Any chance of starting a Debt Free 2008 thread?

[Grouchyoscar]

I found last year's Debt free 2007 really useful and would like to do it again this year

Are any of the original MNers who did that one going to push the boat out again?

And can I join please

Brilliant post, Flame, I am learning so much here

Thanks!

By the way, where do you lot use milk tokens?
I get sent a load every few weeks, used to use them for milk but am stopping as it is too hard to get the right amount and I end up with too much or too little.

I tried to use a token in sainsburys last week, but the minimum value is £2.77 and I never spedn that much on milk or it goes off! so the geezer refused to accept it as part of the total shopping.

Never seen a market stall that takes milk tokens either.

And I don't buy fruit/veg at the supermarket as that comes from the corner shop.

I blardy hate those tokens!

Sorry I meant I used to use them for the milkman to deliver milk. That;s what I'm stopping. Might have to reconsider though...

Saved 1/2 my incomings this month

Put aside cash to cover DD's and SO's

Bought DS a top and a fleece for £1.50 at a charity shop

Got DS a present to put aside til July for £3 from another charity shop

Booked the summer holiday for the family this week (bargain...£300 for 3 for a week) Thought I better book it now as we have to go peak time as DS is at school now

Need to get 2 pairs of school trousers for him (1 pair too tight, another frayed legs)

I've stopped getting cheap shoes for him, last week I took a sharp intake of breath and went to Clarks. False economy to go elsewhere as they do last the distance. I'll just have to put my haircut back to next month.

And there's nothing else I really need to get this month now. Must keep hands in pocket.

peacemaker. You need to cancel the account with Barclaycard. Then if you look for another card they won't think you are too overextended.

I am very pleased with myself today, as I have finally caught up with my water payments and i'm bang on track with them. Just have to make myself pay the damn thing weekly now instead of leaving.

One thing I am struggling with is my budget. Basically, I have worked out what to pay and when, each week, but because things are due all over the shop, I am finding hard to start the budget because this week for example, I have to give my mum £20 for my washing machine payents. I haven't put this up weekly and it's not budgeted for.

Am I making sense ? Basically, without a clean couple of weeks, how can I start my proper budget ???

Oh I have also opened a savings account, in the hope of saving some money for the kids birthdays/xmas.

No idea about the milk tokens I'm afraid

With your budget - just do your best. It takes a while to settle into it, but if you are trying then it is a start

Nutcracker - it does take a while to get the budget sorted out. To be honest, doing it over a little time, bit by bit, makes you more aware of the little things you're spending as well, and gives you a chance to think of the sporadic expenses that tend to crop up here and there.

Our money is looking ok.. I think something may have gone wrong with my maths, we should be tight or over budget...

Nutty you need to squeeze that washing machine thing in. And dont over do it with throwing money you dont have at clearing things. Just the minimum consistently will do the job effectively, rather than a larger, not quite doable amount that never quites get put where it should be

I have a £2 saving tin to pay my mum back the grand I owe.
I am not buying anything I dont need.
If I go for lunch with dds we have cheap dinner that night to make up for it.

Thanks Tooly, when I rang them they said I didn't need to cancel it because I hadn't activated it but I asked him to cancel it anyway.

Hi guys, I kind of forgot about this thread but have been doing ok. I ended the month with all of my credit card debt on a new interest free card and I wasn't overdrawn at the bank either. Had about £400 left over.

One of my finance deals ends this month so will free up £45 per month. Instead of incorporating this into my monthly money I'm going to arrange a DD as of march transferring it into my savings account for Christmas/Holidays/Birthdays etc

I think now I've got all my CC onto 0% I should be able to pay off a good few hundred each month with the aim still to clear it buy July without going overdrawn.

Car tax is due at the end of Feb so being good during January will help with that.

My shopping including delvery charge was only £35 this week.

Nutty have you written down all your outgoing and incomings on a spreadsheet? I'm sure you have but thought I'd ask.. including your monthly bills.

I saved £40 a month on my gas and electris just be switching to an online accoutn with the same provider. I was amazed.

just found this thread! (i was one of the OPers on the debt free 2007). I am not in debt!!! But we did it rather darstically by selling our house moving toa cheaper area with a cheaper still house. we have to do loads of work on it though and we will be hopefully debt neutral by the time it s all finished. not necessarily to be recommended but it does feell sooo good . i am still trying very hard to keep to all my good habits learend last year though and am menu planning and ebaying everything that doesnt fit into the new house. any new tips anyone? i am trying to get the 2 oldest kids doing odd jobs forother people to reduce teh amount of pocket money they need, anybody any good ideas? (not babysitting, i have that one cracked)

Just thought I'd add a useful link www.mumsnet.com/Talk/good_housekeeping/731890-Money-Saving-Tips-for-a-Family?addwatch=here

I'm keeping out of the red but savings are taking a beating, ho-hum. Hope you're hanging in there