One day at a time......

newlifeahead

Hi All.

I am going to start my diary again. I had lost complete track and had stopped.

A little about me...
I had started my debt free journey back in 2005 when it felt like my whole world was about to end. At that time I was in debt by just under £60k:o
Alot of things has happened since then and now my debt 4 years later is now just under £20k:j. Wow I never thought I would get there. That may still seem alot to some people but when I looked at what I owed a few years ago I can't belive I have cleared so much on my own.

I don't really want to make this first post too long. I plan to post little and often instead of all in one go.
I decided last night that I need to get back into the swing of things. I had become extremly ill over the last 6 months and back in January I collapsed and was admitted into hospital half dead on my ds 4th birthday. I am luckly to be alive today. I am very well recoved now and have never felt better. I can't belive that I was ill for so long and had no quality of life.
I have now started working again 2 weeks ago. My kids have been back home and I can look after them again. (They had to stay at my parents while I recovered... Thank GOD for my parents...)

I have spent more money of over the last couple of weeks since having this 2nd chance of life. I now view everything differently.

I will try and post my SOA later. I don't know if I can improve it but every little helps.

I wanted a diary when I can put everything on eg my goals for debt reduction, lifestyle changes and improving how I live.

I will finish this post here as I feel I could ramble on forever but I will be back with more.

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I have just discovered that my new life is not ahead but it is now here. I just have to live it.....

newlifeahead

I have now managed to do the ironing this morning so the kids clothes are all sorted for school on Tuesday.

I will be going out for a few hours and I hope to cut the grass when IO get back as I here it will be a nice day all day today. (I really hate the gardening..)

I hope to then a least put up my soa and think about my shopping list for this week. I do struggle to keep things going for anything longer than 48 hours, so I will only plan for the next 48 hours and go from there.
I will have to change the way I shop because I tried meal planning for the week, would go out and do a weeks shopping and then couldn't be bothered to stick with the meal plan. Food was getting thrown away. What a waste of money.

I will be back later. Lets see if I can do just this 2 things by the end of today.....

chazsucks

Hey just wanted to say you have done AMAZINGLY well so far Keep it up xox

true27

newlifeahead wrote: »

I have just discovered that my new life is not ahead but it is now here. I just have to live it.....

Could not agree more, you're inspiring :A

newlifeahead

Thanks Chazsucks and true27. I must say that reading everyones post on here helps me a great deal.

I have so far done 1 out of 2 tasks. I got home just after 6pm and cut the grass straight away. I was dredding this task but I am glad that I have got it down.
Only thing is I have felt so tired after doing that. I am ready to go to bed now. I have one more task to do which is my soa. I will give it a try. I also really need to do a shopping list for tomorrow. Kids will be back to school on Tuesday so need to make sure I get DS1 food for his pack lunch.

Right SOA here I come...

savingholmes

HI NLA - well done on paying for £40k! Hope you manage to resolve the other £20K.... At least you are feeling better now and still have strong family support and some gorgeous kids... Many people would consider you blessed! Good luck with your journey....

newlifeahead

Ok I have done my soa here it is. I am going to post it first and then try and explain a few things.

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household.......... 1
Number of children in household........ 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1031.2
Benefits................................ 814.73
Total monthly income.................... 1845.93

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 301.6
Council tax............................. 89
Electricity............................. 77.5 - I Know this is high. Think it was
Gas..................................... 77.5 - under calculated previously
Water rates............................. 39.1
Telephone (land line)................... 12.34
Mobile phone............................ 6.86
TV Licence.............................. 11.61
Groceries etc. ......................... 200
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 100
Road tax................................ 20
Car Insurance........................... 24.91
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 15
Childcare/nursery....................... 460
Life assurance ......................... 0 - I have this through quidco, which paid me £20 to have it so no expense for me
Other insurance......................... 5 - paid to payplan to cover debts
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 20
Haircuts................................ 16
Emergency fund.......................... 20
Total monthly expenses.................. 1516.42

Assets
Cash.................................... 1011.51
House value (Gross)..................... 120000
Car(s).................................. 1000
My life............................ priceless:D
Total Assets............................ 122011.51

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 45000....(301.6)....1.25
Total secured & HP debts...... 45000.....-.........-

Unsecured Debts
Description.................... Debt......Monthly...APR
Robinson way...................570....... 6.89......0
Natwest o/d....................1418.03...12.96.....0
Moorcroft...................... 2201.91...13.01.....0
Barclaycard.................... 7644.68...50.1......0
Egg card....................... 7537.39...41.13.....0
Total unsecured debts......19372.01..124.09....-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,845.93
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,516.42
Available for debt repayments........... 329.51
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 124.09
Amount left after debt repayments....... 205.42

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 122,011.51
Total HP & Secured debt................. -45,000
Total Unsecured debt.................... -19,372.01
Net Assets.............................. 57,639.5

newlifeahead

A few things about my SOA.

I am currently paying my debts through payplan at £130 per month. All of my creditors have frozen the interest on my accounts.
I have agreed to clear the Robinson way debt with a full and final offer. The debt owed was £1755 and they accepted £850 paid over 3 months. The 2nd payment is due at the end of this month.

I am then aiming to pay off Moorcroftand the Natwest overdraft by the end of September which will then leave me with only 2 debts to clear before I turn 35 in 2 years.

Mot is due 2nd May. I am praying this will not cost me too much this time. Last year it was £1000. Had lots of things replaced so hopefully that should be it.

Can't think of anything else right now so I will leave it at that.

Thanks for your kind words savingholmes. I do feel really blessed to have a great family. They don't know the extent of my debts but I was glad to have them around when I was really ill

newlifeahead

Right day 2. I have been up since 5.30am this morning. Went for a walk as trying to get fit.
Put washing in and did some ironing.
I am about to start work (work from home which is great:D)

Things I need to do today.
Go to the bank to pay some money in
Food shopping (with a list)
DS1 has lost one of his school pumps so need to get a replacement for tomorrow.
Check online banking
Get car booked in for its MOT

I am hoping not to spend any more than £25 today.
I must not eat any chocolate, crisps, sweets or cakes for the next 24 hours.

beanielou

You are doing so well

newlifeahead

Update on todays tasks.

Things I need to do today.
[STRIKE]Go to the bank to pay some money in
[/STRIKE]Food shopping (with a list)
[STRIKE]DS1 has lost one of his school pumps so need to get a replacement for tomorrow.
[/STRIKE][STRIKE]Check online banking
[/STRIKE]Get car booked in for its MOT - May not be able to do this today.

I have slipped 1 extra thing in. I have booked my self in for a delux pedicure at the local college next week. It will only cost £4.50 which is a bargain. This is a treat I have booked in advance, I must do the following every day by now until next Tuesday. If I don't keep up then I will cancel it. There should be no treats for laziness.
I must take a long walk for exercise.
I must not overspend.
I must not eat chocolate and crisps (I will not include cakes just yet. That is too hard for me.)

So far I have spent
30p parking
£3.49 DS1 school pumps.

off to do my shopping list and then shopping without the kids. (this works out cheaper;)