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Original poster

I am going to whisper this but...

13 replies

cazinge · 21/04/2012 21:23

...I think we might not go into the overdraft this month! Shock Only 1 d/debit left to go out before I get paid and only need to do a small food shop (Aldi so will be £20/25ish). Car will last until I get paid for petrol but we could probably afford to top it up before then Grin Grin Grin

This is despite paying £400 for our holiday this month and not putting anything on the c/card! I am secretly worried there is a massive bill lurking that we haven't paid. Confused

It feels like cutting down is finally paying off.

Watch my smuggery disappear when the piece of rubber the dog ate yesterday does not "pass through" as the Vet247 people assured me and we have a £££ operation to pay for

OP posts:
teanosugar · 21/04/2012 21:27

well done you !

I know what you mean by big bills lurking, just as you think 'I've done really well this month' you can guarantee an electrical appliance will breakdown!

Nagoo · 21/04/2012 21:30

£731 on my bloody car this week.

It's lucky you are whispering Wink

Original poster
cazinge · 21/04/2012 21:35

tea I know what you mean that always happens to us which is why I'm whispering Wink

We were only £26 OD last month the day before I got paid so we are definitely paving the way to recovery. Smile

I am hoping to pay off the c/card completely next month and only use it for emergencies from then on.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 21/04/2012 21:39

It's a good feeling.... A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a certain ExH walked out and left me with a house to run and £££'s of debts. Months of scrimping, sleepless nights & busting my tail at work later I still remember the relief the day the accounts clicked over into the black. Never looked back. Fingers crossed it lasts for you. Well done.

nannyl · 23/04/2012 15:13

well done you Smile

typicalvirgo · 23/04/2012 15:14

Very admirable. well done.

louiespence · 23/04/2012 18:36

Brilliant, well done! What have you been doing to cut down?

Chilenachica · 24/04/2012 13:11

How's it going cazinge? Still in the black? Hope the dog is okay

Original poster
cazinge · 25/04/2012 19:05

2 days to go and we're still looking good Grin we will be paying off the c/card on Friday when I get paid so will be debt free by the weekend bar the mortgage and my student loan which I try to ignore

The dog is fine thanks Chile although I haven't seen the piece of rubber reappear yet Hmm

Louie we have been doing the really basic things like switched to Aldi for 95% food then do a top-up at Tesco or Asda for things we want branded or can't get e.g. branded coke (I know, I know), alcohol deals, etc but that is probably once every month-6 weeks & spend about £100 but as we're now only spending £30-35 at Aldi every week it works out much cheaper.

We also monitor the bank account religiously. I know what date in the month all the d/debits go out, etc. I get paid monthly & DW gets paid weekly so at the start of each month I do a spreadsheet with closing balance from last month then list each payment in and d debit out in date order and get the spreadsheet to calculate what the balance will be. I use this to see what day I can go food shopping (this probably doesn't apply so much to people who are both paid monthly). I have also just downloaded the mobile app for my bank and am seriously excited about seeing it on the move Blush

We have stopped takeaways (except chips which is about once a fortnight and can get for 2 of us for under £5 if we share a large chips) minimised car usage (only have 1 anyway), checked all insurances. Yesterday I rang about my mobile contract because I was due an upgrade. I was paying £20 for 500 flexible units (any combo of mins+texts) and 500MB internet, because I said I wasn't bothered about getting a new phone they have added 5,000same network mins, increased internet to 2GB and reduced cost to £15 still getting my 500 flex units. I know its not much but saving £5 a month is better than nothing. I have done the same with BT for our phone, internet & TV its not much fun & you do have to be quite firm & say you are going to switch to a competitor (knowing packages/prices of other companies shows you are serious).

On a side note, while typing this I appear to have turned on overwrite - anyone know how to turn this off?

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 25/04/2012 19:07

All that's left to do now is sell the dog. Grin

Original poster
cazinge · 25/04/2012 19:20

I was sorely tempted this morning when she refused to go out in the garden on her own because it was raining Hmm

OP posts:
nkf · 25/04/2012 19:22

I am keeping my fingers crossed too. I haven't been using the overdraft for a few months now but still worry as I get to pay day too. Loads of other debts to go though.

Original poster
cazinge · 25/04/2012 20:10

Well done nkf you have to cut back more to get out of the overdraft iyswim as you are starting from a - position every month.

It is a big achievement.

OP posts:
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