Reach for the stars...

niccatw

Thanks Maty! It is! I've found that, instead of re-writing lists of numbers to be paid off, I am writing lists of thing I need or want to buy! At least the numbers lists did slowly creep down. These lists now quickly grow!!!

Today I am procrastinating sorting through the 3 Ikea bags worth of cothes and shoes de-cluttered from the wardrobe. Some of it could be put on Ebay as it's free listings weekend! But if I did that, I could buy that top and that new yoga mat and that gorgeous silk meditation cushion without my conscience whispering in my ear as loudly!

I am also procrastinating going through a pile of boxes taller than I am full of paperwork and stuff. I'm sure most of it could be shredded but the thought of looking at it is not a pleasant one!

But it beats going out into the cold, dreich day again I suppose! The snow came to nothing in Glasgow because, you've guessed it, the rain took over!

After I updated my diary yesterday, I was inspired to see how close I was to having that £1000 for my friend. And I have it all! :j But he is refusing to give me his bank details as he says he doesn't want it back. I will refuse to let that happen.

However, he is even more stubborn than I so I have instead asked him if he really doesn't want that lovely sound sytem to enhance his movie viewing on his 50" TV...? And in the meantime I have written cheques to my grandparent and parents... I will stay more easily focuesd on saving money for a friend than on saving money for family - which is probably a terrible, but honest admission!

This gives me time to work on said stubborn friend! (I haven't even started on reminding him of new gadgets he doesn't know he wants and festivals that are coming up...) He does know that I won't let it lie (or maybe he's kidding himself, but he's about to find out ).

I also have £500 due from a work saving scheme at the end of February so I'm hopeful I can be debt free by the end of March. I may even had some sneaky previews onto some of the mortgage free wannabe challenges! :rofl:

MatyMoo

You could use money made from eBay sales to buy the things you want. This would mean you get them without increasing your debt or moving your debt free day

Hmmm, friend sounds lovely but by not allowing you to pay him back means that you would never, ever, ask him for anything again. However desperate you may be. Would he like to put you in that position

Debt free by March????? Bring on the dancing elephants!!!!!!

niccatw

:rotfl: Brilliant ammo Maty, thank you!

Here's hoping those dancing elephants don't get heldup on their way here! :rotfl:

Happytogetdebtfree

Hi nicca wonderful to see you i am cheering you on for march well done here comes debt freedom . I totally agree the smaller the debt gets the looser the pressure gets and its a nice feeling to be able to live a little and still make a difference to your numbers afterall this journey is to be enjoyed and not feel like punishment:) I am looking forward to the day im 3 months away from freedom xxx

niccatw

Hey Happy! Yay, we could both be dancing with elephants in the next three months! :money:

My Papa called tonight to say he was very proud of me for saving up the money I owed him and very glad I sent the cheque but that he doesn't want it. I've to use the money for something I need for the flat. Aren't grandparents wonderful! They make you feel good and yet gently and frimly tell you thanks but no thanks.

I realise I may sound a bit contrary here given my response to my friend saying the same thing! But families are different.

I also felt a wee bit guilty because I never phone anyone ever. I never have really, I'm not a phone person unless I have a specific purpose. And I have this mad, irrational thing where I think oh but they won't want disturbed... (I get this from my mum becasue I know she does this too. And I do this equally mad, irrational thing where I give her a row for being so silly because if people are busy they just don't answer their phones.) Anyway, I had a point! It was lovely to just have a wee chat with my Papa. It shouldn't have to cost him £835 and 5 years for the pleasure! Bad grandchild!

So now I'm wondering on the best course of action. Some things are not for the ears of your family. And whilst they have known about my debt for a while they haven't known about one of those debts being to a friend. And being that my Dad is a joiner and knows I have a list as long as my arm and his patience and being that Papa will tell them what he's said, they will fully expect me to buy stuff for the flat (like the doors that aren't hanging in a couple of rooms perhaps...) :rotfl:

Who'd have thought this would be a dilemma I'd ever have!!! Certainly not me three years, or two years ago or even a year ago! So I'll maybe just let myself off the hook about and decide not to make any decisions until Dad is next up (9th February - those lovely floors in the hall and spare room still need skirtings and the window needs a sill...). By then I'll have had a bot of hounding time around said friend too!

Erm, I never did get around to putting stuff on eBay. But I have taken photos. And somehow my finger accidently slipped and I seem to have bought a teal halter neck top and a teal wall canvas. Obviously so I can blend into my spare room when the mood takes me :rotfl: (teal feature wall... noticing a common theme here anyone???)

Right, yoga or a bath tonght? Oh, the decisons!

Happytogetdebtfree

I vote bath i know what you mean about family loans, ohs grandparents have helped us lots and refuse to take money back its been part a relief and part guilty but i know they say it because they want to help. It took us ages to have the house done we went through stage by stage and was very pleased when it was finally done years later just the garden to do now haha i dont want to even sniff another credit card when ive cleared everything i will be happy to save and then purchase xx

MatyMoo

What a lovely Papa Now use his money wisely as you get to spend it for the 2nd time

Some of us long for the phone to ring and someone lovely to call for a natter, usually when stood ironing or doing housework.

Happytogetdebtfree

Very true Matty very true x

niccatw

Maty, I never answer my house phone when it rings. I always assume it'll be some-one trying to sell me something I don't want.

So mum and dad called to say they didn't want their cheque either. That they couldn't even remember spending the money (I had to bite my tongue there not to give them an MSE lecture. Figured the timing wasn't wise. ) and that they have loaned my brother money over the years too so not to feel bad. And that I can treat them to a couple of meals the next time they are up.

If only debt repayment to the banks had been this easy!!!

I'm still not making any decisions until my folks have been up. By then I'll have had my payslip so I will see what's happening with my student loan, and my Barclaycard and HFC payments will have come off as D/Ds. So I could get final settlements for them and pay them off, which will be about £500 (rounded up). That will only leave me with two debts: £1000 to my friend and £500 to student loans. And I'll still have £500 in my hand after paying Barclaycard and HFC so if friend is still being stubborn then I could be devious and offer him £500 as a compromise. Then when I've saved up the next £500 the battle of wills can commence! (He doesn't konw this yet but I will win that battle. )

Okay, so that sounds like I was just typing decsions!

Gave training to colleauges today. I didn't know the director of psychiatry would be there quizzing me all the way through. :eek: Probably as well I didn't know that beforehand! I was nervous enough! It never gets any easier; I am always nervous! Good job I'm not a musician on tour!

Which reminds me, I went to King Tuts last night to see my friend's son's band - they were awesome! The atmosphere was just electric! I always forget how much I love live music until I go to another gig! My friend says I need to go again as it was a very different gig to their norm. They are a rock band but last night did an acoustic set with an orchestra on stage with them (if you know King Tuts; it's much smaller than it's reputation so having that many people on stage in itself was no mean feet!). As another of my friend's said, if that was the first time they'd tried it, they pulled it off with aplomb! :cool: <- me last night! Cool, rock chick! (Hanging out with the band's parents. *cough*)

Keep cozy y'all! (On a less rock chicky note I did go to bed in my PJs, fleecy bed socks and big cozy fleecy dressing gown under a 15 tog duvet last night. Baltic didn't seem to cover the temperature! :eek:)

And on that note, I might just head over to on demand to watch Gok's Style Secrets! :rotfl:

MatyMoo

Nicca, your family is just the bestest!!!!!!!

Still waiting on hand with Dancing Elephants but at this rate we will need them at the end of February