making a debt free life for Poo!!!

girlatplay

List of challenges

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3708739

It is a sticky at the top of the Debt-Free Wannabe forum

mrskro

Just paid off another £6.50 to my Capital CC.

These amounts don't seem much but I actually do feel better even making the little payments. I had always thought if I could only save the money to make a full payment - now making little payments on the PAD forum really is making me feel like I am tackling something huge with each little step I take.

mrskro

check out my shiny new picture... this is how I plan to live now

mrskro

Ok, so after a pretty good start to my debt free journey, i feel like I've stalled, I haven't made a PAD yesterday or today and feel guilty.

On top of this it's half term and therefore little Poo is going to be home for a week, I also have my friends son Monday and Tuesday. My concern is what do I do with a 4 and 6 year old for 2 days. Poo is pretty good she wants to go to the library tomorrow but ask what she wants to do on Tuesday and she wants to go swimming or to Boomerang (a soft play area about 30 minute drive from me). All this costs money when I am trying to save it.

On top of all this we are having a Halloween Party this week (arranged before my LBM) and so I need to cater for 7 children and as many adults making it fun for all!!!

I'm open to ideas!!!!!

mrskro

Last week I sent off all my letters to the creditors asking that they hold interest and accept reduced payments. I have received several emails and texts reminding me that full payment is due in a few days!!! Even though I sent them letters.

However one of my creditors has sent me a letter accepting reduced payment. GOTHIA - they even sent me a standing order form as I requested. One down many more to go. I figure that once I can get the creditors 'on-side' (so to speak) I will then make minimum payments to them all and snowball at the same time (hope this is right - still new to tackling all this!!!)

THe fact that I have finally started to tackle my debts has had a profound effect on my home life - I'm not so wound up and have actually been able to knuckle down and get some study done - which is a good job really as I have 2 assignments due in the next month!!!! THe first one is due in 10 days:eek:

mrskro

Another phonecall from another creditor this time from Lowells, they are also allowing me to make the minimum payment I offered them. 2 down 5 more to go.

Once I have heard back from them all I will be start making the agreed payment sand then some extra using snowballing to these that don't freeze the interest - I'm expecting these to be the payday laons companies.

mrskro

I'm starting to feel like this forum really has become a diary so forgive the multiple post in a day and the often rambling monologue that I get started on - sometimes I just need to get it out there to stop thoughts running around inside getting more muddled. Until my LBM I don't think I had been honest with anyone about my debts least of myself.

I need to say a big thank you to those here who have not only taken the time to read my diary but also to comment and point me in the right directions.

I have an addictive personality and in the past have had all sorts of addictions that I have had to overcome one at a time, gambling, drinking, smoking each successfully (and before Poo came along) my one addiction that has crippled me but been my crutch in times of stress and anxiety has been spending.

I grew up listening to my parents say stupid things like 'there's no pockets in a shroud' and 'spend it while you can, you could be dead tomorrow'. That is all well and good however I am the one desperate to take my daughter on holiday whilst watching my folks and sisters take off around the globe 2 and 3 times a year -(though I am comforting myself with the knowledge that this isnt earned but most of the time on credit.)

My hope is that I will be debt free in a year (that's the plan anyway) and then next year I will save the money - every penny - to take my daughter to LA to meet her American cousins. I haven't been since '96 and there are loads more of us now!!!! I only have to save enough to pay for my flights (and of course all of the spending money - I'm never getting credit again unless it's a mortgage!) as Poo's Daddy and my parents are going to pay for her flights.

Well I think I've rambled on enough for now my apologies for anyone reading this and getting bored!!!!

girlatplay

I quite like reading people's rambles

My next goal is to take Little Miss Gap to LA for a holiday. We went to Florida in 2010 (before I was debt free however, I saved for it so didn't add to the debt, just feel guilty that I could/should have paid the debt off earlier with the holiday funds) and had an absolute ball! The target date for my challenge is July 2014.

Set your goals. Make them realistic so that they are achievable. Keep on plodding girl, you can do it!

mrskro

Hi All fellow DFW's and anyone else who wishes to read the ramblings of a freaky beak (Poo's latest name for me - I'm assuming she got it from Daddy!!!!)

Today was a strange old day but soo good in many ways. I have had another couple of letters from creditors agreeing to my minimum payments which has been a relief though they were the ones I expected to agree the terms as they are responsible companies in many ways - it's the pay day loans that i'm more worried about!!!

Last night Poo had her Halloween party - a big deal for a 4yr old girl who has never had a party at her house. I managed to pull it off within budget bearing in mind I had put a spread on for the parents as well. This had all been planned and invites out before I had my LBM therefore the party had to go ahead (try explaining DFW to a child- I have only to be told that Daddy can buy it!!!!!)

I have bought the car tax and the groceries... then I looked in the bank and could have cried when I realised that one of the PDL's had taken out the payment even after I wrote to them rescinding my continuous authority and offering a payment schedule!!!! Spoke to the bank not much I can do about it according to them.

I was so close to looking for a new PDL - I had even got to the application page when I suddenly realised that I don't need it. I have £30 in my pocket. I get £54 each week in benefits (tax credits) so I can still make all the payments I have set up but they will be made each week rather than on 1st of the month. Actually makes sense that I set up a weekly payment program.

Now all I need to do is set up the standing orders.

I have to admit to feeling a little proud of myself - I said NO to the bank offer of a small overdraft even though it might come in handy I know I would just end up using it and then having to pay that back as well. I stopped myself from making a stupid decision and I have HOPE!!!!!

WooHoo!!!!!

HeadAboveWater

Well done!! I'm proud of you too mrskro

And well done too on resisting the urge to take the seemingly 'easy' route of a PDL. You know it's not the path you want to go down!

:T