30 months to no debt - an Optimistic Journey

Skint_but_Optimistic

Month 30, Day 1

In my other diary, I was aspiring to be where I am now, initially. I needed some structure - some order, and some discipline.

Sometimes, I am too disciplined and it becomes almost self harming. However now, I am at the point where I have so many things in place, mechanisms for making money, mechanisms for saving money and I am even now thanks to dfw321, making my own washing powder.

I bulk buy, batch cook, grow my own, sell, snowball, even make logs for the fire from newspaper.. I need to, I am (still) doing the house up I was awarded, however we are now at the final push, and I am paying council tax and water rates on an empty house. This should be making me money! Once this is done I can pay even more to debt and I can make some real leaps forward. ( I need to go there every week even if its just having a sort!)

I am hoping for 30 day months, but if not so be it. My car is about to die, and I am not exactly well placed to get a new one.

I am also able to resist the offers of credit I am being bombarded with at the moment. These are not as good terms as I am currently on so its not worth taking them on, and despite the car issues Ive remained strong. Im pretty proud of myself for that.

I am also trying to up my income at work, applying for jobs the next grade up as they come up. I take advantage of any overtime on offer, although it is rare, and I also travel when I can for the travel time (paid of course).

I found out on Friday that work had failed to put me on target salary when I had been in post 18 months. This was a mistake. Ive been in this post over 5 years so I am owed back money and increments and all sorts! I am hoping it will give me a leg up and move me on a few months. Fingers crossed.

My current ebay sales are at 77 pounds. Half of this will be going to Vanquis as its the highest interest it will reap the greatest rewards. I would like to try and clear that by November if possible. The remainder will go to Capital one as that is the only one who has released a statement and that should cover the payment. To get rid of Amex, I am paying daily pennies and 300 pounds a month. Its not the highest interest but the persual of the debt is the most agressive and I need to safeguard my mental state! Theres nothing like not answering the phone as you are concerned at who might be ringing!

I like to do something which makes a difference every day. It helps me keep my motivation. It doesnt have to be financial - it could be making my paper logs, sorting the ebay out and digging my tatie patch (Potato City) - however I have to keep my head and stay focussed.


Ive three children, one has left home as shes 23, I have a 13 year old and a 3 year old. I like spacing things out....

Ive 2 dogs, 5 cats and we have a hamster and a spider. Life is busy, wonderful - a little crazy at times, but nontheless I wouldnt change it. Even having debt has given me an insight and a strength to make a change to my life which I can apply to so many other areas - tackling the garden, dealing with people, applying for new jobs, any situation which could initially appear daunting can be rationalised and put in perspective using the skills I have learned so far on this journey.


My next aspiration is to be debt free. Imagine a pay packet which wasnt immediately violated by payments to silly cards, and then swallowed up in interest. Thats what I am talking about.

mandz1

HAPPY NEW DIARY!!!


Good news that you will be getting some money back from work.
Hope the wash powder turns out good for you and saves you some pennies.

Good luck on the 30 months(or less)

Piquant_2

Fantastic happy new diary!! :T

You seem very organised. I'm hoping if I hang around here it may rub off on me

please-let-me-be-lucky

Happy new diary SBO Xx

prettyplease

Well you sound like you are on track! Good luck

Skint_but_Optimistic

Month 30, day 2 Hello everyone:) and thanks for coming round to visit me in my shiny new house. Thanks for the good luck wishes too, I need them! Feel free to hang about - I wish I was as organised as I seem - the children and animals and occasionally the husband do their best to create farcical its a knockoutesque hindering manouvres.

Ive paid the amazing sum of 82p off my Amex. Its closer to a pound than a penny I suppose. One lot of ebay is ending tonight, its currently at 77.29, so I am hoping the drunks and dancing girls turn up later on.

I made paper logs last night and I cleaned the kitchen and living room and lit the fire. I did the tiniest amount of ironing, I was appalled at myself, but was so tired I ended up tucked up in bed at 8.30pm. I had intended on watering the garden, but that didnt transpire.

Must have needed it - will hope for a better night tonight.

I will do a better update later on, hopefully mid ironing pile. Hopefully I can report an ebay jackpot! Just got to dash for a meeting now but wanted to check in. See you later :wave:!

Skint_but_Optimistic

Month 30, day 3. I didnt show up last night, I became embroiled in a battle to the death with a pile of ironing.

I did clear 50% of it in an embittered struggle and I still managed to avoid ironing many of my clothes so I am at work dressed in a somewhat eclectic mix, topped off with a longline waistcoat which is more apology than clothing.

It would probably be wise to plan to do a little more ironing again this evening, as heaven knows what I will turn up to work in tomorrow.

Ebay made over 100 pounds. The drunks and the dancing girls showed up and made their play. Some of them, however, forgot their wallets it seems, but an additional 48 pounds has been paid off things this morning so not all bad. Some of this money was owed to my bank account, as my budgets dont cover things like coal and food and my husband has asked me to do bits of shopping. In order to keep my account right I have to recoup that from ebay right now.

No news on my change of contracted hours, which is meant to be reducing in line with the business by half an hour a week, and no word on my salary. Grr. I want time and money!

Last nights entertainment included DS asking for some Angry Spiderman pants for his birthday. These apparently are available in Hebby eyes according to him (Sainsburys) I am sure that their range of disgruntled and aggreived superhero underwear is a massive seller.

However, when we looked at some googled spiderman pants (yes, we are that potty) there were some where an arm was raised and a clenched fist, in a jumping pose, which could pass as anger to a small boy. That was all I had time for and I must investigate further.


Ive watered the garden - and I also made more paper logs.

Packaging ebay today - hoping this weekend is another free listing frenzy!

Batchcooked coq au vin for tea. YUM!

Skint_but_Optimistic

Month 30, day 3 continued..

my DH has just had a call from an insurance company stating he should not have been sold his insurance in the first place as he would be unable to claim. Therefore they are refunding him all his payments. Thats 500 pounds to the good!

Hiddenidenity

Happy new diary

Hope you don't mind another follower xx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Ooh nice little refund there but :eek: to unenforceable insurance though! Xx

brizzledfw

Great..shiny new diary..and talk of Spider-Man pants on page 1 no less...must subscribe:rotfl::T