Drop Debt Diva – ‘Plus-Sized Debts to Plus-Sized Savings’

Swinstie73

So after many deliberations as to whether to start a new diary, I've decided now’s the time, as 2011 has many challenges and plans ahead for me. I’m hoping to be debt free by the end of March, but having read so many diaries where MSE’rs become debt free then get in debt again, I don’t think it’s wise of me to stop posting on here.

I’ve added links to my last two diaries(not very exciting, I know):-

Handbags & Gladrags

Living My Life But(t) N.A.K.E.D.

To summarise, I had debts of £14,571 at my LBM in October 2008 and am now down to £1,850, according to my ticker is 87.3% paid, which is great. Well at first I thought it was great that I cleared £12,721 in just over two years until I realised that I have actually PAID over £24.5K to my debt and that’s because I have ADDED around £11.5K – not sure of the exact figures as my swanky spreadsheet is playing funny beggars.

Anyway my challenges ahead for 2011 are as follows:

1) Pay off the last of my debt and have savings
2) Lose around a stone in weight
3) Get my house de-cluttered for going on sale
4) Buy a new house
5) Get Married

I’m going to break it down into timescales as I get easily distracted.

1) Pay off Debt - From now until the end of March, clear £1,850 to be finally debt free. I will still have around £1K on my credit card at this point, this is not my debt but wedding related purchases which I will continue to pay each month until cleared. I will get this money back in a lump sum come September when our joint savings account matures. If I manage to clear £1,850 then I will personally be totally debt free.

I’ve set up my new budget for the year, think last year’s was too rigid and have also joined the 2011 Crazy Clothes Challenge with a budget of £240 for the year. I’ve done quite well so far as I’ve not been near any shops (apart from having to divulge £28 spent on a bra today – it was needed). I bought loads of clothes last year but my plans are simply to avoid shops at all costs. I will shop in Morrison’s instead of Asda or Tesco and basically not go near a clothes shop unless there is something I actually need. Both window and Internet shopping is banned from now on.

2) Lose Weight – I’m currently 10st so my target is to lose 12lbs by mid August (this is when I need to go and buy my wedding underwear) so I have 1.5lbs to lose each month. It’s brilliant though the difference a good bra makes to the figure, I looked about 5lbs lighter today just wearing the correct size. Going hand in hand with this will be exercise along with eating and drinking less.

3) De-clutter House – In line with being debt free, I want to get my house ready for sale by the end of March. A massive de-clutter is called for, along with a few wee repair jobs.

4) Buy New House – Hoping for this to happen before the wedding, guess it all depends on when mines sells.

5) Get married to my gorgeous OH on 11th November 2011 – this will hopefully all go to plan and will be the icing on the ‘wedding’ cake if all of the above has already happened.

Oops, sorry for the long first post.

CommitedToChange

good luck on the debt clearing, house selling and buying and getting married - woo! What a busy year for you :-D

Swinstie73

Thanks CTC, it's starting to hit me how busy this year is going to be. It's the house selling and buying I'm worried about - might need to move back to my mum's and will end up weighing even more if I do!

romylou_2

Hey Swinstie, What a fabulous Diary title:D I had a little chuckle to myself, cos I love that program.

You seem very motivated, just keep it up and take on day at a time (you have plenty days to achieve your goals).

If you have to go back to your mams for a bit when you sell your house (and you will get it sold), be strict and tell her not to feed you.

Create a mantra along the lines of "Wedding day Waistline" or "Bulge Busting Bride" and shout it to her repeatedly every time she offers you a dessert or man size portions of food!:rotfl:

*Subscribes*

Shoe_Gal

:j Happy new diary - what a fab year you're going to have

EssexHebridean

Happy New Diary from me too Swinstie!

LittleBoots

Hiya

Loved your diary title so thought I'd have a peek. What an exciting year you have ahead!

Good luck with everything, look forward to seeing how you do. This is going to be a great year for us all.

urg123

What a great title - count me on the ride as usual!!!!!

urg x x

Swinstie73

Hi all,

Lovely to see some 'old' faces and new!

Well I'm off to court tomorrow, bah! Called the juror's helpline and have to attend, but it's not until 10.45am so at least I get a long lie, woo hoo. Just watched Mars Attack cos nothing else exciting on tv, what a life I lead. I also opened another box of chocs as I couldn't be bothered waiting on the frozen ones defrosting, but I was a good girl and only ate two.

Shoe_Gal

I have always wanted to do Jury Service and never been called

Nottoobadyet

Happy new diary for you, Swinstie! You'll be so grown up at the end of the year, with your sparkly rings and new house:)