Debt mutual support thread number 4 .... every journey starts with the hardest first step

[TalkinPeace]

This thread follows on from Nerf's incredibly useful
FIRST www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/1969188-Can-we-have-a-support-thread-for-people-who-are-massively-in-debt
and then SECOND
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2011878-Debt-support-thread-2?
and my THIRD
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/a2062902-Debt-Number-3-For-those-who-feel-they-are-drowning-and-want-a-way-out?msgid=48505428#48505428
threads about realising you are in and supporting each other out of debt.

I am not in debt, any more.
Here is a link to some spreadsheets that might help
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/1987219-SPREADSHEETS-for-Debt-Control-Budgeting-Mortgages-etc

and lots of people use this
YouNeedABudget

The important thing to remember is

• yesterday is as past as the Crimean War

( we will not judge how you got into debt, but we will support you on the way out )

• this is an anonymous forum

( we will not tell your employer, family or friends of the reality of your numbers )

• this thread is about supporting people through the huge mindset changes needed to come out of debt

( feel free to offload all of the feelings that drive you to want to spend, that make it hard to save and that generally make life crap at times )

Join in, bare your soul and come out the other end.
Its worth it.
You are worth it.
The long term results for you, your marriage and your children are worth it.

Good ideas all :) I shop in lidl mostly and some Tesco to get the points - I buy sale clothes there sometimes too.

Sacrifices are - mainly DH and I never go out so not great for marital joy but can't afford babysitter plus going out expenses ! We never buy clothes just recycle old stuff & sometimes primark etc when absolutely stuck. House maintenance is non existent which means a bit of a mess when we can't afford a skip, new curtains etc. even shelves for DCs room had to wait. food shop very basic though at least we can cook. Not socialising is probably hardest as you really find out who your friends are the ones who stick with you through everything :) I really miss my gym esp as I'm at the age where ev piece of chocolate sticks to the hips ! Haven't sacrificed the annual family holiday which I probably should I save e2.5k per year through work it's a lot if it went off debts but even if we didn't go would end up spending something plus I really couldn't not go when we work FT feel like we all deserve something to look forward to !

Am going to start that 2 euro jar for xmas however wondering what do you do with all the 2 euros - bring them to a bank obviously but do you bag them up in advance etc ? Last time I raided the copper jar I went to Tesco used their glib machine. 9 % commission I didn't mind on e45 sitting there 10 years.

Thanks for the food budgeting advice. I've meal planned this week and am being strict with myself about not buying snacks during the day. Don't think we'll shop at Morrison's again: tried it this week and came in over budget. Going to give Asda another try.

Snowie, I have to admit I've not yet had to cash up the £2, I might have to do several different trips to the bank with various amounts to pay them in. This is the first year I've saved them.

Ooh, just remembered the one other saving challenge I do. From the first week in the year, you save £1, then second week you save £2 and then so on and so on. The total, if you do it for the entire year, is £1378 which isn't to be sneezed at.

That's the only saving I do though, apart from putting my tax money away (sob).

Checking in.

Well.
What a spendy morning!
New shoes, trainers, plimsoles etc for the dc....£160 :(
New water bottles, pencil case etc
Sigh.
Also cinema trip today as a treat for Ds who was so brave after his operation.
On the plus side Ds1 is now the same size shoe as me so I can wear his shoes!! :)
Going to aldi tomorrow!!

Anelic I was going to do that this year in Jan for this Xmas ! Saw it on pinterest but soon realised couldn't afford it :( so I just throw in some 20s if we're flush at the beg of the month will be a surprise how much is in there :) very nearly had to open it (its a big tin can one) but got away with it so far.

I need to save an emergency fund so these things don't happen ! Always something every month though..

Also had a spendy day (unexpectedly.) Was due an eye test and didn't think my prescription had changed that much. Except it has. So new glasses for me, but managed to get them on a good deal and justifying the expense in that I wear them almost every day. Am very aware that we're only living on one wage and savings now until I go back to work in September so cheap meals and days out from now on.

