Diary with an end.....31.12.12.....

Choc-addict

I really am rubbish at this diary business. I lurk and read others diaries so much but fail to keep up with mine or use it as intended

So, a reasonably good month all in all. Budget stuck to 99% of the time, however a few things come up that were unexpected such as poor little puddy cat has been poorly so a trip to vets which wasn't expected. Made me think a little about forward planning - and lack of it in my respect. Very hard too when all money is accounted for

Anyhow, can't dwell on things. Got to maintain a positive outlook about it all. We're doing really well on the wedding savings and don't envisage any debt being incurred to pay for it - really amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it

This weekend we are off out to look for wedding rings and also OH's suit hire - will be fun. Have lunch at a friends Sunday. Other than that it'll be cheap night in with a dvd (no take away!) and x-factor.

Off back to work and I will try to update this diary more often - keeps me on track!

Oh, nice bit of news in two more debt payments my totals will be sub 30k!!! Woo hoo!!! Now I know to some you may be thinking i'm mad but for me it's a huge milestone as now owe less than I earn in a year and also it's well over 50% of my debt been paid off since I first started out owing in region of 64k

Jules28

Hi Choc,

Just been catching up on your diary. That is fab news about being 2 payments away from sub 30K, what a feeling that will be!!

It also sounds like you're budgeting really well too and being able to pay for a wedding without incurring debt is a huge achievement.

I hope you had fun sorting the wedding stuff at the weekend, must be exciting getting things organised for it.

Jules x

Choc-addict

Jules28 wrote: »

Hi Choc,

Just been catching up on your diary. That is fab news about being 2 payments away from sub 30K, what a feeling that will be!!

It also sounds like you're budgeting really well too and being able to pay for a wedding without incurring debt is a huge achievement.

I hope you had fun sorting the wedding stuff at the weekend, must be exciting getting things organised for it.

Jules x

Hey Jules,

I know, I literally can not wait!!! Even though I know it's still a huge amount to owe its a massive milestone for me!! For me it seems/feels more managable - some will think i'm mad for writing that but compared to how I was feeling in 2007 about my debts it's a massive turn around.

I feel really proud of the both of us as we've managed to move and do up the house completely (apart from bathroom) without using any credit (obviously mortgage but I don't count that yet!) and we are saving as hard as poss and intend on not using any credit for our wedding too. Yes, we could have thrown the money at debts but then all we would have done is added to it along the way for the house - we've furnished and decorated it solely ourselves using money we have saved and overtime we've worked. I'm very chuffed!!!

I can't believe we're getting married in just over six months :j:j:j:j:j Weekend was fab, we've both seen a couple of rings we like but are going to keep looking about to ensure we get best for our money. OH tried on his suit, looked SO handsome! We've also ordered stationary to make our invites, very MSE - only likely to cost us £1.00 (ish) per invite. Said to OH I don't want to spend money on something that people will throw away. We're going for pocket fold type - simple to make and can add colour by putting a ribbon or something around it. It's def feeling more real now....be here before we know it what with Xmas and NY in between!!!!

Choc x

Jules28

Oh Choc that all sounds so exciting, getting arrangements in place for the wedding!

And you should be so proud and chuffed with yourselves for doing all you've done with the house and for the wedding without taking on any extra credit, plus reducing your debts so much. I think 30K is a massive milestone to achieve, I will be doing cartwheels when I get there lol.

Your invites sound great by the way, simple but with a wee splash of colour, lovely.

Jules x

Verbatim

Hi Choc,

Very impressive that you've got the house done up and the wedding under control without using credit.

As only one of your debts has a horrendous %, 24% if I remember correctly, are you over paying that one more than the others, ie snowballing so that the debts are paid asap and for the least cost to you in interest?
V

mellonicoley

Hi Choc

Just wanted to say good luck with your DFD journey. You have done amazingly well so far! Will be subscribing to your diary

Mel

Baldybear

Hello Choc, remember you from your old diary

We seem very similar, same age, I am thinking about getting married next year and doing lots of work to the house and of course that determination to clear these damm debts

Good luck with it all, it seems you are doing really well, especially with not accruing more with the house and wedding, well done, need to nick some of your willpower from somewhere

Choc-addict

Verbatim wrote: »

Hi Choc,

Very impressive that you've got the house done up and the wedding under control without using credit.

As only one of your debts has a horrendous %, 24% if I remember correctly, are you over paying that one more than the others, ie snowballing so that the debts are paid asap and for the least cost to you in interest?
V

Hi Verbatim,

Yes, I am trying to send small overpayments to Lloyds - that's the only one with high % - even though they are only small I am already noticing the difference

mellonicoley wrote: »

Hi Choc

Just wanted to say good luck with your DFD journey. You have done amazingly well so far! Will be subscribing to your diary

Mel

Thank you

Baldybear wrote: »

Hello Choc, remember you from your old diary

We seem very similar, same age, I am thinking about getting married next year and doing lots of work to the house and of course that determination to clear these damm debts

Good luck with it all, it seems you are doing really well, especially with not accruing more with the house and wedding, well done, need to nick some of your willpower from somewhere

Hey Baldybear....yes one of my many diaries Here's to this being the last one when I reach debt freedomness!!!!!

Strange I have willpower with some things but I have my vices.... chocolate....I have nooooooooo willpower with!

Choc-addict

Small to-do-list today....I was working in our London office yesterday and it always throws me off course a bit....not used to the travelling!

Anyhow....

• check online banking
• make small overpayment to big L cc.
• gym& then abs class this evening
• eat sensibly
• sort OH's football stuff (he's a busy day today)
• get me an early night

Simple stuff today - will update later on with my progress. Once bills come in for this month I shall update my with my totals again...spur myself and hopefully others on

Choc x

Jules28

Hi Choc,

I am very impressed at you going to the gym when you have a dead busy day. The OH and I started using the exercise bike again at the weekend and were nearly crippled on Monday hehe. But I am going to make a point of doing some again today, discipline is the key to success with this!

And well done on the over payment.

Jules x