Determined diva's get outta debt diary!

Determined_diva

Happy Sunday!

So today I re assessed my budget and made my realistic debt free date.... It's April 2015!!!!!

When I set out on this journey I was so sure it was going to be December 2013 so it guts me to say its actually now April 2015.

I haven't paid my debts off first and live on the balance which meant that I have still been enjoying life like I have no care in the world

Luckily with a chat with NSK she gave me some good advice with the realistic DFD being one of them. Wow what a shock! I felt mixed emotions... Fear (for knowing it wouldn't be the date I wanted), heartbroken (that I can't achieve what I need when I wanted), anger ( letting myself down) but also hope. Hope because I'm still here trying to fight the debt. Hope because I have a great network on here, and hope - because I am going to achieve this and hope to beat my DFD :-)

I've separated mt debt repayments onto another bank account ( not a linked account either so can't keep transferring between accounts :-) ) and have cut the card up. Now I have no choice but to pay the debt back.

Even through this .. I still love life! I just know I can love it more being debt free!

So here's to the loooooong road to becoming debt free!!! 607 days to the start of my life.... But who's counting eh!!!
DDx

NinjaSavingKat

Hello honeybunch - I have found you! Foget what I PM'd you about saying to start a new diary - we will kick this one into gear - scream,shout and cheer until you reach the finish line and try and try to get this family member out of your house.

I honestly should have read your diary sooner to realise what you have to put up with in your little studio. You have been a nice / kind and caring person helping out a family member but now that it is clear she is not willing to help herself you need to get rid of her.

She is an adult. You are not her mother - you don't need to be doing what you are doing any more. She won't find her feet unless you kick her out - to put it bluntly.:o

You little home will be your haven for the forseeably debt busting future because you said yourself you want to save and the best way to do that is in fluffly pj's in front of the TV or with a good book - I truly honesly believe this is your time now and you are on the way up - however you need rid of the dead weight around your neck.

Having someone on the sofa for that long is taking the p*ss and she is clearly thinking you are a push over - time to stand up - tell her to go before the end of the month...(emergency housing) or at least give her until the end of September. But make it very clear she now has to go.

This is your house and your rules - she has had her fill of freebies ( tea bags / toilet roll etc all add up) and enough is enough.

How do you feel about advising her to go? Soon?... You seem so lovely DD but you need to start living for you and no one else.... be single minded and determined and live for yourself - at least for the next 20 months until your DFD. Then perhaps consider helping others. You first this time, evreyone else second!!

I have spoken...:rotfl:

Good Luck....


Tetly Teabags - drank at a rate of 4 per day per person according to nation reports = 240 teabags per month - with 30 days. The equates to 8640 teabags in the three years your "lodger" has been with you. Albeit I used to drink up to 8 a day so you could double everything if needs be. This has cost you £144 a year for you both. You have effectively paid £72 for her to drink your tea. This is not including milk and sugar...

Determined_diva

Today has been a great day!
I have had a SFD, haven't touched a drop of alcohol and I won woman of the year at slimming world!
DDx

NinjaSavingKat

This is a brilliant achievment... See you can do anything you want to!! How are you though - whats the news on the "family member" that won't leave..?.. Really hope you are budgetting okay and never going out .... it's a fun life this moneysaving...;-))))

Determined_diva

Well family member is still here! I am going to be fairer than I already have been and give them until christmas to get out. No excuses then that they dont have the deposit + 1 months rent.. start saving now and then you have it by christmas! I am then going to change the locks on 2nd January 2014 I have decided so that only I have the key. Drrastic measures but I need to regain my home back!

I am on holiday at the moment (was pre paid for inc. spending money prior to our chats so please dont all tell me off ha ha) its so lovely!

