Because it’s as good a time as any to set some goals. In the spirit of S.M.A.R.T. objectives, (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely):
1) Get a bit fitter. The specific goal is to be able to get up the hill without being out of breath. I think this will take about 3 months, and I plan to use Wii Fit when we can find a copy to hurry this along a bit.
2) Record some music. Specifically, get at least one song to completion (recorded, mixed and put somewhere public on the internet) within the next 2 months. I have 3 candidate songs so this should be achievable.
3) Improve my credit rating. It’s a bit crappy at the moment but with a proper regular income I should be able to fix this. Target is to have a rating in the green (experian) within 6 months, using powers of “paying things off on time” and “setting up direct debits on the right account” and even “not using credit cards unless absolutely necessary”.
4) Over the coming year, cook for myself at least twice a week. Cook for someone else at least once a month. (This second part gives me the fear like you wouldn’t believe. The first part I have already achieved this week.)
5) Contact my Dad every week, whether it be by phone, email, SMS or IM.
Regarding the last challenge I set myself on here, I’ve only once broken my “no buying clothes rule” which times out in April. I bought 2 bras for £6 when I was back in the fens, because I needed new bras, and they were too cheap to pass up. I hope you can all forgive me. I think this “no buying clothing” rule will slide into a generally frugal sense of purchasing afterwards. There’s an outside chance it will instead result in a massive spending spree at the Trafford centre. Bet now!
The current worst problem is that I don’t really have a pair of day to day shoes that aren’t a) full of holes, b) have big heels and look like school shoes, or c) cheapo white trainers that make me look like a chav. I’m sure I can last out the next 3.5 months with these 3 pairs, though. If not, I could start wearing my hiking boots everywhere…
Scatman Dan | 15-Jan-09 at 3:48 pm | Permalink
Nice post.
You’ll improve your credit rating more, faster, if you use a credit card regularly but pay off the entire balance every month by direct debit (bonus: before any interest accrues, on many cards) than if you never use the card.
Eskoala | 15-Jan-09 at 5:06 pm | Permalink
Yep, I know. I’m doing that — there are times when I need to buy something online and some places only take VISA, so I’m gonna have a few quid a month on it which I can pay off every month. Total debt is a factor so I’m paying off everything and then using only one card for little bits like that.
Liz Hague | 19-Jan-09 at 1:11 pm | Permalink
Q: how do you find out what your credit rating is without affecting your credit rating? I’ve heard that if you check it you damage it.
Scared and confused,
liz
xxx
P.s come to the trafford centre it ROCKS!!! And you can stay at mine!
Eskoala | 20-Jan-09 at 10:09 am | Permalink
Hey Liz!
Some explanation from moneysavingexpert.com but basically you have a statutory right to the information that banks etc. hold on you and it’s pretty cheap to get a nicely formatted and interpreted report from either Equifax or Experian who are the 2 major credit info providers to companies. Testing it by applying for something *will* make your rating worse, especially if it is rejected or you make a lot in a short space of time.
Hope that helps. I’d love to come to the trafford centre at some point. It’d be awesome.
CQ
xxx
Liz Hague | 21-Jan-09 at 1:04 pm | Permalink
Thank you sweetheart!! I’ll hold you to the trafford centre.
xxx