D2BDF's Aim to be debt free in 2011 (hopefully!)

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

Hi Roomontheend - good idea, what do you usually spend that on? I only put one item on so far, it ends in an hour, 5 watchers but no bidders yet. Here's hoping. After that I will aim to put on a few more bits this week but I know what you mean you need to get rid of it first before you move on to the next lot!

We have a room free now so I put a lot of the baby things we've accumulated in there and I feel a bit less cluttered now which has made me feel 100 times better already. When I've exhausted all items around me for Ebay I'll start thinking about the loft. :eek:

Good luck with yours - let us know how you get on.

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

It's a week since I started the diary - feels like longer - in a good way

I am quite excited that by the end of this week I should have made my first overpayment on the loan (and on any loan EVER) and also set up several accounts with our bank for the things we need to budget for like car tax/maintenance, gifts, house/appliance repairs etc. For me these 2 things will mark the start of a new way of life for us.

Just found out that we will be likely to just miss out on the child trust fund money, our baby is due in the first week of August and babies born after 1st August will receive £50 as opposed to £250 for their CTF. I feel ok about this, something needs to be cut and I'm hoping we'll soon be in the position to set up our own funds for our baby anyway... nevertheless going to give the baby a little pep talk and see if we can negotiate an earlier arrival date - seeing as there's £200 in it for him/her.

Anyway, am loving this weather so much, I'm hoping to start washing the nappies soon - they have to be washed 3 times before use so a nice sunny day will be the ideal time. I like the way I think MSE most of the time now, I was bought this book by India Knight about thrift - you may have read it. I absolute love it, it's so inspiring and I love the way she writes - it's probably my most read book at the moment - I love the way she explains thrift to be about reducing waste rather than being tight and where to invest in an item and where not to - if you haven't read it, I would recommend it - I would say it's probably written for women more than men especially certain sections like the bit on mooncups

Anyway I'll be updating my signature ASAP and if I remember I'll start a list of overpayments on the first post so it's easier to follow.

Hope everyone else is feeling good this week!

OrangeFairy

Shame about the CTF thing. I think an early appreance might be necessary!

My eldest daughter has just turned 7 so got her second £250 amount put in. As they are finishing it DD2 won't get hers...i suppose we should just save an extra £250 for DD2 to make up for it!

The CTF has only been going for 7 years so all 7 year olds at the moment may be the only ones to ever recieve two payments!

Glad you are enjoying your diary...i find mine really theraputic. Every so often i have a quick flick through to remind myslef what i have achieved.

Woohoo if you manage to make that overpayment! That will be a great feeling!

Well done on setting up the extra accounts to help you budget. I can't believe i didn't do this years ago. I am finding it quite satisfying now to know i shouldnt be scared with big bills anymore as the money will be there! Except for un foreseen things i suppose!

You are doing really well so far! x

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

Thanks LittleKel - I'm the same, I can't believe I have only just realised that I do need to put this money away to be able to budget properly and how nice will it be to already have the money there before the bill turns up!

Is a bit of a shame about CTF but I had a feeling even if I got it for this baby I doubt it would still be around if we have number 2. I have already sent off for my Health in Pregnancy grant so hopefully that will still come through.

Yes the diaries are great for recording progress as well as keeping up the motivation, I do need to pop into yours as well soon to see what you've been up to I love reading other people's diaries but seem to lose hours of an evening to it!!

Anyway - just sold my item on Ebay, only went for £9.99 but it's £9.99 I didn't have an hour ago! :j

Thanks for popping in :beer:

joshua_blue

Hi Determo

Pity about the child money... but perhaps the baby'll arrive a few days early

Im not really into politics at all but the country has been left in a real financial mess & the £6 billion+ proposed cuts are no surprise... labour have spent hand over fist for many years & when you see things like the size of westminster's taxi bills etc..... these politician people should really hang their heads in shame.... anyway rant over

Very well done on making £s on ebay... I wouldn't know where to start with ebay

roomontheend

Well done on the ebay sale £9.99 is great. Sometimes I only sell something for 99p but the way I think about it is, 99p off my debt less the interest I would have paid on the 99p debt times the number of months the debt lasts.

The tin of £20 is used for emerency milk, other small items of shopping that would make a full meal e.g. box of eggs, take away if late home from school, a couple of drinks in the pub, ect. Mainly for emerencies(sp?) and small treats. But as I say once its gone its gone until the next week. This way we can't over spend but treats can still be had. I have decided on £20 but you may find that £10 or £30 might work better for you.

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

Hi JB! Yes I agree re the politics thing, I would much rather the country get sorted out than receive that benefit - Ebay is not as bad as you would think, if I can do it anyone can - I wouldn't say I was a natural at that sort of thing. If you wanted to have a go at opening an account (just like opening an email account really) I would be happy to help you. Anyway, your signature is looking great! Can't believe you've managed to reduce your DFD that quickly!

Hi Roomontheend - You're right, that's what I've been quoting to my husband re the interest lol... trying to get him to think about every purchase like I do. That is a really good idea about the tin, that way I would probably be more likely to stick to my grocery budget - going to have a go starting with £10 and see how it goes (loving the idea of having a treat if we don't spend it too - think DH will go for that) :beer:

Got a few hours on my own this evening, just cooked the best poached eggs and now sitting down to put some more things on Ebay... and a little bit of browsing on MSE of course

joshua_blue

Hi Determo

It would be better if you got the child £s then it was reduced.... Looks like you''ll be taking castor oil then going out for a jog last week in July ... main thing is you have a healthy baby & no birth complications....that's all that matters....& that in itself is priceless... my "baby" is my pride & joy & we are so very proud of how he's turned out.... but then we brought him up properly with all the correct values in life.... that's the secret you have such a wonderful time ahead

I may look at ebay next week...thanks for the invite to help & if i do manage to find anything to flog i'll ask your advice

Keep us posted when you have ebay successes

Determined_2b_Debt_Free

Thanks JB, absolutely agree and I will keep you posted on the Ebay success too - might even add that to my sig.

Spent all night working out my budget for things like the car tax etc that will go into separate accounts, really pleased with what I did and for the first time it feels like a proper budget accounting for (almost) everything. Now just have to get those accounts fixed up. Didn't have any time for Ebay but going to do some tonight (I hope). Have a feeling clutch is going on my car so DH is going to take for a drive tonight and see what he thinks. As much as I'm desperately trying to have positive mental attitude, this is a bit of a recurring problem, as soon as I start to be in a position to address the debt, a big expense comes in. The car was only bought for £350 so it really depends on cost as to whether it's worth repairing, although I do need a car for at least the next month to get to work. After that I'm working from home and then I'll be on mat leave so no biggy if I don't have one for a while.

But on a happier note, got some clubcard vouchers through today, added them to my existing stash and it comes to £22! I don't even shop at Tesco, it's mainly from E-on and DH fuel. What do you think I should spend them on? Inclined to order some pizza express vouchers so we can have a treat every now and then but if anyone else has any better ideas - let me know! I could spend them on groceries but they are worth so much more on the clubcard deals. I don't really like Tesco but I have never ordered online with them before and can get some money off if I do - I'm trying to keep to a strict grocery budget this month so might give them a whirl.

Also had a NSD today Made me and DH lunch which was yummy and FREE!!!! (ok, well not free as such but you know what I mean).

Hope everyone is feeling good today.

Ceniza

Hey D2BDF

I managed to track you down after seeing your comments on my diary. Good to see the progress and steps you're making to cut down your debt. It's inspirational to see, and a good motivator to help me reduce mine. I will make sure I subscribe and stop by every now and again.