Enjoying the journey to becoming debt free - paying back the credit cards

fedupandskint

Hi C - deffo made that decision about using the monthly payments when they're off to pay off some more debt - have noted it in my diary and book as a reminder.

Nothing much to report today apart from....
NSD 10
Posted eBay sales
Posted the ppi claim form for the final claims.

Half day tomorrow and then the afternoon at voluntary work training session the long day on Thursday and half day on Friday - yeah! Nearly there!

fedupandskint

Nice afternoon training session to increase skills - very helpful
Quick catch up with a friend at work this morning who is completing the dissertation and finding it as hard work as I did plus another person wanted to read it so I will send it out in a few weeks time.
Totted up food spends and almost spent it all somehow - so hardly any pennies left now - will stick to the freezer list so its just milk, cheap yoghurts and fruit to get in
NSD 11 today
No ebay bids yet - just a few watchers so fingers crossed some come in over the weekend
Long day at work tomorrow and then a half day on Friday with an afternoon off - yeah!

fedupandskint

Here are some plans for savings for when bank account is back in credit by the end of this year all being well.

Rainy day fund £25
10yr fund £25
Car tyre and parts fund £25
Household emergency fund £25

These amounts will be while I pay off my debts and then these amounts will increase in about one year's time. That's the plan and I have 2 accounts set up ready to go and will open one more as keeping everything tidily separate and named as I like is working tremendously well for my organised mind.

fedupandskint

What a surprise today that I can't quite believe.

I am shaking and almost weeping in the way that relief hits you when it's unexpected. I have had a PPI offer which will enable me to pay off my credit cards. Meaning I will be a lot better off each month 18mths earlier than expected. It's taken 12mths to get here and in that time I paid off half my credit card debt and closed 2 down. In 4 weeks time that phase of my life will be over at last. I can't believe it! I think all that hard work over the last year has really paid off and there's no way I'm going back to my previous lifestyle once credit card free.

That phase is almost completed and at an end and time to move onto the next phase - it will be new diary time once the cards are closed down - a long time before I thought it would be.

On another note it is NSD 13 today - also will be a NSD weekend too.

And on another note - quote proceeding for the door and also can afford a new window - very happy have saved up enough for a new door, window and 2 tyres - now that's a result

What a day, one I didn't expect to happen, that will relieve the pressure I didn't always notice as I am so used to it. It's going to take some time to get used to that.

fedupandskint

I've calmed down quite a bit now - took a good couple of hours though as it was such a shock!

Feeling much calmer now and when the money finally arrives its off into my savings account while I mull over what to do. Have sent back the acceptance letter too.

So far
Credit cards to repay in full
Some into holiday account
Some into house fund for the next new door next year
The rest into rainy day fund while I decide what to do next - decorate or something else

A nice quiet relaxing weekend in order while I plan and think things over and finally feel like I'm getting back to normal after that chest infection and all that uni work - certainly feel better and that was before the surprise today!

fedupandskint

Busy morning today
Long dog walk
Errand to collect new rear wiper blade out of car budget fund
Washing done and on the line
Cleaning done - LR, BR, bathroom, hoovered, floors mopped and bins emptied.

Very productive!

A nice afternoon off with another long dog walk then some clothes to swap around now autumn has arrived

fedupandskint

I realised today that when I originally joined this site the one thing I really wanted back then was to get out of debt and live a debt free life by the time I was 40. Although that wasn't my LBM by any means I still really wanted to achieve that.

The twists and turns of life went on and the credit cards remained just paying the minimum payment. Then the real LBM hit last year. After several attempts to change, I did change and then maintained that change. After 12mths of hard hard work paying debt off the universe has rewarded me with the funds to pay off the remaining credit cards.

The thing I remembered today is, I will have achieved what I wanted - to pay off those credit cards by the time I am 40. Well, it might come slightly after that point, and with some good fortune, but I'm not bothered as it was going to be about another 12mths until I got there without the help of the PPI compensation.

I won't be debt free with 2 loans outstanding but in a much much better financial position. In 12mths time I will have repaid one huge loan and will be in a position to see what to do about the final one - get a settlement figure and see what it the best option to repay it sooner.

It feels like a whole new phase of life is opening up in front of me, quite unexpected timing but certainly much hoped for.

Here are my thoughts for early next year for the next things to sort out. Blimey, a grown up attitude to money and finances at long last! The attitude I wanted for all those year, that used to keep my awake at night all those many years ago now, that impacted on my life in ways I didn't see at the time. Don't leave it, face up to it and it can be sorted out much quicker than you think. Even without the PPI help it would have been sorted out in 24mths in total. Now, would I have believed that before I started all of this? No! Just be brave, take that first step and progress happens.

New Year Financial Goals
Check out options for the final loan
Additional private pension to restart
Mortgage to overpay on and catch back up
Check credit rating in 6mths time
Keep bank account in credit (and a low overdraft just in case it's ever needed)

fedupandskint

A lovely day today spent with my gorgeous lovely friend. Had a good chat about biking which we both love and I made the decision to spend a bit of the compensation on a second hand road bike as a birthday present to me sticking to a very strict budget which if the repairs are needed he can do for me.Will be looking out for one once the money comes in and also be trying out some sizes too in the coming few weeks.

Ironing done today from the clothes swap around yesterday. Also sold 2 items on ebay and have parcelled them up ready to post. Makes a nice change having such a relaxing weekend - very enjoyable!

NSD 15

Chrysalis1976

Fantastic news about the credit cards and I'm pleased you are using a little bit on yourself, you sound really motivated and positive - long may it continue and good luck for the rest of your journey.

C x

fedupandskint

Thanks C - it will only be a little bit of the compensation and will be good to stick to a tight budget too.

NSD 16 today
Posted ebay sales using paypal money from the sales and also used the funds to pay the ebay fees.

Not much else to report today - off to prep tomorrow's tea as will be home late from uni when its the final day there for me to submit the poster in person then all is done!