The "Pay ALL your debt off by Xmas 2012" challenge - PART 3!!!

mf0u1098

Superheavy wrote: »

I'm disappointed to say that this isn't the first countdown to Christmas I've seen this week. Positive in one way as its closer to us all dealing with the debts, but depressing that this is probably it for summer.

To be fair I did start the countdown to Xmas 12 in November 11!!! :rotfl:

Superheavy

mf0u1098 wrote: »

To be fair I did start the countdown to Xmas 12 in November 11!!! :rotfl:

Hopefully there is more ho ho ho this year than in previous years! Presents may not quite bring in the season of good will, but extra money to buy beer may do!

mf0u1098

Superheavy wrote: »

Hopefully there is more ho ho ho this year than in previous years! Presents may not quite bring in the season of good will, but extra money to buy beer may do!

Especially when that beer is free from Tesco by being in the Christmas saver club!!! :beer:

mf0u1098

Credit-Crunched – wow, you really have been busy! Can’t believe you’ve sorted out Christmas, that’s great news and great budgeting! Jeez, what a fab weekend finding out you’d got that bonus!

Recurrent-Ostrich – so what did you decide to do with the money? Credit card or overdraft?

Ruthy1604 – did you finally manage to get some trousers for your DD? How are you doing trying to get under £5k this month?

Tinks14 – Well done on cancelling the Next catalogue, can’t believe they charge for it! Better in your pocket than theirs, I agree!

Malmol09 – WELL DONE for not touching your CC this year!!! Definitely a step forward and changing habits is the only way we are all going to change the way we view credit and debt in the future.

Poohspals – Almost 35% paid off, fabulous!!!

CW2 – Whoop Whoop, net effect by offsetting your savings is only £1.5 to go!!! I’m really impressed!

Nctmum – how are you doing?

Tirlittan – You’ve worked so hard to get so close to being debt free. I absolutely agree that you shouldn’t break your neck trying to pay it all off earlier than the 3 months. Have some fun (just not too much!)

His Missus – a lot of this challenge for me has been about trial and error with budgeting, finding ways to manage my money that works best for me. If we don’t manage to become debt free by Xmas 12 then I hope, at the very least, that we will all have learned to live within our means.

Vw campervan mum – have you been back to the kayaking club???

Lemonpopsicle – You are sooooo close!!! Have you managed to sort out the problem with paypal yet???

Mumof3plusoh – Glad you had a great holiday and even better by going in your parents caravan, must have saved quite a bit of money. Very MSE! Wow, you are a whisker away from 80% paid off!!!!!!!

Mrs Addicted to Spending – I’m sure you had some really fab adventures that your kids will brag about when they go back to school. You’ll have given them some really great memories!

Helen Pie – So have you thought more about what you want to do in your career so you can talk to your Managing Partner again? Big compliment though whatever you decide so well done!

Choclover – it’s so disheartening when you have unexpected spends that throw a curve ball to your plans. Don’t worry about the DF date, just keep plodding on and you’ll get there soon enough. It’s controlling the frivolous spends that’s the key which you’re doing brilliantly at! I bet Emily is getting big now?! How old is she now?

Canucksfan – glad you all enjoyed your holiday but not happy about the news of your OH’s job. Has he managed to find anything else yet just in case? How’s the pregnancy going?

Avogirly – Blimey! What a fab total already! Seems like you only started on here a couple of days ago and now you’re almost finished!!!

Mrso2b – Sounds like you’ve really been giving your finances an overhaul, wahoo! You’ll get there hun, don’t worry!

Fritterprincess – I bet you’re going to LOVE the time to yourself and I know you’ll achieve your two goals by Christmas! We’re with you every step of the way x

choclover

mf0u1098 wrote: »

Choclover – it’s so disheartening when you have unexpected spends that throw a curve ball to your plans. Don’t worry about the DF date, just keep plodding on and you’ll get there soon enough. It’s controlling the frivolous spends that’s the key which you’re doing brilliantly at! I bet Emily is getting big now?! How old is she now?

Jemma, she's 2 months now got her weighed yesterday and she's 11lb 13oz! She's getting a lot more settled and in a pattern and has been sleeping through the night for nearly a month She giggled for the first time yesterday which was really nice, but hasn't done it since.

I think I'll be lucky to get to 80% by xmas, but if that's the way it goes, that's the way it goes. We're definitely in a much better position than where we were back in January even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it!

fritterprincess

mf0u1098 wrote: »

Fritterprincess – I bet you’re going to LOVE the time to yourself and I know you’ll achieve your two goals by Christmas! We’re with you every step of the way x

Thanks Jemma! Part of me is really sad that both my babies are growing up so quickly, but must admit I can't wait to have some time to go out on my bike and perhaps join an exercise class. Oh and some sleep would be quite nice!
Hope all is well with you. I can't believe how much you have managed to pay off so far this year, what an amazing accomplishment!!xx

mumof3plusoh

lemonpopsicle wrote: »

Aww Spagbol, you've done amazingly well you've paid off TWELVE THOUSAND POUNDS in a few months, you and your family deserve a huge pat on the back. Just imagine where you would be if you hadn't joined this great thread. You need to dig in for the long haul, do extra bits of work, sell on fleabay, every £ helps and before you know it you will have chipped another chunk off. Keep your chin up petal, your name will be up there too

Spagbol £12k is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaantastic:T:T:T:T well done it is all going in the right direction. x

mumof3plusoh

kerri_dfw wrote: »

<sneaks in>
Sorry I've not been around since urmmm...June? Oh dear
Anyway, I hope you're not all cross at me and well done to all those that have kept up the effort

I'm now living in Cardiff after moving out of London quite rapidly following my housemate literally going mental. I've had to put down a rather large sum of money for a very nice rental flat in Cardiff (£2k gasp!), so I've been living off my credit card (although paying it off each month and using it). I've also had to increase my OD to £700 from £550, but that's better than the £1000 the bank offered.

