urg's 123 Back to Basics Debt Free Plan

urg123

Hi,

I've been a member on this site for about 18 months now and have learned lots along the way. But, I am innately lazy and desperately need to get moving.
I have so many goals that I want to achieve - the first and main one for me is to be debt-free by Christmas 2009. At the moment my debt sits at £11424.

My lovely OH proposed to me earlier this year and I would love to get married next year but really would like to start our marriage debt-free.

At the beginning of this year I set some goals for me to achieve. Lots has changed already since those goals so I have revisited them and here they are:

My Top Ten Goals
1. Declutter flat so OH can move in
2. Secure the right job for me by 2010.
3. Work goal
4. Hold fantastic birthday parties for mum and dad’s 60 birthdays.
5. Visit a relative and a friend monthly.
6. Be debt free by December 2009.
7. Raise at least £100 per month.
8. Complete tax return by july
9. Keep a tidy and organised home.
10. Achieve a healthy weight.




I have an exam to revise for so I can't really get moving on this until May but here are my May 2009 goals:

1. Earn at least £445 in May to cover the loss of earning from my lodger. I will do this by:
   1. overcoming my fear of Ebay;
   2. registering for mystery shops and focus groups;
   3. I am going to learn about clicks (been meaning to do this for ages);
   4. look for some other money making schemes
   5. EDIT: learn about scratchcards and get started
2. Declutter at least two wardrobes in the bedroom - I have a lot of clothes I would love to 'diet' back into but I really need to make some space. Need to be ruthless
3. Lose 7lbs of weight through managing what I eat and exercising every day - with the summer coming I am hoping that this would be easier
4. Plan my mum's 60th birthday party - she's not been well so we'll have to tailor the plans according to her health. We know that she'll want her immediate family and close friends there (easily 50 people).
5. 10 NSDs in May
6. £100 Grocery Challenge (to include meals and snacks at work!)

I hope that I will post every week. If you don't hear from me in a while - give me a poke!

Wish me well on my journey.



urg x x

urg123

I have set up a standing order to a savings acccount to pay for my annual costs (i.e. buildings and contents insurance; TV license; Presents). I have found that I have been leaving this money in my current account and I end up using this money to fund spending that is not linked to my budget.

I really want to make sure that I stick to my budget in May and will do everything I need to to ensure that I won't go over it next month.

Any ideas anyone has will be gratefully recieved.

urg x x

epsilondraconis

Great news on the wedding proposal - good luck with your debt free journey.

Keep posting...

Pippilongstocking

Helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllo - waves madly to Urg and wishes her well on her wonderful new shiney diary.

Runs out again as am in middle of work and evil supervisor is lurking - am subscribing woo hooo someone else to annoy

Lemon_Tree

i'd say you've made a great start by setting up a standing order for the annual costs - it's saved my bacon many a time.
Do you do the free scratch cards? I've been doing 2 since christmas and have now withdrawn £50. Not ever going to be quick cash but i think that's quite decent in almost 4 months.

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
Keep posting!

mynameiscatherine

Congratulations on the proposal :T

And good luck with your diary I have just started one too and I am already scared of spending money because I don't want to have to write it down, so it works!!

I do the free daily scratchard on Take a Break bingo. I tend to win at last 10p a day, sometimes £1! Once I won £20, used some of it to bet on a bingo game then won £98!!! But since then my luck has run out and I just keep winning rubbish 10pences but they all add up I suppose

Anyway I shall pop back now and again to see how you're doing :beer:

urg123

Hi

Thanks for all your encouragement. I haven't started on scratchcards but I will be researching them in May. I will add it to my list of things to do now!

I am making a start on my healthy weight plan by joining a Yoga class tonight. It's one of the only bits of exercise I enjoy so I am going to a trial class tonight - spend of £6 but I will be gloriously relaxed and about 2 inches taller (I'm only 5'1''!). I also managed a lovely walk in the sunshine this afternoon!

Catch up with you all soon.

urg x x

urg123

Ever since I started this diary I have ideas flying around my brain - I know I can't really get started as I really need to get revision done for my exam but I am raring to go. I have started to write lists - copious lists! I have started a list of things that I would like to ebay.

I have been playing with my budgets - I have had to find some extra money as I will be going into my OD this month (for 2 days!) and to pay for my new yoga classes so there will be less money to overpay on the debt. I was really hoping to try to get to 45% of debt paid so that will added to the goal.

I am also in the process of moving some money I have in a savings account where I am paying tax to my new ISA. It seems a bit silly putting money into an ISA knowing I am going to have to take it out, but I also know that I won't be able to save into an ISA in the normal way until I have got my debt out of the way.

That's enough of my ramblings for today - better get on with some chores!

urg xx

Swinstie73

Hi Urg,

Well done on starting your diary. I started one recently too and find it really helps, especially at work at lunch-time, I would normally be out spending money but get more enjoyment reading diaries. Good luck, will subscribe and keep looking for updates.

Buffythedebtslayer

oooooooooooo I didn't know you had a diary! *subcribes*

Hi Hon looking good so far xxxxx