Debt free in ten years-my new, more realistic challenge.

poohbear59 · 1 January 2013 at 2:31PM

I have just been reading my diary from around this time last year. Our circumstances are very similar. No extra money coming in... things a bit lean..

Basically it has made me realise something I have known for the last year, but tried to ignore. We have two businesses which are seasonal in nature so every year we are going to be short of cash in the Winter. Duh!!

As well as paying off debts my resolution/aim for this year must be to squirrel some extra cash away so we are not so cold and hungry next Winter. We aren't hungry but DSs would lead you to believe so as we don't have a fridge filled with cooked meats, variety of cheeses and yoghurts. This year they can buy anything extra that they want.

This weeks new frugal recipe. Spicy onion and lentil soup. DSs 2 and 3 said it tastes like onion bhaji soup. 2 onions, fried, 1/2 pack red lentils, cumin, dried coriander spices, chilli powder and vegetable stock cube to taste. Simmer and adjust seasoning. Blend to a smooth soup, scrummy and cheap.

HappyNow · 1 January 2013 at 2:35PM

I'm really sorry to hear Mr Pooh is feeling so down. It puts extra pressure on your own shoulders which you could do without right now. Maybe now the stress of Christmas and New Year is over he will start to feel better. Your family seem to be rallying round to help you, I bet you're really proud of them.

Happy New Year and I hope 2013 is a really good one for you because you deserve it x

poohbear59 · 1 January 2013 at 10:26PM

Thank you Mrs Happy. Mr P is struggling but he has the backing of all of us and he has beaten the depression in the past so we know he will come out of it again.

I just realised that we both have birthdays coming up soon too. I am not sure I will be debt free in seven years but will be trying my hardest.

poohbear59 · 2 January 2013 at 3:53PM

Today I have been researching cheap postage to Oz to send my father's effects to my brother and my nieces. I have got it down to £64 to brother but £45 to nieces which is way more than we can afford. DB's parcels are 10kg and 2kg, nieces is under 3kg. Some more research is required. One company wants to charge a £20 surcharge per parcel because we are rural. One line of enquiry will be to see if I can take them to someone else's house for collection to save the £20. Wish me luck

Still nothing from electricity company......

grannyx2 · 2 January 2013 at 4:20PM

poohbear59 wrote: »

Today I have been researching cheap postage to Oz to send my father's effects to my brother and my nieces. I have got it down to £64 to brother but £45 to nieces which is way more than we can afford. DB's parcels are 10kg and 2kg, nieces is under 3kg. Some more research is required. One company wants to charge a £20 surcharge per parcel because we are rural. One line of enquiry will be to see if I can take them to someone else's house for collection to save the £20. Wish me luck

Still nothing from electricity company......

Postage works out cheapest if you can keep the parcel sizes to under 2kg, so maybe you could split the items into smaller packages, depending on what it is. I also think that if they want the items they should be paying the postage themselves.

Granny x

poohbear59 · 2 January 2013 at 4:54PM

grannyx2 wrote: »

Postage works out cheapest if you can keep the parcel sizes to under 2kg, so maybe you could split the items into smaller packages, depending on what it is. I also think that if they want the items they should be paying the postage themselves.

Granny x

Ah! That is such a good idea. We packed them up before Christmas to get them out of the way but the biggest one can probably be split into smaller packages. :money: The smaller one is actually cheaper with PO than with couriers which I have only found out from the information you have given me. I started all my searching using the heaviest first and then adding on...... It is a bit like buying train tickets.....IYKWIM

DB says he will pay but to send it the cheapest way. He will pay when I know costs but in fact I need to pay then claim it back!!!:eek:

I know it is harrowing but maybe I need to unpack the bigger parcel, DS2 and DD packed it and it is very heavy. They did it because I was so upset but I feel a lot stronger this week. I was wondering where all my dad's books went to. I think I know the answer:D:o

poohbear59 · 2 January 2013 at 6:26PM

I have had another trawl through pockets and other odd spots like the car and have found £6.90. It is amazing what can be found when you look. £13.55 in the lamb pot.

I also found £10 in MrMs saving stamps from earlier this year. I have them in case I manage to go to a Mr Ms anytime. usually only get there once or twice a year.

DSIL and DD invited me out to a local cafe for hot chocolate. Such a lovely treat. They know how to cheer me up. And I didn't spend anything at all.

I have put my debts in order of importance for paying off.
Lamb £105
Electricity bill
Barclays cc
LLoydstsb cc
Santander cc
Barclays kitchen loan
Barclays mortgage
DB
DA
DS3

If I can pay off one credit card completely this year I will be delighted. The loans/mortgages are all going down as I make sure I make those payments before anything else.

One very good point that I have noticed is that I only have about £500 to go before the total debt (minus mortgage) is under £60000