Well guys, I cracked open the £2 tin tonight - there was £145 in there. A nice amount to spend on a few lunches/ice-creams/park entries on holidays so I'm pretty pleased with that. Think I might continue saving my £2 in my 50ps tin for Christmas. Call me an utter saddo, but it does give you a bit of thrill when you get one in your change! :)

Snowie, definitely work on building your emergency fund. Even if it's £10 a month. Or use your Christmas tin and throw all of that in a savings account and start saving again for Christmas. Without access to emergency cash, it's just too easy to start putting stuff back on credit cards. It's bloody hard though, when there's not enough left at the end of the month, I do sympathise.

I definitely need to & have big plans from September when our childminding costs nearly halve due to school starting to start saving. Until now it's been mainly firefighting every month scrambling from payday to payday ! Luckily we have only one credit card (all the others closed & now loans don't ask !) and "only " limit of e1400 which is nearly always maxed out due to always needing to dip into it when it goes into any sort of credit !

Well done on the £145 ! I keep meaning to get another small tin & try to save €200 for sure emergencies eg say medical or taxis or something & leave it at the back of the wardrobe. Soon I'll have tins all over the house :D good idea about the Xmas tin I might consider it... With the savings club we'll have €500 in vouchers so really not much need to buy too many toys in advance as we'll use them in argos anyway plus family conditioned not to expect too much & I have plans to sew presents anyway.

I really need to sit down and rehash a proper budget. I did it, but it has all gone a bit wrong over the past couple of months.

£4 for my Christmas £2 pot today

Loving all the saving tin love :)

I cashed up the £2 today at the bank - no drama - they just asked me to bag it up in £20 bags which didn't take long.

Got confirmation of a wee added extra this year.Co I work for are making changes to our pensions so are paying us 3pct of annual salary as a sweetener in Nov! I'm in a work scheme too which takes 4pcnt of my salary every month, then pays us the 12 months worth in Dec so that always covers Xmas for me...

That's great news Mumtofergus!

Spendy day here. Desperately need to sand and paint windows (two big bays and one small window are upvc but the other 7 are wooden) so I bought paint, undercoat, filler etc, and invested in an electric mouse sander to save my hands! Unfortunately it rained when I got home, so I'll have to start another day. Total spend £63.

Also had to spend £7 in M&S to avoid car park charge in town of £3.20 - I bought knickers though, no luxury items!

Spent £53 in Aldi and £11 in tesco and put £50 petrol in the car, and spent £25 online on ecig supplies for the month.

July has been spendy and exciting so going to try and reign it in during August. I front loaded my summer with a week abroad and two camping trips so now have 3 weeks at home of DIY and school work

We spent £40 in aldi.
So I have at least £40 In the Budget for top up trips to co op In the week :)
My sister was throwing some lovely curtains away (don't ask...) and they are just the right colour for my bedroom.
So my mil is going to shorten them (they are floor length) and make my a runner for the bed and cushion covers from the left over fabric!! :)
All for £0!
I still have some items to get for ds2s party but nothing major. Already have his gifts.
Friend making the cake hopefully.
Am determined not to go into debt this Xmas...or go mad either!
Just need ideas how to make my manky sofas look better :(

Mine are only 4 years old but they were cheap.
The leather (brown) is going an odd colour (like a orangey tan colour)
We have throws but it's been too hot!

Some upholstery cleaner is quite good...the ozkleen one is good and doesn't smell all chemically.
Have seem a lovely one in next.
But I'm not buying it.
Which is progress :)

Have just spent £20 on ebay for stuff for ds2s birthday party...bloody party bags!
I have a £40 giftcard from ikea that I am saving for Xmas for gifts for ds2...ds1 is a bit old for ikea stuff!
Party paid for, just need food.
I will bake biscuits and cakes.

We both have new jobs! I am convinced this thread is karmic in some way.
I'm so grateful to all of you for keeping on chatting away to each other, it keeps me sane to feel like I'm not alone.
Summer holidays spend wise going okay, had a few garden days to unwind and luckily granny is local so have an extra pair of hands.
Cleaning - steam cleaner for upholstery!