A Budgeteers Quest to be Debt Free & Mortgage Free By 40

DedicatedDFW

Hi all,

Aw thanks jwil i'm certainly glad i did the bits that i got on with yesterday as it at least felt like i'd done *something* i'm now armed with my (food) shopping list (for later in the week) and also aim to try and finish the wrapping tomorrow - with a bit of luck.

ebayqueen - hope that infection clears up in time for you to really enjoy xmas. Your meet up with your friend sounds lovely. I just about never get the food delivered (i don't actually spend enough to qualify for free delivery) Plus the time i tried it - due to a special offer - i wasn't impressed with the short date on a few items so didn't try it again.

So i am still not in a festive spirit at all - and i love christmas normally :undecided Feel the need to shake myself up a bit really in all honesty! I mean, i need to tackle this debt, i've started on a plan to really do this which is good - great in fact - a move in the right direction and getting down to the 'right where's this money coming from then?' I think now i'm a bit out of sorts - i've cleared the house of all clutter except the small box of stuff i've left to eb*y - it should all start at over 99p but there's not much there and i'm waiting for the comp to be fixed and a free listing day for this. The de-cluttering took a loooong time :eek: But it kept me occupied and kept the money trickling in and everytime an area was decluttered i got a little boost - that lovely satisfied feeling So now all the time i spent doing that has been free'd up - which should be fantastic and i can use the time to do something i love :j:j:j but instead i'm feeling a bit bleugh!

The cold thingy i've had is really lingering which isn't helping. I think alot of it comes back to the debt really - i don't feel like i'm doing enough to clear it

1, i used to mystery shop quite a lot but then found i was spending about 1 hour each day looking for jobs :eek: Then picking up jobs which paid very low fees so once the time for the shop itself was done and the report the hourly rate was tiny - but still it was extra money coming in and i got used to it - making enough to have an impact on the debts. Now there just don't seem to be any jobs available in my area.

2, i seemed to get a few bits and pieces in from surveys - all helped i don't seem to get as many invites now and then there's the ones screened out of and the ones that pay 50p for a quarter of an hour - which i don't bother with so the income from this has reduced which again means there is less to pay off the debts

3, Now all the decluttering has been done there is not much left to sell, once again the income has gone down which is again less to pay off debts


Action plan

1, Look for MS's again on a regular basis and push myself to apply for the paying jobs - i.e. not the one's where the purchase requirements far outweigh any reimbursements and fees.

2, Make sure i try and complete all the surveys i can on the day i receive them

3, Start working on something i enjoy which may also lead to income

Think i'll work a bit more on my plan and try and drag myself up to positivity again x

DedicatedDFW

Morning folks

A quick-ish update from me before i head out to p/t shift.

Well i did what i said i would do yesterday which was to work some more on my plan for debt freedom. I think i've said before - previously when i've planned to be debt free 'by my next birthday' - i didn't have a plan in place other than throw what i could at the debt.

Now though i am working on an actual proper plan, that i can keep track of and return to to see what progress is being made and what needs tweaking Thrillingly - i'll be spending my spare bits of time between now and the new year on this :eek: Its not something where i want to sit down for an hour or 2 and get it all done so a little each day should see me nicely into the new year :cool:

I have to say this has helped me feel a little better - not festive, but better :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: - even though my SOA tells me what i already knew - i have more going out than coming in each month :eek: Hardly surprising when you look at my income v mortgage payments :eek: - hence the reason i want to get it paid down too :cool: Mind you - my mortgage is not hugely more than the rent i was paying before - for years, and i added it all up (the rent) and it came to thousands. At least this way its an investment Please don't take this as a criticism of renting - as i say i did it for years but numerous reasons meant it would be better for me to buy my own place.

Just finishing my cuppa :coffee: then i'm off to brave the icy roads :eek: Might declutter a few xmas prezzies along the way

Have a good tuesday all x

jwil

Sorry you are feeling a bit down DDFW, hope you feel a bit better today.

