New house....new me.....new start.....

Choc-addict

Up and alive....just....to start overtime at 8.

Visit to office and meeting was worthwhile yesterday - not such good news but hey I've kind of been expecting it.

Anyhow, basically really need to drastically reduce debt and increase savings asap....the world in which I work is changing some what and I think for the next 2-3yrs my job 'should' be ok but after that who knows and even then i'm not 100% sure as with gov budget cuts my department are going to have to save money so never really know what is around the corner. All I do know is that my job and what I administer will not be around in years to come and that basically = no job.

That said the way things are it can all change and new opportunities may arise, it's not all doom and gloom just yet but what it has given me is a bit kick up the backside in sorting my finances once and for all as I may not have finances (in sense of salary) in years to come to sort out. For me I need the debt gone and a reasonable amount of savings should the worse happen and my timescale/plan for this is 2yrs min leaving me with choices rather than no choices.

So as the title of this post says....let the battle begin!!! Starting with a days overtime, what better start eh!! Oh but not before I have a cuppa

Choc-addict

This will be my little space for Xmas planning and I will copy and paste as time goes by and additions to completed list.

I have opted for token gifts this year and have explained to all that I just can't afford anything more. Average of £10 per person.

So far -

All family Xmas cards and OH's card brought and paid for

Nephew no 4 out of 5 present brought - reduced to £3!!! Bargain :cool:
Mug for part of Dad's prent brought £5

Total xmas present spending so far = £8.00

Choc-addict

Gosh, haven't posted in ages! Just never seem to find the time as too busy working or sleeping. Guess that's a good thing though!

Nothing much to report, I think i'll manage to do all my Xmas shopping out of this wages for family and friends which will only leave shopping for OH to do from Dec wage - woo hoo! Never been this organised at Xmas in my life

Pretty much working 7 days a week at the moment - needs must and all that. Will update some financial stuff later and am already thinking about my goals/aims for 2011 both financial and personal

Choc x

penelopedee_2

Hiya Choc, don't work too hard at the weekend

Choc-addict

No lottery win for me last night so back to the daily grind and debt busting it is!

Weekend has been a mixture of good and bad. The good, socialising with OH and friends, little bit of retail therapy - bad I know but at least 70% was paid with bday vouchers. Bad = fell down the stairs on Friday and now pretty stiff and bruised, i'll live but in a bit of pain at mo. So much so that I can't sleep and am up at this hour on a Sunday morning!

So, I think (hope!) that I have actually finished my Christmas shopping - totals to be added up and posted later. Woo hoo! I only have OH's to get which will be later this month once I can decide what to buy and then done, i'm really pleased as normally am not this organised but I was determined to get it out of the way with my Nov pay so that Dec wages are not touched for anything Christmas wise except for perhaps buying the tree and a few decs or something like that. One very happy Choc :-)

Number crunching to be done later, too early in the morn and i'm in need of another coffee!

Choc-addict

Thought i'd write myself a little update of debt totals, achivements and forward planning. I have decided not to wait until the new year as need to start the momentum now

So...................

Total debt at LBM (Nov 07) = £63,864.18
Total debt as of today = £38,247.77
Total debt paid to date = £25,616.41 :T

Now to the forward planning.................

Total debt is standing at £38,247.77 - my aim is to get this figure to 20k or less by the end of 2011.

A the moment my montly payments clear between 700 - 750 per month after interest etc. For calculation purposes I am going with the lower of 700.

38,247.77 - total debt less
9100.00 - 13mth basic payments cleared debt (Dec 10 - Dec 11)
29,147.77 - balance remaining after normal payments....

9,147.77 - is total amount I need to find/pay extra between
now and end of December 11 to reach goal of 20k or less.

So, how am I going to do this. Well simple hard work, cutting back and saving. I'm hopeful the figure of 9147.77 will actually become less due to settlement offers etc but we shall see. It'll be hard but I need 2011 to count financially so that I can see a future that is far brighter than now....financially that is!

I also have some personal goals too but will save them for another day as my brain is aching now!

Choc x

Oh and I already have £400 in savings toward debts so actually that figure is now only £8747.77 to find - woo hoo :j

OrangeFairy

well done Choc - you have done so well

I will pop on for a proper catch up soon. I have been moving and have no internet! (at work at the mo!)

I need to get motivated!!!

LittleMoog

I am in awe of what you've achieved so far, and your determination! I need to find a significant amount of money to pay towards our debts if we're going to meet our target of being debt free by Christmas 2011, so I'll be looking for tips to help me find an extra £6k on top of our regular payments
Looking forward to hearing how you get on

Choc-addict

littlekel wrote: »

well done Choc - you have done so well

I will pop on for a proper catch up soon. I have been moving and have no internet! (at work at the mo!)

I need to get motivated!!!

Hey you!

Ooh, moving too - I shall catch up soon then. Hope everything is going well xx

LittleMoog wrote: »

I am in awe of what you've achieved so far, and your determination! I need to find a significant amount of money to pay towards our debts if we're going to meet our target of being debt free by Christmas 2011, so I'll be looking for tips to help me find an extra £6k on top of our regular payments
Looking forward to hearing how you get on

Hey there,

Perhaps we can motivate each other this next year to really go for it. I'm def up for the challenge and really would like to see that figure a lot less than 20k at the end of 2011 but am trying to be sensible and stick to a plan of action for now as it gives me focus.

Will be back posting regularly and will update myself with your diary....each time I look it's moved so far forward I can warrent an update until reading it in full!!!

Choc x

LittleMoog

Choc-addict wrote: »

Hey you!

Ooh, moving too - I shall catch up soon then. Hope everything is going well xx



Hey there,

Perhaps we can motivate each other this next year to really go for it. I'm def up for the challenge and really would like to see that figure a lot less than 20k at the end of 2011 but am trying to be sensible and stick to a plan of action for now as it gives me focus.

Will be back posting regularly and will update myself with your diary....each time I look it's moved so far forward I can warrent an update until reading it in full!!!

Choc x

It's only cos I waffle on so much