Looking for the silver lining

Sun_Addict

Thank you all

Inspired by other diaries and the fact that I've had some success in the past with 100 day challenges, I've decided to set myself a 100 day challenge starting today and finishing 25 November. However, as I lose interest in challenges after a few days I've decided to break it down into 10 sets of 10 day mini challenges. Each mini challenge will consist of me paying 10% of the total debt off and losing just 1lb. The 10% paying off thing is a bit scary but I like the idea that I could well be debt free by the end of November. Was hoping to be by Christmas but it would be fab to bring the date forward. BUT I've added to the challenge by totalling up everything that can, at today's date, be classed as credit card debt. This means I've counted in all outstanding balances on all my cards including the spending ones that get paid off on payday. So very scarily I've now added to my debt total. So this is what it looks like:

Tesco Card £552.43
M&S card £34.00
Debenhams £42.00
Barclaycard £350.00
Halifax £1795.00

Total £2773.43

The top 3 have to be paid off at the end of August so these cards will be concentrated on first. This totals £628.43. Anything else paid for on the Tesco card (which I use for general spending) has to be paid off straightaway. So I've got to be good now.

So over the next 100 days I want to be debt free and 10lbs lighter.

So the first 10 day challenge is to pay off £277.34 by 27 August. This might be tough seeing as how payday is not until 29 August. I also need to lose just one measly pound in weight by then - which again is no mean feat due to my pesky birthday celebrations getting in the way. I have a plan - the £100 refund from nPower can be the first bit and then with a bit of ducking and diving in my bank, shaving off bits here and there, spending a bit less, etc I might just be able to scrape together the other £177.34.

I feel all enthusiastic today which is how I normally am at the start of a challenge until about day 3 when I lose the plot. That's why I've broken it down into smaller chunks.

Now I bet you all think I've gone mad. I'm going to succeed because I'm crazy enough to think I can (this is a quote I've seen on FB by the way. I really want to do it this time.

Buffythedebtslayer

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh that is so freaky! Go and read my diary!


Not that I am planning to be debt free - that is an impressive thought, WOW. and I do like the 10 days idea.....


Go Sun Addict Go Sun Addict!!


XXX

aartisuk

Go you! What an impressive goal, here to watch and support you with much much interest

beanielou

What a fantastic idea

please-let-me-be-lucky

Cheering you on from the sidelines! I'm sure you'll do it.

Good luck Xx

Sun_Addict

Thanks for the encouragement, I can't let you all down now!

Day 1 has gone well, as day ones always do. Have spent £9.69 on groceries and £1.35 on a coffee at work so today's total spend is £11.04. Cash only no cards. Only got about £2 to last until Wednesday so tomorrow will have to be a low spend day. Walked to work and back, did 20481 steps plus 2 rounds of my 7 minute workout app. Stuck to WW points.

Tomorrow is another day. Day 2 in fact.

Buffythedebtslayer

thank you for the encouragement!


In fact I am just going to update my day one!
Like I said I am sure we can do this!!
XXX

Sun_Addict

Yes Buffy we can do this together as our challenges run for the same day and finish on the same day. No slacking at the back now!

Day 2 and the nPower rebate of £100.37 has landed in my account so the whole lot has been sent to my Tesco card which has to be cleared by the end of the month. So on day 2 my totals are:

Tesco Card £452.06
M&S card £34.00
Debenhams £42.00
Barclaycard £350.00
Halifax £1795.00

Total £2673.06

Mini 10 day challenge is £100.37 paid out of £277.35 so I have £176.98 to pay off by 27 August. Another £20 should be able to be paid off tomorrow with the possibility of the remainder being paid off after the weekend when I know what I've spent on my birthday.
I've got a "birthday fund" and hopefully there'll be a fair bit left over.

Still determined.

beanielou

Great start :j

Sun_Addict

Ended drawing £20 out of bank today as needed a few bits. Spent £11.05 in Mr S and £1.35 on coffee at work so total spend £12.40. Not the very low spend day I predicted but the stuff I bought today I would've picked up later in the week anyway.

Stuck to my points, walked 16715 steps and did two rounds of 7 minute workout app.

So at the end of Day 2 still on track. Now for Day 3.....