Have you asked on the Techie board on here about your computer? The guys over there are fantastic, and have helped me on a number of occasions when I thought there was no hope or it was going to get expensive! They will pretty much talk you through word for word what you need to do and if you need a part will advise you what to get.

Good luck!

jwil

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

Morning folks

A quick-ish update from me before i head out to p/t shift.

Well i did what i said i would do yesterday which was to work some more on my plan for debt freedom. I think i've said before - previously when i've planned to be debt free 'by my next birthday' - i didn't have a plan in place other than throw what i could at the debt.

Now though i am working on an actual proper plan, that i can keep track of and return to to see what progress is being made and what needs tweaking Thrillingly - i'll be spending my spare bits of time between now and the new year on this :eek: Its not something where i want to sit down for an hour or 2 and get it all done so a little each day should see me nicely into the new year :cool:

I have to say this has helped me feel a little better - not festive, but better :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: - even though my SOA tells me what i already knew - i have more going out than coming in each month :eek: Hardly surprising when you look at my income v mortgage payments :eek: - hence the reason i want to get it paid down too :cool: Mind you - my mortgage is not hugely more than the rent i was paying before - for years, and i added it all up (the rent) and it came to thousands. At least this way its an investment Please don't take this as a criticism of renting - as i say i did it for years but numerous reasons meant it would be better for me to buy my own place.

Just finishing my cuppa :coffee: then i'm off to brave the icy roads :eek: Might declutter a few xmas prezzies along the way

Have a good tuesday all x

Ooh, cross posted.

I agree with the mortgage vs renting thing. We decided to go for that because we knew that if we rented we wouldn't have enough spare to save a large deposit for a house. Admittedly there are benefits to renting, in that you don't have the maintenance costs etc, but we wanted the security of knowing that eventually our house will be all ours and not have to worry about rent or mortgage. Our mortgage payment is slightly less than the rental would be for this property as well so it's worked for us.

I'm sure you'll be DF by your birthday, you can do it!

DedicatedDFW

jwil wrote: »

Sorry you are feeling a bit down DDFW, hope you feel a bit better today.

Have you asked on the Techie board on here about your computer? The guys over there are fantastic, and have helped me on a number of occasions when I thought there was no hope or it was going to get expensive! They will pretty much talk you through word for word what you need to do and if you need a part will advise you what to get.

Good luck!

Thanks jwil - and some excellent advice. I must admit to being a bit scared about posting on other boards on here as i have read other peoples posts about how unfriendly some of them are :eek::eek::eek: - ok i'm sure they're not all like that so i must put this onto a to do list Which is something i really need to do *yawn* i'm just so tired i'm not getting on with anything :eek: - although i do have to go back to the docs - which will explain the tiredness then, but that will have to wait until the new year - there is just no time off work that isn't a bank hol at the mo.

So To Do to Ta Da list :T (in no particular order) and to see me through to the new year

Household Chores

1, dust upstairs
2, dust downstairs
3, dust hall stairs landing
4, vacuum upstairs,
5, vacuum downstairs
6, clean hall, stairs, etc.
7, keep on top of pot hillock
8, change bedding
9, wash, dry and put away bedding
10, dark wash
11, light wash
12, and dry and move
13, and dry and move
14, mop kitchen floor
15, put rubbish out
16, grocery shop
17, move grocery shop

Life Admin

1, write letter of complaint
2, write letter of complaint
3, ring scary place up
4, do banking
5, Continue sorting MS stuff
6,continue with debt free plan
7, write letter for course
8, collect jacket from cleaners - i tried already
9, go through box make sure nothings been missed
10, send e-mail again!

Health & Fitness

1, go for 3 runs
2, book that appointment at docs
3, start new exercise routine
4, book place on next run

Things for Me

1, continue reading
2, bake at least once a week

Any Other Business

1, message friends
2, Wrap xmas prezzies
3, write last few cards
4, contact techies


Plently to be going on with there then eh? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Hope everyone is well x

jwil

The first time I posted on there, I was convinced I was going to be laughed out of the room. Especially when I kept going back as the things they were suggesting weren't working or I didn't understand what they were saying. But they were lovely and patient and sorted it all out for me

You have a hefty to do list - I do notice the stuff for yourself is rather short though

And thanks for reminding me that I was supposed to pick up a prescription yesterday - oops!