I think I've been trying to keep to my DFW ways, I just bought myself a new sewing machine, but in less than an hours time my old sewing machine and my old overlocker are going to be fetching me over £100 between them, making my new one only £70ish (unless the prices increase between now and then, please, please, please do). Oh and I'm keeping an eye out on L1dl for their cu5helle offer of bog roll, because it's the cheapest I know of. Ooh and I'm an am4zon discount deals fiend, I love them and I buy them with my SB vouchers so I don't have to spend real money.

So I don't think I've done too badly......however, the next few months will be fleabaying like mad to clear down my debt and be deft free.

I have missed you all though xx

Yay you are back safe and sound. We have all missed you and were worried about you. You came back from Canada and we didn't hear anything from you. So glad you are ok. Welcome home x:T:beer:

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending

SpagBol wrote: »

Well done to everyone, I've just read through the last few pages and I can see some of you are tantalisingly close superheavy in particular I think, well done :j and lots at 70 or 80%: keep it up guys you are all doing so well. Well done for all the new and exciting ways of getting in money, you are all an inspiration.

I am feeling a bit down about debt busting at the moment. I know we've done really well at nearly £12k paid off :T but at 20% I know this is going to take 3 or 4 more years rather than the end of 2013 that I had hoped. The first 5 months went so well but the last 3 months together have been the equivalent pay-off rate of one of those first five months! :eek: I know it has been tough with family birthdays, holidays, extra childcare in school hols etc. but can't see it getting easier with more birthdays, Christmas, car MOT etc.

I am determined to do it in 2 years still but not as sure as I was before, it ain't over until the lady sings and all that but I am having a little wallow. A bit of introspection is a good thing I suppose and DH and I had a chat about it last night, he is going to do a bit of freelance work and I am going to do some more shifts in my 2nd job. I will also try and put a few bits on ebay today as I am off work.

Sorry to depress you all so early in the morning, I just needed to get it down. You are all so wonderful and keep me going thank you thank you :A:A

*hugs* - you've done so well to pay off £12K - that's a fantastic amount but I can see that it seems like it's taking forever so it's hard to keep going :eek:. At least you can get support from this thread :j.

kerri_dfw wrote: »

<sneaks in>
Sorry I've not been around since urmmm...June? Oh dear
Anyway, I hope you're not all cross at me and well done to all those that have kept up the effort

I'm now living in Cardiff after moving out of London quite rapidly following my housemate literally going mental. I've had to put down a rather large sum of money for a very nice rental flat in Cardiff (£2k gasp!), so I've been living off my credit card (although paying it off each month and using it). I've also had to increase my OD to £700 from £550, but that's better than the £1000 the bank offered.

I think I've been trying to keep to my DFW ways, I just bought myself a new sewing machine, but in less than an hours time my old sewing machine and my old overlocker are going to be fetching me over £100 between them, making my new one only £70ish (unless the prices increase between now and then, please, please, please do). Oh and I'm keeping an eye out on L1dl for their cu5helle offer of bog roll, because it's the cheapest I know of. Ooh and I'm an am4zon discount deals fiend, I love them and I buy them with my SB vouchers so I don't have to spend real money.

So I don't think I've done too badly......however, the next few months will be fleabaying like mad to clear down my debt and be deft free.

I have missed you all though xx

Hello Kerri - we've all been missing you. Glad you're OK and enjoying your new life in Cardiff :beer:.

fritterprincess wrote: »

Hello everyone! I haven't posted for ages but regularly lurk! Like many of you have said the last couple of months have been a bit of a disaster financially. After paying off nearly £5000 in six months it feels like its all come to a total standstill. I have been working hard doing lots of overtime but whatever I earn seems to be swallowed up on just living. The school holidays, kids birthdays, new TV and new mortgage arrangement fees have cleared me out!
September is going to be a new beginning for me as my daughter starts school full time, so after so many years of working stressful nightshifts as a midwife and coming home to look after the kids while my husband works, I am finally going to get a little time to myself. My ambitions for the year were to be debt free and a stone lighter by xmas 2012. I am determined to succeed with both!
Lovely to read posts from so many of the "old crew". Keep your chins up and keep chipping away at your debts. I quite agree with jakes mum, that it truly is a marathon and not a sprint. Xxxx

I know that feeling! I'm glad you will finally get some time to yourself - even though the kids are lovely, it's also nice to get a break from them too :rotfl:.

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending

"Mrs Addicted to Spending – I’m sure you had some really fab adventures that your kids will brag about when they go back to school. You’ll have given them some really great memories!"


Thanks Jemma - I'm not sure about the bragging bit but we did enjoy ourselves!