Hoping to be DF by 29 and a real grown up.

Fudgefund

Hey

I've lurked on this forum for about a year, and decided the time is finally nigh for me to start my own diary. I was overcome with enthusiasm for clearing my debts at the time and it lasted about two months, before I slipped back into old ways. So, this time with the aid of a diary to keep me on track, I'm determined to pay everything off.

A bit about me - I'm 28, I work full time, no children or pets or cars. Up until recently I had been living on my own in a rented flat which was costing me £550 a month for just rent and Council Tax, earning about £1150 a month. A few days ago I moved in with my OH (after years of agonising about asking him!) to a new flat where rent and Council Tax should be £340 a month, giving me a lot more to pay to debts.

My debts are £3449 to Barclaycard - APR 24.9 and an £1950 overdraft - APR 14.9 (I think), also with Barclays. I've had the credit card since I was 18, and it's slowly crept up, when it hit £3650 this month I realised I had to do something (in my head it stops at £3000 for some reason!). I have nothing much to show for my debt - very depressing.

I've just had a payrise to £1250 (a few months ago I also stopped paying into my pension but I'll put that right as soon as I can) so my plan is to pay £500 every month, take £60 a week to live on in cash (I have no travel costs) and put anything saved into a jar. I'm hoping the remainder in my bank account will pay househould bills as I go. Hoping to post mainly about my NSD successes.

needingaccountability

Wishing you well, hope the diary works for you.

Hovel_lady

Hello and welcome! You're in the right place for help and support.
Good luck on your debt free journey x

Fudgefund

Thanks you two! Seeing someone respond has really perked me up. I've been off work sick today so I've achieved a rather dubious NSD there already.

Now just to work out how to update my signature and how to sell something on Ebay... I'm sure I'll get there.

Might be really adventurous and add a weight loss challenge too, It's amazing how many odd 50ps that could be in my change jar have gone to Mr Cadbury instead. Over the years I'd be well on my way to a house by now. :rotfl:

cassidy0111

Best of luck! Will follow and encourage!

Hovel_lady

Fudgefund wrote: »

Thanks you two! Seeing someone respond has really perked me up. I've been off work sick today so I've achieved a rather dubious NSD there already.

Now just to work out how to update my signature and how to sell something on Ebay... I'm sure I'll get there.

Might be really adventurous and add a weight loss challenge too, It's amazing how many odd 50ps that could be in my change jar have gone to Mr Cadbury instead. Over the years I'd be well on my way to a house by now. :rotfl:

A NSD is a NSD regardless of the reason so well done :j

needingaccountability

NSD for me too due to feeling poorly. Hope you better soon.

redsquirrel80

Hi, great to see you've got a diary! "after years of agonising about asking him!"... ooh I recognise this feeling

Best of luck with it all

Fudgefund

Aw, sorry to hear that NA, I'm back at work now so I've got to walk past all the shops again. Hope you feel better soon.

I shall follow you too Cassidy, but in a way that makes me sound less like a stalker.

Thanks for popping in Red Squirrel! It really is amazing how much more thinking time I have now I've made the move, time devoted to fine tuning my budgeting plans for the week. I like to have things to obsess over.

In other news - Orange Wednesday yesterday and my turn to pay and pick the film, so a budgeted for spend of £6.80. If we didn't have this deal in place, and OH paid all the time, it would be a never ending stream of action films, so it's money well spent. I haven't spent anything today though, and I've discovered that for the princely sum of £1.20 for three mini pots of houmous and 45p for 6 pitta breads in Tesco I have lunch for three days. It's also my idea of a gastronomic delight, which is handy.

I'm away for the weekend now, I've given myself a budget so fingers crossed everyone!

DorsetGirl_2

Not a fan of houmous but if it works for you it sounds like its a bargain.

Good luck with the debt-free journey

tilly2484

Lots of luck- will be following your diary too and we can spur each other on:D