here is one kitchen cupboard pre clear out and clean,

And here it is after post - much more organised and now the pyrex should not lurch towards me as I open the door.

I also dug out the mushroom kit. Here it is

And got that set up. Apparently I should see something start to happen by the end of the weekend. I am not convinced it will work as according to the kindly donator from Freecycle they have had it for 12months. I believe the mushroom spores have a shelf life, but we will soon see. 

I also started on the washing. So the list is getting cracked off, which is great.

I also took these back to M&S today, and got my £29.00 back.  

I am disappointed, I have wanted a denim skirt, but the truth it that money will pay for about 4 to 5 days petrol, without me raiding my savings. So it has to go. Sob sob.

Whilst in the kitchen yesterday cleaning out a cupboard and preparing the mushroom kit I took the opportunity to pull out all three of my freezer drawers and review the contents. It is quite interesting to go through every now and again and review current food levels. I found some burgers, sausages and 4 Mr Brains faggotts I had forgotten about. So that means most the weekend and next weeks food is sorted with a little imagination and some vegetables.  

I could do with reviewing my store cupboard too, maybe next week now.

To update you on my weekly cash budget challenge, I started Monday with £7.50 in cash. Yesterday I spent £1.39 (coke and crisps) and today I spent £3.00 in Poundland on a multi bag of crisps, 3 cans of coke and some headache tablets so £4.39 spent which leave me with £3.11. It is going to be tight guys! 

I think living frugally is all about the little things to be begin with looking after your cash daily and keeping abreast of bank accounts. If you do that then the big savings follow naturally.

I thought I would share with you what I carry around daily in my purse. Here it is, nice isn’t? My sister bought it for me.

Inside is

-          Car insurance certificate

-          Driving license

-          Business cards

-          Tesco clubcard

-          Subway loyalty card

-          Boots loyalty card

-          2x debit cards (current and bills)

-          2xcredit cards

-          AA membership card

-          Blockbuster card

-          Library card

-          Online banking card

-          Local bank manager’s business card

-          Tesco clubcard coupons

-          Various shopping receipts

-         £3.11 in coins and £15 in notes to pay for my evening class in February.

It has made me wonder, if it is not a little too well filled. Perhaps I could take some stuff out?

What is in your purse?

Frugally yours

Abigail

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