Personal quest for financial freedom and wisdom

gailey_2

Hi

Havent get a regular diary on mse for last couple of years but think I need to as have so many thourghts/ideas and plans and will help keep me motivated and on track.

A bit about me.

Im currently 30 expecting 3rd child have 2lovley girls and boy on way in april.

Im currently stay at home mum did work fulltime with 1st but childcare/commute costs dident make it worth while.
Happily married most of time yet stressing about money all time does cause some strains.

Have been member on mse since 2008 and taken part in various challanges.

2010 brought groceries down thanks to lovley people on oldstyle:)
Me and hubby did pay off 20k by xmas made 15grand of repayments but sadly due to high interest, bank charges and some emergancies dident clear that amount.
We doing pay off as much as you can 2011 challange and aiming for 15k again.

Really want to try harder at comping never won so get dishearted and bored.
need to up my income havent had any surveys or mystery shops sent to me on over a year need to work out why.

want to switch insurance/energy and couple other things to trim back monthly outgoings and save for emergancies/xmas so not mad panic.

why the debt- well number reasons went down to one income, appliances broke down, car of doom which is most of our creditcard debt. kids underestimated how expensive little people can be.:rotfl:
Hubby lost his bonus worth 18grand and took a paycut we just lucky hes just got fulltime job but has high commuting costs as does high milage and long hours so makes it hard for him to take on 2nd job.
I tried looking before 2nd was born during credit crunch must ahve applied 50josb heard nothing back. eldest in school no family support so finding it hard finding part time job that fits in around hubbys work/kids.

Would like to say we have something to show for it all but rent house and have hardly any nice things, crap car and been on no fancy holidays it all went on just living costs and debt interest.

Hoping things are looking up 2011 got left small inheritance from aunt which is lifechanging so quite exited for us.

can pay off all my debts bar one 1700 overdraft which hoping to clear by xmas but will be lot pf hard work woth no income so needs to get back into ebaying and other ways to raise extra income.

I am putting 3grand towards new car plus scrapping the car of doom which said we should have written off years ago for something that doesnt keep local mechanic in business, big enough for growing family, cheap on tax and economical on feul.
Problem is relaly like vw touran ticks lot of boxes but only have 3900 budget so about 1000pound short:(

I used to have vespa but sold it and really would like to pass cartest this year which means more money.
We have 2nd car inherited from fil nissan micra which hubby uses for work as much cheaper on petrol as only 25quid to fill tank compared to 70quid on saloon of doom.

Im a bargain hunter so costs for kids low as buy in sales, ebay, nearly new sales and carboots so do quite well.
eldest has packed lunch half the month to save money.
Both girls do clubs roughly 50quid amonth but nice for them to have hobbies and dropping 2 soon .
Youngest just started nursury 1day a week for some mummy free time but using childcare vouchers through hubbys work so thats saving us some money.

With new baby plan to breastfeed, use cloth and hm babyfood again.
Brought majority of things 2nd hand so feeling positive.

long term plans are

2011- pay off 1700od once other debts paid off next week:j
hubby-pay off 2500 cc 1 and 4500 cc2, 2700od
15,000 loan ends jan 2015:eek:
Start building up savings as lack of emergancy funds meant adding to debt.
start dream holiday fund havent been abroad since 2005.
afford new netbook.
save up for tution fees as want to go back uni sept 2012 to retrain as a social worker.
start saving deposit for a house and repair bad credit rating so when we do go for morgage we get a good deal.
Find part time job that fits in around 3kids well 4including big one my hubby.

Im the optimist in relationship and get easily excited:j
hubbys much more impulsive but cant see light at end of tunnel and needs a push at times.

Hubbys tried to find better paid jobs but crap market so having break right now as his jobs at least safe.
we rarly go out or spend money on ourselves.
Gardens his passion so extending our fruit and veg in garden this year to keep costs down plus hubby now appreciates the joys of foraging as fouund some cherry trees last year.

Me im quite oldstyle my passion is sewing, cooking ect.
I batchcook and freeze, make chutneys and breads/presents.
This year hubbsy brought me breadmaker which also makes jam for xmas but still trying to work out how to use it:rotfl:

Shopping wise I rummage reduced we even went boxing day/newyears day to get best bargains.
Even hubby now not too proud to rummage.
we downshifted and mostly buy value or on offer/essentials only.
we try do sainsburys/lidls,farmfoods and butchers to keep costs down. This has been huge for us as few years ago hubby copuldent be bothered its slowly sinking in to him that little things make a difference that if we careful we can still eat well on a budget just takes more time and effort.

