Debt Free by 2013 (not a typo)

Decadent_Debtor

Thanks Domino! You're right, no need for me to be worried about my credit rating at the moment so will call and cancel tomorrow.

As for utilities, water and phone/internet are fixed providers where I live, but I regularly check for gas and elec. My current supplier is technically cheapest but the service is terrible. I'm in a big dispute with them at the moment so fingers crossed might get some money off :-)

Thanks again for your comments, they really do spur me on if/when I feel down.

Decadent_Debtor

PS 4 pages yeh :-)

Money_mayhem

:hello:

Well done on all your debt busting efforts...your doing fabulously. :T

Keep up the good work.

Decadent_Debtor

Afternoon all!

So, I finally got round to looking at my Experian membership today. I ran a check of my credit score and couldn't believe that it came out at 998 (out of 1,000!). It seems so strange for me to be sat here worried about debt etc when I am the "model borrower", well, according to Experian. Just goes to show how easy it is to get into such a financial mess eh...?

Anyway, rant about the global economy over, they offered me another year at the reduced rate of £3.49 per month which I decided to take them up on. I can cancel at any time so seemed like a win-win for now. I am dreaming of the day when I look at my report and there is no debt on it!!!

In other news, my forecast of coming in under budget this month has been well and truly shattered. I needed more food, more gym stuff and a couple of other bits that mean I will likely end the month £20 off target. I do set myself quite hard targets though so overall I'm relatively happy.

Working from home this afternoon and seem to have spent much more time reviewing my finances than actually working. Oops! Oh well, I'm sure they owe me the odd afternoon off after all the hard work of late.

PinotGrigio41

Just wanted to say I'm still here and reading, sorry I've not posted.

I often find myself working on our finances rather than doing my real work it can become a bit addictive .

You are doing great though, well done.

Hope you have a few plans for the weekend x

caeler

Sounds like your still doing well. I set myself hard targets too but I think they are the best (like stretch ones at work!!). I've never had experian membership, just go with the statutory credit report which I must do soon to check I'm all set for a mortgage application at the end of the year. Maybe if your budget isn't working, then may take another look, cut yourself some slack?

Decadent_Debtor

Thanks Mrs PG and Caeler for the posts!

I've been a bit slack on the old diary front of late... so thought I would post a quick updated (although I am supposed to be 'working from home' today - oh well!).

Everything is still going well. I had a bit of a hectic (and slightly more expensive than I would have liked) Jubilee weekend but caught up with loads of old friends which was great. One of the biggest drawbacks of the MSE-friendly lifestyle has been that I've been a bit of a hermit, so I need to make sure I put more time and money aside to see friends. Cheapo meal and a few bottles of plonk at my place will hardly break the bank.

Not had chance to catch up on the diaries and see what everyone is saying about the great MSE sell-out, but for what it's worth I think Martin is a true inspiration and I say well done to him. The website itself and who owns or advertises on the website does not affect me one bit - it's the support I get from the forums that influences me, and I'm sure that will remain in plentiful supply... I hope :-)

Quick update on the signature. Hoping to have a blast on the Bcard soon and get it under £4k by the end of the year.

beanielou

Agree 100% on the Martin Lewis opinion.

Decadent_Debtor

D'oh!!! I've left it ages without posting AGAIN! I'm terrible at this, though I have been stopping in to check on the other diaries (Mrs PG - you know that I can't get enough haha).

So, quite a few things have happened recently that I should probably share with you all...

Best news, I got a mini-bonus at work which I had well and truly worked my @ss off for so was very happy about :-)

Other good news, I've also signed up to the latest share scheme at work. I know most people would focus on paying debts first, but my Barclaycard is at 0%, my loan is at 7.5% and the shares are at a 30% discount! So I think it's a bit of a no-brainer.

Bad news. I had my car in to get the air con fixed the other day and whilst under the bonnet they found some urgent things that need replacing ASAP. It's not the garage trying to rip me off either, I had a good look when I got home and they are right. Nothing too major, but will probably set me back at least £100. Oh well. Repairs are MUCH cheaper than taking out a loan to buy a new car... tempting as that is :-(

On to other news, I've decided to slow down a bit on the debt repayment front. It was just getting a bit unsustainable, and I was starting to obsess over it (not good!!!). I've managed to free up £1,000 which I'm going to spend on finishing the house off. I'm then going to set a lower minimum monthly target for paying off my Bcard and bundle whatever is left at the end of the month into my next payment. Feels more comfortable, and will stop me from beating myself up every month when I can't reach my targets.

Thoughts and opinions always welcome... not that I have ever had to ask in the past :-)

PinotGrigio41

I will be back to you with thoughts and opinions later Mr Dec, but its 4.22am and somethings tells me any thoughts coming from me at this god awful hour could be complete and utter carp !!!

Good to see you over on the diary the other week / day whichever it was ( see what I mean!!) Dont think we have many men over there other than you and Mr B , I think we may frighten them away sometimes with our utterly mad ramblings ! :rotfl:.

So pleased to hear about the mini bonus. Great that you were rewarded for all of your hard work.:T

Sorry for not dropping by for a while. Had a lot of situations to deal with, squirrels, birds etc that you may or may not have read about !!

I will be back xxx:D