the maccas Debt Free Diary - 20K to pay in 18 months

tigzem

Just wanted to say "Wow" Have just read through your diary and what an achievement so far... will keep reading. So jealous about NY, maybe one day I'll get there. Enjoy it x

Verbatim

Yeah we all slip up. You've done better than many, (certainly than me!) so I'm sure you'll have a strategy worked out soon to minimize the cost. How much will you have once you've taken back the stuff you can? Perhaps the rest could be dealt with when you return from NY in the same way you've been raising the spending money. You could see the amount plus interest paiyable as a separate sum rather than just adding to the previous debt.

themaccas

Thanks everyone. I think that's a really good idea Verbatim. I had a chat about it all with OH yesterday and he choked a bit, laughed and said 'Can I go and send some too!' I will be taking a bit back but I've decided to do what Vebatim has suggested, pay minimum payment until after we get back from holiday then keep it as a seperate amount and try and pay it back as quickly as possible. I'll add it to my sig when I get back - only 5 weeks to go:j :j

chevalier

we all go a bit mad at times, but I am so paranoid about spending money, that I can't even imagine spending that much money in a week. I am not criticising, just thinking that may be I have gone to far the other way regarding not spending money!
hmm may have to think about that. I would just pay the monthly minimum for now. Or do you have a good enough credit rating to balance transfer it to a lower rate card?
you are still going great
chev

Seaxwyn

Crikey themaccas, that is a monster blip! It's lucky you are such an ace moneysaver as it won't take you long to pay that off. Don't feel bad about it - if you want another reason to feel better you can feel a warm glow for making me feel happier about having spent £45 on a swimming expedition at half term.

I'm dying to know what you spent it on - just for the thrill of spending vicariously. Please do tell!

themaccas

I'm a bit too embaressed to say Seaxwyn, I mean it was appalling frittering.:o It started by using it to purchase a textbook for a course I am doing, I couldn't really afford it and thought 'just this once' I would use it......The next day I thought the same......it all added up far too quickly and in the middle of the week I bought a personalised number plate for OH:eek: ......I'll stop now, that's a bit too much information:o

Seaxwyn

I know how it happens. I had a day like that last week - starting with £4.99 hair straighteners and ending with £15 in Morrisons on pure snacks as the real food shopping had been done. The personlised number plate is out of my league though! Is it something you can sell on.

I'm really impressed with the amount you have paid off so this blip shouldnt set you back very far at all.

themaccas

Maybe I could sell it on but I think it will be quite complicated and now we have it.....I think we will keep it. I have today though, taken back-
£120 worth of.....
£30 worth of.....
Cancelled £175 worth of......
Still too embarressed to completely confess to all but I have reduced the debt by £325.

The thing is I really started thinking of it as 'free money'. It was though I thought 'I can't afford this but it's ok I've got a card full of free money'. Thank goodness I've come to my senses. I really hope I don't do this again, time will tell I suppose.

moozie_2

themaccas wrote:

The thing is I really started thinking of it as 'free money'. It was though I thought 'I can't afford this but it's ok I've got a card full of free money'. Thank goodness I've come to my senses. I really hope I don't do this again, time will tell I suppose.

Hey sweetie

Nice to see you are taking control of the situtation - just as I knew you would!

Well done on reducing the amount and make sure you don't replace the card so no more blips!

themaccas

Aw thanks Moozie. I think it all started a couple of weeks ago when OH who is in the Forces was told he was going to be offered an extension in his service. This was a big shock as he was under the impression this was not going to happen and he would be leaving next April. So all the worry about paying the debts off as quickly as possible sort of didn't really make me very anxious anymore. He got his formal offer yesterday and we are deciding whether he will accept it or still leave. The pull to stay is very strong - an excellent salary and private school fees (or 90%) for the children. So we have a lot of decision making to do.

However I am now firmly back on the DFW wagon and there will be the contining surge to clear our debts - promise!