Xmas made my dad a homemade hamper he said was best present ever was so pleased so plan to do more hm stuff this year.
Dad also loved my hm elderflower champers so got to make more this year.

Hoping oldstyle living/3kids, pta , kids social life and debt busting/extra income wont push me over edge of insanity this year.

life certainly feels like very busy challange this year but hoping set my sighs high, hard work we can do it all.

Cant wait to be free on debts not dreading the postie, not answering the 10phonecalls in one day, not having to scrape together change to buy essentials or pancing about emergancies/events as thats costs more money.

Wont miss banks talking to me in patronising tone like im a 5year old.

Anyway enough waffled must acheive something constructive today.

gailey_2

well had a weird debt busting day paid

£1755 off barclaycard thinking it be now at 0 only to realise its got added 46.99 charges/interest on top:(

Paid £150 so back within od limit:D

paid £974.42 off very so very pleased balance at 0 and got rid of their crappy 44percent interest rate:eek:
paid off overdraft no 2 at £500

need top pay off loan later.

gave hubby 500 to pay off his credit cards.

Thourght I would feel happy and exited today as making huge inroads into debts but just feel bit numb depressed that it goes so quickly and my heart says ohh you deserve a few treats but im being so blooming sensible.

Was going to buy new coat today but paying extra to barclaycard scuppered that idea.

once loans gone my debt remains at £1700od which would love to clear by xmas but will see.

Carshopping equally depressing with low budget but hoping if im patiant it will pay off and can talk them down in price.

Hopefully sold a few baby things this week so thats extra money.
still stressing over pram we not brought yet as definatly need a double.

Still knew feb be tight month its my eldest 5th birthday next week bless her and her party next sunday which seems to be costing much more than we intended.

Still least my youngest is cheap at moment she gets to wear all eldests old clothes.

Got yet another skincare voucher in boots today always feel stuck what to spend it on only so much skincare one needs.:)

finally updated credit on payg phone vodaphone freedom pack seemed good but very odd topped up 15quid and tried to ring automated bank balance and said dident have enough credit so need to ring vodaphone and ask why.

Non money wise another day morning sickness, rushed school run.
weathers not looking great nippy and windy looks like rain probably knowing my luck on school run this afternoon.

Havent done any housework today as been out.
not sure what to do for tea.

we still microwaveless until next week when mam brings one down miss it so much.

Did but new housephone as ours keeps dying in argos sale not sure if I forgot to swipe nectar card so gues should go back.

Got milk in lidls as at quid still cheapest after farmfoods.
sainsurys still have money off drynights for eldest so bulk brought sadly she wet the bed last night even sadder it was our bed so more washing to do.:(

Joys of being a mummy I suppose.

she came home with yet another expensive activity in her bookbag that they discussed in assembly.
This time its after school scinece club outside company 43pounds for 6weeek course:eek:

Friday expected to bake cakes for cake sale
and give her change to buy cakes.

school seem to think we made of money at times.

still need to do dreaded child shoe shopping.
cant put it off much longer.

hypno06

I can relate to the feeling numb after paying off the debt feeling - it is certainly how I used to feel after making any sort of additional, large payment.

Stick with it though - it is worth it in the end

gailey_2

Thanks hypno you had much more of a mountain to climb than me. Hope you enjoying your new debt free life, new home and taking it bit easier these days.

feel like been plugging away at debts for last 2years doing various challanges.
luckily surprise inheritance has allowed me to make some huge payments.
I can see some light at end of tunnel.:j

Just thourght I would feel more of a high.
seems scary having large amount in savings account then most of it going out same day.

paid 5grands worth of debts today:eek:

Maybe its because it doesnt seem real like on the news they talk about such huge figures I struggle to take it in.
I thourght I would feel estatic. not sure whats wrong with me.

Just got back from paying final debt my Hated Lloyds loan which only have as they took away my overdraft 2years ago with months notice:mad:its ended up costing me more but had 4years left and now im free on Loyds just have hassle of changing my tax credits to different bank before can shut down current account.

Also realised last night I need a new savings account at seperate bank from main as its seems barclays felt they could help themselves to some of my savings without asking last night it only cleared yesterday.

My only remaining debt is 1700 barclays.
At moment they not threatening to take it away.
Want to reduce it gradually this year down to 0well thats the plan:D

I know it be worth it wish could clear more of hubbys as hes 7500 on credit cards, 2700 od which seems huge and 15,000 left on loan.
We hoping his tax rebate will pay some of credit card and maybe he hits bonus this year as payrise was minimal. he cant find anything better and cant take on 2nd job.

