Walby1993's determined diary to become debt-free!

walby1993

So as one of my goals in the '101 in 1001' challenge is to get our debt below £18k. So asked H2b how much was on the credit cards and it turns out its around £650 meaning our debt has increased since 1st Jan!!! To be fair car repairs were unavoidable (he usually does them himself but it was to do with the cars computer so had to be done by Ford) and the other expense on there is his college fees which will benefit us longer term (just 6 months till he is a qualified electrician ). But still annoying that when we have tried so hard we have got further in to debt!

debtfreewannabe321

that sounds interesting the 101 in 1001 challenge, how does that work? I am on track with the grocery challenge this month how are you doing with it?

Are your credit cards still charging interest? Can you change them to a 0% interest rate to help pay them off quicker?

SOme of the apr's on ours are over 50% what silly fools for taking them out in the first place!

And wow what a boost to your income it will be when H2B qualifies, you'll be able to attack those debts properly then!

walby1993

Hi DF,

Basically the 101 in 1001 challenge means you set yourself 101 challenges to complete in 1001 days. There was a thread on here but it doesn't really seem to be in use any more. Like I said, most of mine are money orientated but I have included other things that I keep meaning to do but never get round to e.g. read five classic books or get carpets steam cleaned. Some people are very self-motivated but I don't think I am (at least not as much as I could be) so am using this to try and achieve things!:p

I have yet to go grocery shopping! Going tonight after work though so keeping my fingers crossed I will be a savvy shopper. Have almost finished my meal plan (just need to think of one more dinner) then can make a shopping list.

I think the interest is about 15% APR so not too high but obviously 0% would be better. My only worry is that we then have access to even more credit.. Not sure if thats a risk I want to take. The problem is, they offer CCs to you sooo easily - we probably get a letter each every month offering loans and CCs!

Fingers crossed it will be! We are making an educated guess that his take home pay should go up by over £200 a month once he is qualified so that would be a big help! :T

debtfreewannabe321

Basically the 101 in 1001 challenge means you set yourself 101 challenges to complete in 1001 days. There was a thread on here but it doesn't really seem to be in use any more. Like I said, most of mine are money orientated but I have included other things that I keep meaning to do but never get round to e.g. read five classic books or get carpets steam cleaned. Some people are very self-motivated but I don't think I am (at least not as much as I could be) so am using this to try and achieve things!:p

That sounds good! I'm not sure I could think of 101 things to write down though :rotfl:but it's a good idea! I might have to have a look at that thread :j


I think the interest is about 15% APR so not too high but obviously 0% would be better. My only worry is that we then have access to even more credit.. Not sure if thats a risk I want to take. The problem is, they offer CCs to you sooo easily - we probably get a letter each every month offering loans and CCs!

If i were you i'd take them (DH & I couldn't get any more credit....hence the DMP route ) ANd i would transfer all balances to the 0% ones and cut them up instantly to stop temptation lol :A

walby1993

It was hard to come up with 101, which is part of the reason 65 are money related (e.g. get debt under £18k,, get debt under 17.5k, etc). They can be really small trival ones though for instance I have loads of lovely work skirts and dresses but always wear trousers so have a target to wear a skirt or dress 150 times over the 1001 days. Not life changing but might make me look like I own more than three work outfits

Have thought about that - might just look into it. If they are cut into little bits doesn't matter how tempted we are to use them!

So, not long got back from shopping. As my target is £140 over 4 weeks I should be looking at spending no more than £35ish a week. I spent £12ish on the cat (40 pouches, 2kg dry food and 10litres of litter) which should last him the rest of this month and some of next and total only came to £37.21 including all the cat stuff :T. Very pleased with that!

walby1993

On my way to work this morning I was thinking about my upcoming honeymoon (well its 6 months away but v.excited already!). I am now suddenly sick with panic! The honeymoon itself costs just over £2700 and we have already paid £650 of this. This is only for flights, accomodation and breakfasts. We still need to pay for transfers to and from airports, lunches, dinners and entrance into places (going to Venice, Rome, Pompei and Sorrento so we intend to visit lots of lovely places). So even if we budget £900 spending money for 15 days (which works out at £60 a day) which will be a squeeze, we have to save up £500 a month. I have rejiggled SOA and even taking out spending on petrol when its school holidays, taking out any presents, socialising and keeping to a budget of £140 for food shopping, we will just about afford it!:eek:

Here is hoping I suddenly have a genius moment and find a "spare" few hundred pounds a month from somewhere or that people are very generous at our wedding (we have asked for money as we have lived together for 2 years so don't need anything really)!

Deeperblue

Hey Walby :wave:

Your honeymoon sounds AMAZING, I'm so jealous! You only get one honey moon and I'm sure it'll be perfect.
I was wondering, I know you said your not really bothered about having 'stuff' as gifts so how about using something like this?
http://www.honeymoney.co.uk/index.asp

This is just an example I found with a quick google search. A friend of mine used one once and basically what you do is create a list of things you'd like to do on your holiday such as:

Excursion to X for 2 - ££
Dinner for 2 in X posh resturant in Rome - £
Gondola ride for 2 - ££

And then people can buy one of them for you. Helps people feel like they've brought you something a bit more personal than just giving cash and if you put a range of cheaper and more expensive things I think it would be easier for those on a budget

Speak to you soon.

~ D.B. ~

walby1993

Hi DB,

Those websites are a really good idea except they charge you £50 to set up We did look at one or two before but thats why we decided against it. Although I wish I would of thought of making a list as it would have given people some sort of idea what they were getting us.

Hehe, apart from panicking about money I am soooo excited about it - more than the wedding . I do say, in my defence, I am not at all excited about the wedding as I can't believe I am finally going to be a Mrs!

Walby

walby1993

Can't believe how much 2011 has dragged so far! I sooo can't wait for half-term! Can re-sort the flat, get more of the wedding sorted and try to catch up with school work. Will also try to find more ways to save money as well as trying and complete my goal of conquering ironing mountain!

Deeperblue

Hehehe... spending £3300 on the honey moon and your worried about that £50? :rotfl:

It must be mega exciting. I LOVE weddings :j:beer: How long have you and OH been together? Has it been in the pipeline a while? Have you got the dress?

x