Tackling my Debt and Simplifying My Life

Fae

Hi GL,

I agree with you on targets, I set lots of little targets for myself over the month, and find it really helps I might not reach them all, but each one gets me a little bit closer to being debt free.
Good luck with the car selling.

Fae

Homemadehappiness

Hi just thought I'd pop by and say hello! Hope your car sells, we bought our current car off eBay xx

Homemadehappiness

Also can someone explain the overpayment target pls xx

[Deleted User]

Welcome rae, and thank you for posting!

HMH, I have been reading lots about everyones overpayment targets, it appears some people set for example an amount say £200 per month that they'll try to achieve by saving on grocery shopping bill or selling on eBay for example to pay off their debt. Others will pay £1 a day to a c company and say its surprising how much more quickly the debt goes down.

I think I might start with the £1 over payment to Barclaycard (largest APR) as I think its going to be difficult to save larger amounts on the run-up to Christmas.

Going to start on 1st Nov!!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend
GLx

[Deleted User]

Its been a few days since I've had time to sit down and write my diary, have had a good few days- most were NSDs or very little-spend-days.

DS went away with his friend and family for the weekend- we were planning or a car-boot sale but it got cancelled- hope to do one in a couple of weeks now.

Spend much of the weekend doing some jobs at parent house whilst DH fixed their falling down fence- kept us busy.

Got to go and get some sweets for trick or treaters tomorrow- have tried all day to get pumpkins for DS- no joy in any of the big supermarkets- I never learn to buy things like that earlier!!

Still no news on the house, no more viewings this week. Very much doubt if it'll sell before Christmas- its hard not to get frustrated but I have to stay positive and think debt is going down each month, so there'll be less to pay off when we finally sell (hopefully).

Still more de-cluttering and simplifying to do. Need to spend some time at weekend de-cluttering again- have been through the house twice over the past year but there are still things we dont use/need.

On the subject of simplifying, my schedule is the main thing I am working on at the moment. I hate to say no to anyone so often agree to things I dont want to do or have no time to do and spend the following few weeks stressed about it but I never learn.

I am really trying to say no to most invitations over next few months. not only will it save money but will help my stress levels- I sound mega boring dont I?

Hope everyone is well.

GLx

[Deleted User]

DH has just looked at account (we are about half way through our month), we are in a good position again- think we'll be able to overpay by £300- its amazing how much we have saved by me not taking debit cards out- I only keep £10 cash on me each day- it prevents all those thoughtless purchases.

Halloween has been lovely, the kids had a great time. DH is now taxi'ing them all home!

Ladybird.

All sounds really positive GL! Glad you had a fun Halloween, I didn't manage to find any pumpkins either! Useless.

£300 overpayment is brilliant. We perhaps need to start taking out cash rather than cards as I bet we could save too.

*hayley*

Just dropping by to say I read your diary and I really identify with a few things you said, particularly re:shopping and needing to "keep up". I've also opted to not go to my work Xmas do this year too. Will keep popping by

brizzledfw

Hi there GL..just spotted your diary and thought I'd pop in. Will subscribe as I can TOTALLY identify with the sense of trying to buy a lifestyle..good to see you're keeping up with fleabaying too.

I think one of the bet books about relationships with money and frugality ( or 'enoughness!' is Your Money or Your Life by Dominguez and Robin. old now but still fab. Wish I had followed their advice 10 years ago..:-(. )

Will pop back soon. Also have sugar addled kids to put to bed!

Brizzle

[Deleted User]

Thanks Hayley and Brizzled, more people than I thought identify with the pressure I felt under to keep up with the Joneses and 'buy' a perfect lifestyle- it does make me feel better because I did worry when I first started my diary that readers would think I was selfish and materialistic. I suppose to some degree I was, but I think most of the problem is down to low self-esteem and worrying about what people think of me.

I am really challenging that now by stepping outside the box and speaking up for myself, saying no to nights out etc that I dont really want to go on but worry about what people will think of me if I say no.

I now realize those people arent with me and DH late at night when we are worrying about debt and how to pay the bills- true friends will understand, those who dont arent worth worrying about.

Off to look at the book you recommended Brizzledfw, thanks for that!

Hope everyone has a great day!
GLx