2010 will be my debt free year!!! Please join me.

spendtoomuch

Hi I have been an avid lurker on this site for a while now reading (and posting) on other's diaries. Its time to start my own now as I am adamant that 2010 will be the year I become debt free. I am 40 in February, the mother of 3 lovely boys (17, 9 and 5) and have a DH who is very good with money. Luckily he has stuck by me even when he found out about all the debt. I work full time and earn a decent salary and my DH works full time (sometimes seven days a week) for a tight boss that pays terrible money. Once we are debt free he won't have to work all these hours and that is what keeps me going.

Very sadly my great uncle passed away in November and I along with 8 others am a beneficiary of his will. I will be getting some in March and the rest when his house is sold. It is not enough to pay off all my silly stupid debts but will make a huge dent in them. Once I have paid off what I can I will overpay on what is left to get them gone as quickly as possible.

My next challenge is then to NEVER get into debt again and to build my credit rating so we can move house.

I appreciate how very lucky I am coming into money but part of me feels bad as my great uncle is paying off debts I (and nobody else) built up - however he has given me a second chance in life.

I want to go to the bank when I have been paid and not be in negative figures and to take the kids on a family holiday every year.

Anyway enough of my ramblings, it would be lovely if some of you could join me on my debt free challenge in 2010.

xx

hypno06

I'm 40 next year too........and I too am hoping to be debt free in the course of the year.

So here's to being 40 and fabulous :beer:

spendtoomuch

thanks Hypno, I often read your diary, you are an inspiration to all! Thanks for posting.

Ooohh and I just won £25 on Bingo Britain with my free fiver.

hypno06

Well done on the bingo win!! I certainly miss it!! I hope you have many more wins before your 30 days is up!

spendtoomuch

thanks Hypno. Did you win much on it? Its my fifth day and was starting to think I would never win so I am quite pleased.

hypno06

I probably got £140 or so from it, and a similar amount for OH in his 30 days so I was very happy with that.

I would go a few days with nothing, then a lovely run of little wins that all add up nicely!

spendtoomuch

thats fantastic Hypno, going to sign up my DH too. I hope we are as lucky as you, its easy money!

hypno06

Easy......and freeeeeeeee!

spendtoomuch

Thought I would list my priorities for sorting myself out in 2010.

1. Must get my grocery bill down - currently spending £125 a week sometimes more. I do have a fussy eater son (DS1 who is 17). He has Aspergers and consequently will only eat certain things and will only drink a certain brand bottled water at a £1 a bottle!

2. To get my gas and electric consumption down - I use the tumble dryer far too much and don't like being cold!!

3. To go through Quidco for everything - only discovered it this year and cannot believe it!

4. To change both children to packed lunches and save money on school dinners which are rubbish anyway.

5. To continue to grow own veggies - limited success this year but will keep trying.

6. To ebay everything that is not stuck down.

xx

Lemon_Tree

hi and welcome to the boards, i'd love to be debt free in 2010 but realistically i'm aiming for 2011 which i'm still happy with.

Any chance that you can save one of the expensive bottles and keep refilling it?
Just an idea and something that others do if family members insist on a particular brand. I do understand that your DS's situation is slightly different but it's just another idea.

spendtoomuch

Hi Lemon Tree and thanks for posting. I have tried that trick but his taste buds are that sensitive he knew immediately! He only has to sniff something and he knows!! 2011 is still close and that would be a fantastic achievement. Just looking at your signature now and all I can say is WOW! Do you have a diary I could read? x