Determined diva's get outta debt diary!

Determined_diva

Checking in to say my current debt stands at £18,044.28

Not much looks like it has changed since the last time but that will be because I added £2k of debt onto the previous debt for sofas - so I have been paying off (honest!) Now I need to continue this. I went on a lovely date the other day and I want it to go well (or if he doesn't reciprocate then with someone else I guess) but it made me think that I need to get out of this debt and quickly - it is embarrassing being so deep in debt so need to hide it and quietly squirrel away at it before I get into a serious relationship where finances are discussed!

DDx

Determined_diva

So the date blew me out , however I am keen to crack on and get the debt reduced and cleared ASAP for my own sanity.The long term goal of having no debt and savings is only something I can dream of right now.

I am so annoyed that I am here 6 years later still in debt and with no focus.I am also bored of myself coming on here and moaning about me not doing much about the debt.

So.. I have a new POA. I have worked out when all my debts are due and also my pay days and pay them first before anything else (at the moment I do it in line with the debt pay day but it means I leave my self on the bread line as I go out socialising and buying alcohol for home (in large quantities) before paying my savings and debt before it.

My next official pay day is on the 28th (I work all over the place so I have several pay dates -this also hinders me as I can't pay all my debts in one go, which then means late payment charges etc)

My current debt stands at £18,163.81 :-(
I just need to keep chipping away at it so I can start to see the end goal and I am focussing on £5k increments so in this case, my new goal is £15k and I want to achieve that by December 2018 latest. All of these amounts include the interest that is being added on monthly too.. also known as "real time debt" in my own words.

DDx

Determined_diva

I'm back!

A long time off but a LOT going on and I do not know where to start.

I am redoing my budget tonight to see what I need to cut back on as conscious I have not done what I need to do to stay with DFD of July 2019.

I have started a new relationship which is good but I really want to get rid of the debt now. Wish I had the power and drive of Ninja Saving Kat!

DDx

Determined_diva

Review of October-December 2018

This has been jam packed work wise and very stressful trying to figure out my financials, where I need to get to and how I am going to get there.
I have also slacked with my debt repayments - I got too used to living the life I want. I need to be able to keep focussed and think one year of pain is a lifetime of gain!


Best Financial Decision
- Starting to take lunch into work. It has helped so much already
- Starting to embrace tracking via YNAB
- The Miracle Morning


Worst Financial Decision
- Spending too much on lunches at work
- Not sticking to my food budget - spent too much which ended up getting wasted due to going off!
- Too much spent on alcohol


Priorities and focus for October-December
- Clear Barclaycard completely


Specific Changes For October-December
- Keep tracking religiously on YNAB
- Be more regimental and stick to my budgets I have set for the year
- Less drinking. put that money towards the debt
- Take breakfast and lunch to work – the cost of eating out is extortionate
- Cut down on socials with work


Specific Goals For October-December
- Clear Barclaycard
- Emergency Savings to hit £500 (goal is £1k as a starting one)

Determined_diva

Review of Jan-Mar 2019

This first quarter has been jam packed work wise and very stressful trying to figure out my financials, where I need to get to and how I am going to get there.
I have also slacked with my debt repayments - I got too used to living the life I want. I need to be able to keep focussed and think one year of pain is a lifetime of gain!


Best Financial Decision
- Picking up extra work
- Not missing any payments

Worst Financial Decision
- Spending too much on lunches at work
- Not sticking to my food budget - spent too much which ended up getting wasted due to going off!
- Too much spent on alcohol - both at home and with work colleagues
- Not bringing packed lunches

Priorities and focus for April-June
- Work on clearing Barclaycard (£1433 as of 21.05.19)
- Consciously not drinking as much
- Cooking packed lunches for work
- Track via YNAB every single time


Specific Changes For April-June

- Keep tracking religiously on YNAB
- Be more regimental and stick to my budgets I have set for the year
- Less drinking. put that money towards the debt
- Take breakfast and lunch to work – the cost of eating out is extortionate

Specific Goals For April-June
- Emergency fund set up
- Reduce Barclaycard down

Determined_diva

Today I feel so positive and determined to clear everything I have to pay back and just work myself as much as I can to pay this debt off.

I worked out to be debt free by end November, I would need to pay back £2500 per month. This is touch and go whether it is doable or not as my income is variable, however I will work as closely as possible to it, so it takes the payment months shorter than they would be if I spent less money per month

Can't wait to get stuck back in!

DDx

Determined_diva

I am so fed up with myself for being in debt ad have bee reading through old posts. If I just did what I set out to do, I would be completely debt free next month.

What a shame that I didn't stick to it. I did what I always do - make promises to myself that I do not keep. Why on earth do I keep procrastinating with every last thing that I do.

Well here I am now, and I need to keep pushing forwards and get over the setbacks ad obstacles that I have encountered so far.

What could I do better? The usual I guess - no alcohol, not going out with work mates, take lunch to work.
Those 3 changes would make a HUGE difference

What I am happy about though is that I am under £15k of debt now. Got to keep pushing it through.
My goal for the end of the month is still £500 emergency fund and to also get under £14k of debt (means I need to pay off £855 to get under it)

Keep the momentum and drive up DD.. you can and you will do this!

DDx

Determined_diva

Just logging in to state that I have been paying down the debt and pleased that I have done so.

Will log in fully at the weekend

DDx

Determined_diva

Review of 2019

This year has been jam packed work wise and very stressful trying to figure out my financials, where I need to get to and how I am going to get there.
I have also slacked with my debt repayments - I am still too used to living the life I want and not the reality that I am in debt right now.

I need to be able to keep focussed and think one year of pain is a lifetime of gain!


Best Financial Decision
- Starting to take lunch into work - it helped a lot, however I have not been consistant with it
- Cutting up my Barclay card so that I am unable to spend on it
- Not missing any payments
- Starting to embrace tracking via YNAB
-


Worst Financial Decision
- Spending too much on lunches at work
- Not sticking to my food budget - spent too much which ended up getting wasted due to going off!
-Too much spent on alcohol
-Too much careless spending which would have got me here in the first place
- Treating people who do not deserve my kindness

Priorities and focus for 2020
- Clear debt completely (£10,118.05 as of 31.12.2019)
-Sort my timetable out once and for all so that I know how much I earn and where I could do more work to pay off debt quicker.


Specific Changes For Jan-Mar 2020

- Keep tracking religiously on YNAB
- Be more regimental and stick to my budgets I have set for the year
- Less drinking. put that money towards the debt
- Take breakfast and lunch to work – the cost of eating out is extortionate
- Clear out and sell what I am able to


Specific Goals For Jan- Mar 2020
- Clear car (£674.40)
- Clear Next (£574.28)
- Reduce Capital One to £1k (Currently £1,755.43 as of 31.12.19)
- Reduce Tesco to £1.5k (Currently £2,361.00 as of 31.12.19)

Determined_diva

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
I have FINALLY paid off my car!!! I now own it outright and save myself £300.00 that I can put towards other debts!!! I am so happy and excited that one debt is finally off the list!!!
I could have cleared Next this month too, but my washing machine broke so I needed to buy another one (£369.00) so will need to pay Next off at the end of April when it is my next pay day ;-)
Still super excited that one debt is finally done and less to think about!!!
DDx