Kirstle99's Debt Free Diary

kirstle99

Hello

So a month on from my last post and I have been doing the following towards my list;

1) I have quit smoking :T however, I have been buying and consuming the odd 10 pack here and there, and this needs to stop. I'm working on it though.

2) The spending diary really opened my eyes. I never spend what I haven't got in the bank to pay off in full each month on my CC. I got a new CC so next month I can close my bad credit one. The new CC has a 0% deal for a period on purchases so that's good, even if I couldn't pay in full each month I wouldn't get stung by interest. I didn't quite get the interest rate advertised but it's about 12% lower than my bad credit CC so that's an improvement :rotfl:
I started a spending diary and I was shocked how all the little trips here and there added up to £186.26 in January!!!! :eek:
February's total is currently £227.14, however £128.66 of that is materials for decorating my hall, stairs and landing.

3) I have been studying hard over the last month and I have completed my first assignment 3 weeks ahead of schedule :T I just need to keep up the momentum, i'm having a few days' breather this week as a reward.

4) The exercising hasn't gone as well as i'd hoped. I was doing really well but I pulled my back a few times (I have a long-term problem with lower muscles in my back anyway) so i've been unable to exercise. I'm going to have this week and next week off to let my body heal and then i'm going to get started again for the first week in March. I'll be doing my DVD twice a week and my jogging app once a week.

5) I'm really trying with the kids. I'm not a naturally maternal person but i'm trying to fill our weekends together with visits to people, the park etc, things that aren't going to cost the earth!

I've also been working out that the £2k I still owe my mum for the boiler should be gone by the end of the year. This will be a huge weight off my mind, but we shall see how much I can save.

kirstle99

Hi all

So the last few months have been a bit of a roller-coaster! I have been saving hard to get rid of the debt I owe to my mum's OH. The total currently stands at £712.98.

I am so pleased I have got it down this far. My mum's OH is also pleased; to the point that he said he is so impressed with my determination, he will be happy with £500 and forget the rest of the debt.

I am in two minds about this, because I really feel I should pay all of the debt. However, if I accept is kind offer, I will be officially 100% debt free by the end of August.

I have been spending on my credit card, but I have also been saving the equivalent each month to pay in full. Even though it is at 0%, I feel this is good practice and looks good on my credit file.

I will need to begin divorce proceedings in September, so this may set me back a little into debt, but I have worked out that as I spend I can pay off things so i'm not overly worried.

kirstle99

I've done it!!!! I pay my last £500 of debt tomorrow. It's completely not sunk in. I want to scream with happiness!!!!

I'll write a proper post when i've calmed down, but this is good. THIS IS SO GOOD.

It means I can finally start saving properly for the first time in 11 years!!!! I'm going to keep posting in my diary and reading the boards for inspiration. The last thing I want to do is be in more debt; must remain focused!

Golightly72

Well done Kirstle, that must feel great! :T

It sounds like you have had a real rollercoaster few years, but you sound really focused and organised, you will have those savings built up in no time. :money: