Hi all - Report card says 'must do better'

Barebear

Another update, almost six months since my last post.

I did spend three hundred pounds too much at Christmas (well £300 over the amount I had budgeted), but I was still in control and knew where each penny was going, and I could afford it. I did panic a wee bit about that, but just by being in control and being able to see what I had coming in and going out, I was able to relax, enjoy spending it and know that I was continuing to reduce the debt.

My total outstanding balance is £6300 at the moment. Last month was the first time in a long long time that I had over £100 left on the day I got paid!!! So I dropped it towards a credit card debt!!! :-)

I've closed another account since my last post too! So that's two paid off since I started.

Barebear

I just read through the thread from the start and I can see what an idiot I've been. But now I'm at the £5k level of unsecured debt (£1500 of which is student loan). Looking very positive.

I have gone through massive changes since the start. Eventually got rid of the ex and I'm happy to say I have found a wonderful person who has moved in with me (she's mighty impressed with my domestic budget skills!!!). I got myself a degree on the OU and a new job with much higher earning potential! I feel like a new man. But it has taken a few years of hard work, but there is a serious light shining at the end of this long long tunnel.

My 18 month target looks like being missed though. My snowball tells me I've got another 10 months to go.

Barebear

Yet another loan account CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!

:beer:

Just repaid my Halifax loan in full - yee-haw :T


Also rejigged the repayment plan and I will be down to £1K by March 2012.

eyeopener2

Well done Bear, this whole thread is a must read for DFW.

banwa

Tis a fantastic thread :T

Well done

Barebear

Thanks folks.

Make no mistake, getting organised and out of debt is no easy task.

Hope I have the plan to free up over £500 per month after March.

Barebear

Still on track to clear the debt by March 2012. Ive stuck to the ambitious plan two months in a row now. Christmas will be a test, but the budget is there so no reason to fall off the wagon in December.

The end is nigh!!!!!! :-)

sugarcube84

must be a great feeling, im just at the start of my DFW journey and have big year next year ( hubby is going to uni) so at the moment our DFD is TBC but we have made lots of savings so far and started to make an effort to increase our income (surveys/ebaying etc) so hopefully we will start to make a dent soon.

Barebear

Well, Folks!

I DID IT - YEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! :j:j:j

I've worked hard over the past few years to destroy my debt and the last six months, as you might have read, I had an aggressive plan to clear it all by the end of March. With a minor blip in January, I am sooooo happy to say I have met my target. :T

I have to say that this site, the DFWB's with their own stories on this board and everyone who has contributed to my journey from the start, has been a great support and inspiration. I could not have done it so quickly without that help. My financial education has been such a steep learning curve, I just wish I had learned all this sooner and hadn't got into this mess in the first place.

Thank you

BB

:D:D:D :money:

missrlr

Go you ! Well done, so nice to hear success stories to remind us we can find the end of the tunnel