Finally seeing the right track getting closer

MuffinTops

LondonGirl252 wrote: »

Hey

Shame about having to spend more but you deserve it and you should go and enjoy!!

I never used to talk about my finances with anyone until recently it got to the point where it was getting difficult not to as I've changed my lifestyle so much since being MSE. I used to. I need to talk myself down more as I agree to so much stuff until I look at the budget. sorry that was a bit of a hijack there!!

Thank you. I've decided I can offset that money on putting more things on internet sales, so I'm not feeling quite as bad as I did.

I've really changed my ways since being MSE too. In the past when I've tried to cut back and sort finances out I can get easily swayed by the years ahead and then with the little purchase here and there then the odd blowout it's all forgotten. But this diary and everyone on here just help keep you focussed and on track. When I'm having a low day I read a few diaries of people boosted by enthusiasm and it's contagious and makes me realise I love being in that state and up I get again.

No hijacking at all, you carry on!

MuffinTops

freebyfifty wrote: »

In my head (which is a scary place to be) there is a little gang of us, You, Me, Missus Knitty, Miggy, LT and Missus Dragon who pops in from time to time.
You have been the most supportive and inspiring virtual friends and together we will kick so debt busting a$$ :rotfl:

I like being part of the gang in your head, it's lovely to feel there's a place we can all go to where we're not judged or talked down to based on income and/or outgoings. I feel the same about the most supportive and inspiring virtual friends. Some of you show a purer friendship than my real friends . These debts are definitely in for the biggest a$$ whooping!

MuffinTops

toots82 wrote: »

hey hon,

its a pity its money u hadn't expected to spend.....but its not like you're missing a debt payment to go, you've got to live too and enjoy yourself. Plus when u come back all refreshed having had a great time u can think right, I've had my treat time to knuckle down again! I've got a hen weekend coming up first weekend in March, I'm planning to enjoy it but not be silly like I used to be....I went on a bridesmaid dress shopping day n spent £20 bringing my kids back pressies....WHY????????????????? LOL xxxxxxxxx

I like that thought about not missing a debt payment, thank you. I feel even better about the weekend away now. The hen weekend is something good to look forward to for you. Hopefully the weather will be a lot warmer for you too.

Gifts for your children when shopping? That's a lovely thing to do. Some habits are very hard to break, aren't they?

MuffinTops

Shelski wrote: »

Hi

Where can I find a link etc to do this please?

Hello Shelski,

The best place to find out shop and scan info is on this discussion >>> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/321950

MuffinTops

debtfree2015 wrote: »

You deserve a treat Muffin, you have worked hard, so make sure you enjoy it then itl be money well spent!

2 more payments to go on your CC is fantastic! - That will be a huge difference to your default debt or mortgage whatever it goes on! Well done :T

I'm so excited about getting the CC paid up and moving to the mortgage. I don't think I'll do much with the default debt other than let it tick along as it's on 0% interest and I do pay £150 a month already so I think I'll leave things as they are on that.

MuffinTops

This weekend has felt pretty productive. All of my financial documents are organised and filed away. No more bin bags of hidden bills around the house now. Knowing I had no nasty surprises waiting for me was really nice and made it a lot easier. I'm shocked at how long it took though, although I did lose focus for a while.

Clothes are on the top of my hit list now. I'm finding it easier to declutter categories rather than rooms right now so although I'm not on top of it 100% I do regain focus and I will stick with it.

I've also taken photos of some clothes and other larger items for the free listings on ebay. I came online to do my shop and scan, upload ebay items and update my diary so here I am. I've not added too much on ebay based on LondonGirl's great advice of staggering the auction ends otherwise I'll be here all day next weekend just wrapping and packing! So I'm doing up to 15 items at a time to stay organised.

I'm already noticing little gaps in the house where I've cleared things away. Nothing to shout about yet, but I'm getting there and seeing a small difference is a good motivation.

I've withdrawn my weekly budget and I have plenty of food to take to work with me so I'm hoping to have a few more spend free days. I should be able to manage 3 or 4 this week. I only need 3 more to negate my extra spends this month.

Now the weather should be improving I'm seriously considering cycling both ways for work again to give me free travel. Timings are the most difficult thing as I start work at 8am and as it's over 17 miles I need to make sure I leave plenty of time for any punctures and showering when I get to work which means I need to leave the house by 6am. I'm lucky that we have showers at work and I have a locker though so that's a massive bonus on what some people get in their London office. I may do it once or twice this week and see how I go.

This week I also want to put up another 10 books for sale on amazon. The ones I have on there are starting to sell at a steadyish pace, so it would be nice to have a steady amount of income from online selling to boost the payments or as a fall back emergency when needed.

Hmmm, I think when I finish on here that's my next job. I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. x

debtfree2015_2

Sounds like a good weekend.

Wow 17 miles :eek: I think my legs would fall off after 2 miles Im so unfit! Well done you!! Good luck if you start up again this week x

Makes sense to put it on the mortgage if your other debt is interest free. It will go down so quickly, you'll save so much interest :cool:

I need to get motivated with ebay again, my ebay drawer is over flowing, I just keep looking at it and putting it off....I have no excuse just complete laziness:)

miggy

How wonderful to be finding little gaps around the house... I will take that as inspiration that it can be done!

And well done for organising all the financial documentation.

chevalier

hi there
I have just read through your diary over the last day. Well done on taking the debt bull by the horns, so to speak.

Ref the debt that is in default. It is up to you, but if you have been paying it off slowly for a while, they might well accept a full and final settlement offer, so they get some money more quickly.

Ie if the debt is 5k then they might take 2.5k. It might be worth therefore delaying the OP on the mortgage in order to save a lump sum for this purpose.....
chev

MuffinTops

chevalier wrote: »

hi there
I have just read through your diary over the last day. Well done on taking the debt bull by the horns, so to speak.

Ref the debt that is in default. It is up to you, but if you have been paying it off slowly for a while, they might well accept a full and final settlement offer, so they get some money more quickly.

Ie if the debt is 5k then they might take 2.5k. It might be worth therefore delaying the OP on the mortgage in order to save a lump sum for this purpose.....
chev

That's perfect advice Chevalier, thank you. It is something I've been thinking of as any time I phone they are anxious to get rid of me, so I think if I save £2.5K like you say I can always offer that and see what they say (or a bit less in case they feel a need to negotiate!). That would save me more than I could saev in interest payments on the mortgage.

Thank you for taking the time to read my diary.