Debt free and buy a house by 35

andymc29

As part of my plan to focus oin non DFW stuff for a while, I've started a fitness blog: http://andysfitnessblog.wordpress.com/
it's tracking my attempt to complete the 100 push up challenge and my training towards my tae kwondo black belt. Might have some running stuff in there too at times.

Otherwise, money's okay right now, going to start my Christmas shopping this weekend, have a few ideas for what to get the GF, have been listening to what she's been saying when we're out and keeping mental notes of when she mentions things she'd like or thing her friends have recommended to her.

andymc29

Come on pay day! Just another 8 days to go! then more overpayments onto Natwest loan, should bring it under 14k total debt will be under 16k

Got a pretty busy few weeks coming up to Christmas now, so new year will arrive before I know it. This week I'm working till thursday then off Friday and Monday next week. And I've got TKD training most nights too, so yes, time is flying by. Roll on new year, 2011 will be my DF year!!!

andymc29

I got a letter from Nationwide today... "Why not extend your personal loan by £10,000? You can go on holiday!", um, no thanks. I feel like writing back calling them theives and how dare they advise people to borrow money in order to go on holiday. It's pretty clear the "responsible lending" means something very different to a bank than to everyone else.

Kepp

I would be very temped to write that letter!

It's exactly this sort of lending that causes so many problems :mad:

andymc29

another pay day, another overpayment, knocked £200 off the natwest loan today. Will knock some more off later this month after Christmas shopping is all sorted and I know where I stand for the end of the year.

All getting quite exciting, cause I've only got another three paydays now till the bonus one, which should clear a whole load of debt in one go. It won't be gone, but it will be a lot smaller than it is now.

andymc29

Paid another £100 off the natwest loan. Feeling a bit glum about debt today. I think it's because I had a really good day out with the GF yesterday, we looked at baby toys for friends new babies, looked at engagement rings in jewellers and chatted about living together. But none of that can happen while I've got debt. She's made it very clear that I can't live with her while I have debt. She's always supported me with sorting my debts out, and even told me yesterday that her sister said months ago that she wouldn't have bothered with someone with debt problems, but that she stayed with me because she loves me. This makes me feel great, but also very guilty that my debts aren't just putting a hold on my future, but her's too.
We are having fun as a couple and things are great. But we've been going out over 18 months now and it feels like things should be moving on.
I've cleared around 40% of my debts since I met her last April and should be 100% clear by the end of June next year, which is only just over six months away. She doesn't know the full extend of how much debt I have or how much I earn, but I've given her the impression things will change once my debts are gone, and we can think about moving on with things like living together and starting a family.

Cloudy456

I can totally relate to that - I feel the same way about my relationship with my BF. I feel like I'm treading water while I'm saddled with debt and also guilty that I am not in a position to offer more materially in our relationship. Not that I think he expects it, but because I feel ashamed of the position that I am in at 26 compared to him who has always been sensible with money. But I also know that I will be rid of this debt and will still have years ahead of me to benefit from the life changing lessons that I have learnt at a young age. And that in the future, I will be able to be a better partner and parent because of it. I know its hard not to get depressed, but you are making amazing progress and your GF is very lucky to have someone who thinks of your relationship in this way - a lot of people would give their right arm to have a loving and supportive partner who wants to set up a life together, and its only a few months before you can move forward debt free. So remember you are lucky to have each other - its not all one way!

Kepp

Fully agree with Cloudy - it's not all one way!

Also, Cloudy, don't feel guilty that you can't offer more materially - there is far more to good relationships that the things that you can buy. In fact, it's the mark of a good realtionship if it can weather when things are tougher, no matter what, going through life, things won't always be roses.

Chin up Andy, you are doing brilliantly and really battling away at this debt. It's brilliant that your GF is so supportive of you while you're doing this but it's also brilliant that you want a life together so much your willing to put the effort in, so don't lose sight of that

andymc29

Right, thanks for the nice comments guys. Feeling a bit better about things today.

Time to make some new years resolutions, I like to do them now so I've got a few more weeks to think about any changes or additions I might make:

1. Get out of debt
2. Get my blackbelt in Taekwondo
3. Run a marathon
4. Move in with the GF
5. Get my motorbike licence

andymc29

Another £50 loan overpayment made. Feels good to see my total approaching the 15k mark. Seems like it wasn't too long ago it was just going under the 20k mark, to think at my LBM the total was over 23k, 15k seems like a small amount of money. I know to someone like my GF it's a fortune, but to me right now it seems pretty manageable.
I'll get paid next Thursday and knock another £800 off the total, so I'll end the year owing less than 15k, then it's only eight weeks till my bonus at work comes in, which should knock another 5k off the total, so I'll be well under 10k left at that point, could even have less than 7k left to pay by that point. Right now I can't imagine only being 7k in debt. Because right now I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but it's hard to believe, I've been in debt for around 10 years now so the concept of being debt free seems a little unreal.