Told him last night I fancy being a elf this year.
wondering how best to get a job as an elf:rotfl:

Just unlocked toiliet thankgod my eldest dident completly mess it up.

missed the rain but looks like its on the way.

Still got to go dreaded car shopping.So hard finding decent car on budget but ours on last legs and not big enough for family of 5.

find a decent double pram

organise aparty for 35 4-5year olds-that bits half done just food, partybags, cakes and decor left.

declutter and organise house once and for all.

So much I want to do if life fed up of debt and money holding us back trying to think positive.

beanielou

Mixed emotions for you then but it is great news on zapping so many of your debts in a oner

gailey_2

beanielou wrote: »

Mixed emotions for you then but it is great news on zapping so many of your debts in a oner

Yes am grateful and fortunate can pay off so much in one go.
just paid off smaller debts and payments before and been happy.
Think just doesnt seem real until get statements saying 0.

Least I can chill a bit more.

no dreading the postie

avoiding phonecalls.


planning a lovley day of housework and thinking should declutter and feng sui to try bring better finacial luck for the future.

going to try selling few things today.

gailey_2

Normally im quite a positive person but today just rubbish.:(
Hubby cant make midwifes appointment thats been planned for weeks been arranged for weeks and wont see him at alltoday.

had hectic week.

Threw huge 5th birthday partyfor eldests in village hall for 30kids was hard work.Spent more than intended so its beans on toast for rest of month now!

managed to find bargain double and won on ebay one less thing to worry about.

went car shopping and brought car,top end of budget but perfect for our needs.Its 100quid year cheaper on tax,cheper on insurance,diesil so more economical.Current car reckon needs 500quid of work done to it as 3windows broken,warning light faulty,needs new tyre ,has quite afew dents thanks to other idiots onroad who crash and drive off.was only offered500for ourcar managed to negociate 600 and free mats.did push for fulltank but he said no.find carshopping incredibly stressful and some salemen complete nightmare
Cheaper car mean more money to throw at debts and no getting into new debt due to costly repairs.

paidoff over 6grand debt this year and its only end of feb.:beer:

managed to convince agents that 72quid admin fee was unfair as landlord keeps us on1year tennancy so he can up rent.:D
hes upped the rent 20quid a month this time.
plans to up it next year.
worry we will have to move with 3kidsplus best start saving now.
as with admin fees,moving fees,2months rent and deposit its 2-3grand to move private rentals.
stressing me out a bit.:eek:

some good news andbad.

hubbys 1st tax rebate camethrough whih is going towards car.
but hes due 2more years which willgotowards credit card 1.
hoping by summer 1card be gone.:j

He rang scottish power lower our monthly and got 160quid refund.
I need to ring sky and see if can get cheaper.
hubby needs serious look at car/home insurance any savings extra towards debt and hopefullycashback for xmas

bad news well Lloyds tsb paid off loan settlement figure in full on9th.
got letter from collections saying im behind.
Thourghtit was crossover so rang collections.
cant find any trace of 900quid I paid.:mad:
Advised me to go back to branch.
spoke to branch manager cashier has put on wrong loan number.
was very old loan I had years ago least not anyone elses but that loan paid off 2004and says closed.
She promised me she sortit.
but still getting letters.
very annoyed to say the least.

Got 2ndhand bargain highchair for my mini houdini
nursury fees this month so extra expense luckily she lovesit.
Wanted her settled before new baby arrives in 6weeks time.

Ohh girls clubs were 100quid this month.school thourghtfully advertised a new club in assembly persuaded the kids then parents found out its quite pricey but its academic so felt pressured.

Still have stuff tosell.
still trying to declutter.
still need new storage,yesterday brought a cheap small plastic drawsfor eldests craft stuff,pens ect makes bedroom tidier.

went to asda living noticed they cheapon pullups but couldent carry them home on bus

trying to save for xmas this year.
in jan had 7pounds on sainsburys card and3quid co-op stamps but had to spend them as was skint.

now its march need to replenish so started with 2quid on asda xmascard.if I manage to save 97poundsthey give me 3quid free £144 then6pounds free so might aim for that.
Sainsburys wanted least 100quid plus nectar as september they have half price toy sale.
co-op was aiming for 50-100.
maybe save 50quid on marks as atreat.
just want to take stress out of xmas especially with 3kids.

Not sure if im too late for park?

want to setup salespiggy banktoo

Havent had the chance to get backintocomping got dishearted as nevr win but got nothing to lose.