DedicatedDFW

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the reassurance about contacting the techies jwil

And - my to do list? hmmm.... - not really had time to look at it today though i have accomplished one or 2 things :T

Ok right now i am torn between feeling :j:dance::j:dance::j:dance: and :undecided:o:undecided:o:undecided:o

the Spendy Elves have been for a visit, and though it was lovely to have them here, i am hoping they go and visit someone else tomorrow :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Confession Time

As many of you may be aware from reading my thread i love! love! love! a bargain and today i managed to spend £26 :eek::eek::eek: on 26 items :j:j:j which were in a fantastic sale :T:T:T Prices were reduced from £18 upwards (Woo!) And i got some lovely things including 4 gifts for others too I really like the shop i got the things in and even when there's a sale i end up hoping things will be reduced a bit further so i can afford them so you can imagine my delight I literally unpacked everything when i got in and sat here going, 'oh they are all just so pretty' :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Off to do penance - wrapping gifts and thinking of more ways to pay off the debt next year - obviously not by keep spending money like that - although it did occur to me i could sell them on for more but they did say there was a limit on individual purchases so i just picked out what i loved and what i know others will want too

jwil

£26 for 26 items is a great bargain! Especially if some are to be used for gifts too.

Without encouraging you to spend - you can't go through your whole life never buying anything - as long as the bills are paid, there's nothing wrong with a treat now and again, and when it's a true bargain, you have to weigh up whether you would be able to get it at that price in the future.

DedicatedDFW

Thanks jwil - they are all truly stunning - and i'm wearing 1 of them tomorrow too :j:j:j

i nipped into the charity shop the other day and snaffled myself a lovely plain dress for xmas day - smart enough but very comfortable to wear so pleased with that

All prezzies are wrapped, all cards are written, all cleaning has been done, bedding washed and changed, all other washing done :j:j:j - feeling a little more ready for the day now - especially as i've got what i'm wearing sorted out. - Comfy enough to eat lots and not worry about it :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Tea is sorted out for later too so all is good there

DedicatedDFW

So To Do to Ta Da list :T (in no particular order) and to see me through to the new year

Household Chores

1, dust upstairs Done! :j:j:j
2, dust downstairs Done! :j:j:j
3, dust hall stairs landing Done! :j:j:j
4, vacuum upstairs, Done! :j:j:j
5, vacuum downstairs Done! :j:j:j
6, clean hall, stairs, etc. Done! :j:j:j
7, keep on top of pot hillock This daily battle is being fought :j:j:j
8, change bedding Done! :j:j:j
9, wash, dry and put away bedding Done! :j:j:j
10, dark wash Done! :j:j:j
11, light wash Done! :j:j:j
12, and dry and move Done! :j:j:j
13, and dry and move Done! :j:j:j
14, mop kitchen floor ooh - not yet
15, put rubbish out most done a bit to do again
16, grocery shop Done! :j:j:j
17, move grocery shop Done! :j:j:j

Life Admin

1, write letter of complaint
2, write letter of complaint
3, ring scary place up
4, do banking Done! :j:j:j
5, Continue sorting MS stuff
6,continue with debt free plan continuing - a little a day
7, write letter for course
8, collect jacket from cleaners - i tried already bah - next week now
9, go through box make sure nothings been missed
10, send e-mail again!

Health & Fitness

1, go for 3 runs
2, book that appointment at docs
3, start new exercise routine
4, book place on next run

Things for Me

1, continue reading Done! :j:j:j I love reading
2, bake at least once a week

Any Other Business

1, message friends
2, Wrap xmas prezzies Done! :j:j:j
3, write last few cards Done! :j:j:j
4, contact techies


So a good start has been made here then not sure i'll achieve much today and tomorrow as this is family time but i'll crack on again on boxing day :cool: