New and scared but so determined

freebyfifty

Thank you HappyToBe for taking the time to read and then reply.

It was scary to write it all down but it is better than I thought, I was fully expecting a negative sign

A spending diary is next on my list as well as meal planner for when I go shopping. I have planned to throw everything at my debts after Christmas and try to beat my six year deadline. I am sick of just meeting minimum payments and watching what I do pay being gobbled up by interest

Everyday will get me a little bit closer and I am closer today than I was yesterday (paid a bit of virgin cc this morning) so I'll just keep plodding on.

Today will be a NSD and if I manage it that will be 2 out of the 3 I am aiming for every week. Tonight I am going to check everything in my freezer/cupboards and write a meal planner for the next week and then a shopping list for the weekend then I'm checking Mr T and Mr A's website to look for the cheapest shop.

A new wave of determination has come over me :T

Happytogetdebtfree

When I had my lbm the amount was scarily high, it scared the bejesus out of me then of course pay rises and job changes for hubby meant we made a huge difference don't get me wrong it has been hard but I've never not been able to sleep, I don't look at any intrest I pay it all by direct debit I save up amounts for cards or loans and when I have enough to clear it I pay it off and close it a few days later :-)I work different I don't like to overpay into the black hole so I save up which I'm turn breathes positivity and then I clear and close again positivity:-) i am a big fan of the secret and I follow Memorygirls thread:-) x

Mrs_Good_Life

Hello freebyfifty :wave:
Just found you diary,will read lunchtime in work.Im also 43 and would love to be debt and mortgage free by fifty. Good luck.xx

mizmir

Well done for posting this. Do double check it though - there seem to be some things missing like water and road tax - are they really 0? Likewise entertainment - with 2 kids is that really 0? Hats off to you if it is but just checking you haven't overlooked anything. If it is right you have a good surplus for throwing at the debts - but don't be too austere - 6 years is a long time for no holidays or entertainment - set yourself a small budget for these - will help keep you sane!

You're making big steps in the right direction!

firesidemaid

hello!

been reading and following;).

a couple of thoughts re your SOA. where is your landline contract at ie. are you tied in etc?

i am with BT and knew it was due to end in sep, so i rang up and paid my line rental in advance to save money and also got them to knock a third of my bband - i asked what they could do for a loyal customer (rather than threatened to leave - new tactic of mine lol).

i also rang my energy provider,as i had done a search and found others could do it for £200 a year less (and i was paying what you are) and they had a different tariff available that will save me a very similar amount. so £30 saved per month in total by doing these too.

if you need to buy or switch anything, make sure you use a cashback site too.

also, as a motivational tool (not knowing what the aprs are) if you pay off next, choice and freemans you will have paid off 1/3 of your debtors:T not your debts exactly, but might make you feel a bit better:)x

freebyfifty

Thank you to everyone for replying and giving me some ideas.

Water - In Scotland your water rates are included in the cost of Council Tax.
Road Tax - Oops put that under car maintenance and MOT - I don't pay anything towards that because I have a fantastic Dad who has an account at the garage and pays it for me. I love my dad to bits.
Gas & Electric - Just waiting for my quarterly statements to come through and then I'm going to switch.
Phone - Tied in for 18 months. £30 includes ALL my calls anytime and my broadband.

I am paying Littlewoods off completely at the end of the month and then my next target will be Freemans. I can't wait to update my signature when L/Woods is gone and I get F/Mans on.

It's the weirdest feeling but somehow I feel clean????!!!!!! Does that make sense?

Happytogetdebtfree

It's always a great feeling clearing a little negative wealth and have one less thing on the monthly outgoing :-) keep up the good work xx

hillside777

Well done on posting the SOA.

You're doing very well on the NSD's.

I live in Scotland too. North East Scotland in the freezing cold and it's only October!

Keep up the good work.

mizmir

freebyfifty wrote: »

Thank you to everyone for replying and giving me some ideas.

Water - In Scotland your water rates are included in the cost of Council Tax.
Road Tax - Oops put that under car maintenance and MOT - I don't pay anything towards that because I have a fantastic Dad who has an account at the garage and pays it for me. I love my dad to bits.
Gas & Electric - Just waiting for my quarterly statements to come through and then I'm going to switch.
Phone - Tied in for 18 months. £30 includes ALL my calls anytime and my broadband.

I am paying Littlewoods off completely at the end of the month and then my next target will be Freemans. I can't wait to update my signature when L/Woods is gone and I get F/Mans on.

It's the weirdest feeling but somehow I feel clean????!!!!!! Does that make sense?

Brilliant! Makes perfect sense - you are taking control again. It is a great feeling.

[Deleted User]

Me to 43 and owe £27k, I have had my lbm this week, off to funeral today but, later, I am going to start going through house top to bottom, clear out for ebay, check what food is in, I know I can manage for at least 2 weeks , and only buy milk, bread , fruit and veg etc, gonna keep cutting coupons, and getting the freebies and surveys, and watch every single penny, I have a great charity shop nearly everything is under £3.00 , good designer names , so I might buy to sell on, and until I am debt free nothing brand new ever, I mean it, I want my life back, so I will join you on this thread, so lets keep it going and help each other, talk again tommorow:j