I have been good and eat out twice - the rest of the time I have been eating indoors to try save money (although i then have to buy everything from scratch) its worked out about just over £100 for the 2 weeks. I am dreading coming home though when I have to start worrying about money again... although it is making me more determined to get out of debt ASAP so I can enjoy this care free life everyday!
My new aim is May 2015 but really I wwant to work extra hard to do it by December 2014.
Love to all
DDx

Determined_diva

Hi diary

Just checking in!
Well I had my 3 week holiday and now ready to rock and roll debt wise.

Instead of transferring money int debt account and cutting card up, I've set my standing order for my debt higher now and calling them up tomorrow to explain my new payments. I am I creasing debt payments from £50pm to £500. I have just been squirrelling the £450 away on lifestyle to be honest whilst you lovely bunch have been debt busting.

On,y got myself to blame for being behind.

On the plus side I have my "lodger" going to it. I told them today to get their stuff and leave tonight. I basically loaned them my card to get out an agreed amount until this friday as was getting daily charges in bank and they took more than double without asking me, leaving me with £1.46.

Luckily all my bills are paid for this month and I now have the money back but it's not the point.

If I let this still carry on I'm more of a mug than I thought, so today I stood strong for the first time in my life and did the difficult choice of making them leave.

Onwards and upwards I suppose
DDx

Determined_diva

Question - is it better for me to do the honest thing and pay off my total debt, or save a lump and see if they would accept a full and final settlement?
Debt is £8k
DDx

abundant1972

Hey you!

I've been kind of caught up in my own rollercoaster... so sorry I haven't stopped by...

What a nightmare!!! What's the situation with your lodger? Have you got the place back to yourself yet?

Well done on looking at your debts again... I've had the same thoughts about paying debts vs saving lump sum and asking for settlement. In the end I've decided if I have a lump sum there I'm most likely going to spend it... Also - and this is just *my* philosophy and may not make any financial sense lol - I sort of believe in karma... I tell myself - I borrowed it and I'm going to pay back every penny. I don't want any hang over - I want to cut the ties and learn my lesson...

I'm lucky in that I've got all my debt repayments fixed at 0% interest so they're not increasing... If you are paying interest I would plough every penny you can spare into clearing them as you go along... saving - even in an ISA will produce tiny amounts of interest in comparison to how much interest they'd charge you...

I've had to adjust my DFD to the end of October 2014, so we can still make this crazy trip together next year!!!

My current plan:

1) Keep paying into work's pension
2) Clear debts by end of 2014
3) Save mortgage deposit by end of 2017
4) Buy whatever I can afford to get me on the ladder
5) Plough spare income into paying off house and pension

That could all change but hey. I'll be 45 in 2017 so I have 20 years to clear my mortgage before I retire! I'm going to have to get creative!!!

Money stuff aside... how are you? You staying afloat emotionally with everything? Sending you a 'cmon you can do this' and a hug!

Determined_diva

Hey abundant it's so great to hear from you!! I really hope you are keeping well - it sounds like you are!

I'm in exactly the same place as you it's uncanny! I fear I will spend the lump payment in my account and I also think its my debit should clear it if I can... I also like the psychology of seeing the debt go down. The only problem is I went to the dentist after 4 years today ( I absolutely hate them!!) and it's going to cost me £2,000!!!

Great just what I need!! Therefore I still haven't decided whether I up my payments and pay in full or try a settlement!

I am aiming for a deposit too - let's clear debt by end 2014 and then start on the deposit yeah??
DDx

abundant1972

Hello!!!

Arggggh that's not good... I guess your teeth are important - not a lot you can do there I guess, except pay. Is there a plan they can put you on... although I suppose that may work out even more...

You could try for settlement - I guess if they don't go for they don't... just pleeeeeeease if you save a lump sum and they don't go for it - pay it off your debt. It would be so tempting to see £X,000 in the bank and think I've not had a holiday/new wardrobe/_ _ _ _ (fill in blank!) for ages - and blow the lot. Parting with a couple of hundred a month is one thing - giving up a few thousand may be trickier...

Whatever... you are back!!! Even if getting your teeth puts you back a few months, I'll be waiting!!!

Let's do this!!! <again!> haha!!!