Poor but happy at 55 need to be debt free to retire!!!

Claw_back_money

Sounds good PBH. I've given away gifts before, it feels a bit weird doesn't it, but then if you're anything like me you spend a lot of time going through cupboards getting rid of things that people have given me that I never use and probably won't - ebay etc.
I think I've seen Martin Lewis referring to 'no unnecessary present pacts', which seem like a good idea.
When you've sorted out your finances you will be able to buy coffees again (if you still want them) - you need to hang on to that thought.

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

My latest project is to pay off my MBNA card which is just under £3000 by Easter.

I plan to do this by PAD, selling on ebay, doing clicks etc. I am withdrawing cash for my shopping each week and whats left at the end of the week will be paid off my card. This should make me really stingy!!!

I will update my progress in my diary.

Claw_back_money

£3000 by Easter, good target.
I found that the cards were a bit easier to pay off than the overdraft, (once I'd stopped spending on them), as you can see them going down.
Out of interest what is the interest rate on the MBNA (if you don't mind me asking)?
Cash for shopping is also a good plan, do you find that 'real' money is so much harder to spend than plastic, I don't understand why but it seems that lots of people find this.

Cheers
Cbm

jo1972

Hi PBH,

Just read your diary, you sound quite inspired and I am quite jealous lol

I am now 37 and when I was growing up expected at this age to have paid half the mortgage off, have some savings, go on a holiday abroad every year etc etc. In actual fact, I got myself into financial hell from the age of 18 and even now still can't afford or due to credit rating can't get on the property ladder, have 3 kids and have never been able to take them abroad. It's only been the last year or so since I've joined this site that I've been taking more notice of what I'm doing rather than burying my head. Hopefully next year we will be able to afford that holiday and the kids will be able to go on a plane (which is the bit they are looking forward to the most!). it doesn't matter how old you are at all, it's all about the way you think and your actions.

Good luck with your debt busting, I shall be reading with interest.

Jo.x

Poorbuthappy55

Another day of DFW - no spending for me today!!

CBM - Hi I think the interest rate is high about 22% I will dig out the paperwork tomorrow when I have the house to myself and will post it then.

JO - welcome to my diary. Once you get hooked on this sight you will become debt free and in 20 years time when you will be about my age you could have paid off your debts, bought a house and had a few holidays. Good Luck. x

Sun_Addict

Hi PBH

Just catching up with your diary again. You have inspired me to start doing PAD again - I had slacked a bit with this. Like you I withdraw cash for my food shopping each week. I try to visit different places in my lunch break to make the most of whatever's on offer. I have a set budget for each day/shop and I am trying to spend under so I can put money aside for PAD. I have managed to achieve this everytime I've been shopping since last week so far and am determined to keep this up. So thank you for the inspiration!

chevalier

Poorbuthappy55 wrote: »

Thanks for dropping by.

Elantan - men seem to be worse hoarders than women!! They keep everything just in case. I've just done my insurance through quidco and the policy was £71 less than my renewal and I hope to get £50 cashback if I've done it right! On this site there is a cashback site comparison tool, so you can put in say Axa insurance, and it will tel lyou which cash back site has the best cash back for that company


I will try the online shop when I get paid at the end of the month and see how I get on. There is a voucher forum on this site so always have a look there for a code for online shopping. I pretty much get a voucher for some thing extra every time i shop on line either free delivery, or extra points... Also there are wholesale pet food sites online, that often do big bags of dry dog food, that even with delivery work out cheaper than the supermarket. It might be worth having a look there too.

I bought some veg and meat at the farmers market yesterday and I'm going to make myself a nut roast - should last a couple of days.

Tonight I'm going to rummage around for more stuff for ebay. If you are going to list things on ebay, then download their free listing tool called turbolister. It allows you to do listings off line and then load them all up at once. It does save time once you get the hang of it.

Back later!

good luck with your journey to debt free ness
chev

Poorbuthappy55

Dear diary it's catch up time.

I'm doing this while I'm at work which I have never done before so I'm feeling rather naughty!!

I'd like to say Hello to the newcomers to my diary and thank you for reading it because I know it's a bit boring compared to many of the others.

Yesterday I had a NSD but today I popped into Tesco on my way to work for milk and a few "bits" and spent £5.16 which a couple of months ago would have been £35.16 because this time I literally bought what i needed not what I fancied. That's a big change for me.

We have booked our ferry for a weeks holiday in France next July for less than £50 return.

I have PADed everyday even if it's only a few pence in my money pig. My pig is very nearly full so I am going to take the contents to the machine at Morrisons at the weekend.

I have printed off vouchers for 2 courses and a drink for a tenner at Prezzos for myself and 3 friends to have a get together on Thursday night. We will have a few cheap drinks in Spoons first.

I am amazed at how long the money in my purse is lasting these days and the end of month leftovers will be paid off my MBNA which I plan to pay off by Easter.

All the above is a complete change of lifestyle for me and I'm loving it!!

Every penny I spend is considered NO impulse buying at all.

I will probably log on again this evening at home if I've got time to read a few diaries and get some more tips.

See you later xx

Claw_back_money

I'm not sure we would be able to access the site from my work (starts thinking and plotting though...)

Your ferry sounds like a real bargain, what are you going to do when you get there?

Don't the machines in Morrisons take a hefty percentage? The more cost effective way may be to get (free) bags from your bank, count out the money then go and pay it in. You could complete a slip to credit the money directly to MBNA, not as nice as holding it of course, but you get to feel virtuous and use the angel :A in your diary!

Have a good evening
Cbm

homegrown_life

you sound like you're doing really well PBH. I think I'll come here when I need some inspiration!