Can I throw myself at the feet of mumsnetters and will you help sort my finances out?

[peckarollover]

Not sure if anyone can remember my How Do I Tell Him thread of last year?

Basically I overspend massively (its probably fair to say Im a shopaholic), also far too generous with loaning money to family/friends etc.

Gave up work to be at home a year ago so survive mostly on one income though I do now childmind too.

Im sick of turning a blind eye and even though Ive done it many times before I really do now want to sort things out.

I have improved slightly as dont hammer credit cards as much as I did.

I am wasting small fortunes in bank charges not because we have no money but because its in a different bank or I have cheques mounting to hundreds of pounds sitting in the drawer.

HELP ME please

lol yes I told him that he will have a new account number to pay it into.

I actually cant wait to get details of new bank account so that I can get it all set up.

got a letter tday from virgin (used to have a credit card with them, well still do but it has a zero balance on it) offering 3.9% rate for balance transfer until July 06

Wondering whether to move the barclaycard 6.9% balance there

sounds good - what happens to the rate in July 06? that's not very far away (says she hopefully, looking at the weather)

If the virgin rate goes up in July 06, then you're probably better staying with Barclaycard (that's only 6.9% for the life of the balance isn't it?), just in case you can't transfer it anywhere else at that point.

Also check if they have a balance transfer fee - often 2% or 5%, sometimes capped at £50 though. That could reduce any saving to almost nothing.

Little update

Im still in "the zone" and not wasting money. DH is with me 100% and keeps asking about each purchase he makes!

Have you double checked theres the right money in the right places to aviod charges?

I have applied for a new current acount with my existing bank.

As soon as the stuff comes through for that I am having one accoutn for income and one for direct debits. Moving all of those over to new account and a standing order for correct amount going in.

Good stuff Where did the 100 quid go in the end?

erm not sure if this is naughty or not but it didnt go against any debt or indeed in the bank account but has paid for shopping this week, DD's dinner money, cleaning stuff, birthday present for a party she went to yesterday etc etc and I have 20 left.

So I "spent" it but not in the way I normally would have. It went on things that had to be bought and the money stayed in the bank that would have paid for it!

Im having a tidy up day today and might look for more things to ebay.

Thats good The money stayed in the bank so, well thats great Your doing well

well done pecka.

Now whilst you are being very very god, I would advise that you and dh don't take things too far - don't deny yourself everything, because you'll come to resent your parsimony, self-imposed though it is. It is worth putting a small amount into your budget each month to eb spent on treats for each of you to be taken as rewards for being good.

This week I havent done the usual weeks shopping but instead made a meal plan entirely on what I have in freezer and cupboard

WTF is happening to me!!!

You are growing up and taking charge of your own destiny.........feels good doesn't it ??

Yes and No!!

Sometimes I'm loving it then others I think actually was it better in deny I got whatever I wanted then LOL

You are an inspiration Peckarollover! Am trying to budget this NY too and am following your progress with admiration and interest. Good luck hun.

Hi

Im all in a muddle.

I registered as Self employed in October 2004 as I started doing bodyshop parties. I wasnt working anywhere at this time. Although had been up until September 2004.

Anyway I diddled around with doing some bodyshop parties and then mini iq parties (same kind of thing - partyplan)

Didnt make any money on either, in fact probably made a loss.

The thing is I have NO PAPERWORK or figures for any of it.

I am now self employed properly as a childminder but only since September 2005.

I have a tax return that I have just been sitting on but now have to have it in for 31.1.06 or I will get a fine.

What the hell do I do?

Hi Peckarollover, can't remember if you saw my thread in the nanny, aupair, childminders section re. the Accountant for Childminders only? he can also sort out other business interests that you may have as well as the childminding. Perhaps you could email him, explain your situation and see whether he can help - his charges per year is only something like £60.00!. If interested his name is Brian McTernan, website: onlychildminding.co.uk

• hope this helps.

Can you go back over your bank statements or contact the companies concnered for any statements/correspondence they may have?

Small update

Have managed to overpay one of they debts by 150 this month

Am now considering selling our car and replacing with something cheaper and throwing the difference at the debt.

well done pr that makes sense