£16,152.47......to £0.00

MrsOptimistic

Hi there, i'm not new to these boards but am having to use a new username (won't go into the frustrating reasons :mad:) and thought why not start a fresh diary at the same time.

I feel as though I am on my last hurdle now and can see the end in sight re the debts. This will be a motivational, optimistic diary with updates on just about everything from money, lifestyle changes, future plans etc etc....you get the picture i'm sure.

So for the money bit.....debts outstanding are as follows....

1. 780.09
2. 845.89
3. 891.38
4.1520.37
5.1887.52
6.1933.70
7.2494.04
8.2849.81
9.2949.67

Total debts = 16,152.47

Prior to my updated balance, my debts were (when s#it hit fan so the speak) approx 64k. I believe i've done well to get this far

Some of these are bad debts, some normal and some on arrangements to pay. A number of them are on nil interest which is great as means I can clear them quicker. Or that's the aim.

Obviously my plan is to clear these asap through hard work, savvy spending and putting in that extra bit of effort all round.

I've found that for me to actually clear my debts I have to be organised in every other part of my life. If one area slips, then I feel out of balance, emotions come into play and I don't focus well. That's just me i'm afraid - hence this diary will be for everything.

I do have a lovely hubby that supports me in my quest. He does this by just being him. Paying extra towards house costs, holidays and treats etc etc freeing up my money to clear these debts. I would NEVER allow him to pay a debt as they were all prior to meeting him and i'm a proud/stubborn girl, lol.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. I want this last stage to be a positive and optimistic move towards the rest of my life and finally, some financial freedom.....it's been a long time coming!!

MrsOptimistic

So, how am I going to go about this last phase???

Firstly I will obviously continue to make my minimum payments be that contractual or arranged. On top of this I aim to save aside as much money as possible until such times as I have enough money to clear a debt in full (working from lowest balance to highest). Hopefully in turn this will see me debt free asap.

I am still on a journey with managing my money. I can say that I have learnt my lesson in having debt but sadly not on managing how I spend it. I still to this day think nothing of spending £5-10 in local shop on fizzy drink, magazine and chocolate :o:o So I do need to focus on my spending and managing of money day to day. I'm sure I could have been debt free by now if it wasn't for my random spends and blips :mad:

Hey ho, we live and learn as they say. I think from my next payday (15th April) I will go back to having weekly cash budget, no cash card in purse etc and see how that goes. I need to be thinking about what I am spending and why. I also need to forward plan for future events such as nights out, hair cuts, bdays, xmas.

I am in a very lucky situation in that I work from home most days and have regular overtime opportunities. I now need to use this to my advantage rather than moan that I am stuck in my house all day or working 7 days a week. It should be more like, i'm so lucky to not have a commute and the ability to earn extra money each month.... I know, i'm bad!

I have no work this weekend so I plan on using it wisely to take stock of everything. Get on top of the house, de-clutter and start to get organised.

Oh and the other thing I need to focus on is losing a bit of weight and exercise. I don't have much to lose, perhaps a stone at most but i'm rubbish and lose 3lbs put 3lbs on, lose another 3lbs and so the saga continues......

Right enough rambling from me. Am very excited about my new diary and the last leg to the finish line

ragstoricheswannabe

good luck on your last leg of your journey and a massive well done on getting here from where you were!!!!

Mizztasia

You've done amazing, well done!
M x

MrsOptimistic

Thank you guys. It's such an emotional roller coaster in becoming debt free you battle with everything. I feel guilty for having a holiday but then I look at some friends and they have 20-30k debt and don't batter an eye lid - guess everyone is different??

So today's little list.....
- strip bed (wash and dry)
- mini clean of house (paw prints all over the wooden floor!!)
- check banking
- enjoy some me time

Nothing major as it's my first day off in ages. Few bits to do but will take it easy......or at least I will try. Have a habit of not being able to sit still :rotfl:

nell36

Ahh well done - keep the good work up. Its very inspirational reading posts like this. I am sure you will get there - you're very determined. We all have little set backs in life, its how we handle those set backs that sets us apart from others. In my opnion you are doing marvellously well. Keep going.

Goldblend_2

Best of luck darling.....really wishing you all the strength there is to get through it. Give that hubby a squeeze just for being him xx

To quote

"I've found that for me to actually clear my debts I have to be organised in every other part of my life. If one area slips, then I feel out of balance, emotions come into play and I don't focus well "

Thanks for this maybe this is me too.. so I'm getting organised at home this weekend and due to my workload I doubt this will ever happen at work but i'll give it a go.

Dont punish yourself over the chocolate I am sure this is good for you ;-) in terms of releasing phenylethylamine (same brain chemical as falling in love )

MrsOptimistic

Goldblend wrote: »

Best of luck darling.....really wishing you all the strength there is to get through it. Give that hubby a squeeze just for being him xx

To quote

"I've found that for me to actually clear my debts I have to be organised in every other part of my life. If one area slips, then I feel out of balance, emotions come into play and I don't focus well "

Thanks for this maybe this is me too.. so I'm getting organised at home this weekend and due to my workload I doubt this will ever happen at work but i'll give it a go.

Dont punish yourself over the chocolate I am sure this is good for you ;-) in terms of releasing phenylethylamine (same brain chemical as falling in love )

Thanks lovely - perhaps that's why I am addicted to chocolate??!!! ;-)

I really think the more organised I can be in all aspects of life, then the better I will be all round. I think i'm a bit of an emotional spender which usually results in random spends when I feel out of control.

We'll get there - time, effort and thinking forward.....roll on a debt free life!!

xxx

MrsOptimistic

Note to self for areas of improvement.....

- regular daily routine when working from home
- food shopping - def more money to be saved here!
- petrol - stop using car for non essential journeys
- random spends - as massive aread for me!
- overtime - take as much as possible when available
- social events - forward plan/save/vouchers
- holidays - put small sums away rather than lump sums
- emergency fund - build a small amount

Just a few things for me to think about. Noting to self for further thought :-)

MrsOptimistic

What a lovely weekend I have had. First one in ages that I haven't worked. I managed to de-clutter and clean all of downstairs yesterday and relax a lot. Today was a nice dog walk with my hubby in local country park, stopping for a cuppa at the centre and then walking back to car (3hrs!) Then stopped off at the inlaws for afternoon lunch and now home relaxing again. I want me more of these weekends so mega debt busting has to commence!!

Aims for this week -

- spend no money on food Mon-Thurs
- check banking daily
- 20 mins exercise (minimum) daily
- keep de-cluttering and organising the house

Simple tasks I think and I will update daily so I keep on track.

Off to do some ironing for the week ahead and hang out another load of washing.....a womans work is never done......

MrsOptimistic

So far so good on the no spending. Not a penny left my purse or bank

Food wise been good, all from home...
breakfast - special k
lunch - mushroom omelette and a slice of toast.

Getting a bit peckish so think i'll pop and grab something to eat before I want something bigger like chocolate!

Exercise to be done this evening, although have done two dog walks today so that's 20mins walking done

Nothing else to report. Work busy and will prob be a late finish.