Post wedding debt plan

Pengwern

Well that was a roller coaster of a Christmas. My Nana died on Boxing Day and Christmas Day was spent by her bedside. I think she knew as we were all together as a family but it put lots of things into perspective. Everyone liked their gifts and we got lots of lovely presents. All wanted and very practical for the new flat. Washing machine is being delivered tomorrow and I am off to pick up some sale bargain curtains. Not managed to review the final finances but I think we are ok. Now just need to stay strong and keep normal spends to a minimum. But I do need a black dress so that will be allowed. Hope everyone else had a lovely Christmas.

We then just need to dive headlong into the new year of debt busting.

Pengwern

Just taken back some sale purchases that were not right for the flat. Feels good to realise your mistake and rectify it. Unfortunately I now need a black dress and I am just not in the mood to go clothes shopping. I am waiting in today for the washing machine. So will try to summon up the energy to paint another room while I wait. Husband is at work and DIY on your own is hard work. Flat is really coming together just need to make some blinds for the bedroom. Money saving is still on but I think any progress is down to my husband this month. Need to review my spreadsheet when I get home and see how we are doing. We also start paying our in laws back in jan, we have worked out we should finish that in 2 years. Any other cash saved will reduce that timescale.

Pengwern

Well a few more days have passed and I have not spent anything other than a food shop. Having a quiet new year as always we have never been into the big celebrations. Currently have a new dilemma, husband never gets time off in the season but with this new job he was promised a wee off in Jan, I would not believe it until it happened. We it has and wee have a week off in 3 weeks time. I should get the time as well, but the current issue is lack of funds. Do we stay at home and be good, or do we get some winter sun last minute and put back our debt free date by a few months. I know what most people on here would say and that we should stay home. I think I am of that opinion too, just need to convince the husband. A real shame as we have not had any time together outside of June for years.

Pengwern

What a day, roof is seriously leaking so I am in contact with insurers to get it fixed. Boiler was supposed to be fixed today but they did not show! Re booked for next week so another week with no heating! Also the flat we just brought has suffered from a water leak from the upstairs flat and the ceiling has come down. I only redecorated it a few weeks ago. Husband is trying to sort that problem out. Well that is three issues so hopefully that is all.

I have no idea how we will pay for the repairs if the insurance does not cover it all. Any ideas of a holiday are truly out of the window now.

Pengwern

The flat leak is still happening. They managed to locate one leak but the water is still coming through so another leak needs fixing. Insurance on the house has agreed to pay for the roof repairs minus the excess, roofer is booked but no date yet. He is going to call when free, I am third on his list. So hopefully not too long. Funeral is this week so I will be glad when that is over. It has been my first week back at work and that has gone ok so far.

I have £2 left of my food budget until 19th jan so that is into great. I think I will have to use some of my petrol money as I think I only need to fill up once more and there is enough for 2 tanks. Will try my very best not to use any more than the £2 but I think it is going to be very tight.

I have decided I need to give myself some sort of money allocation so I do not fel guilty when I buy something. I am going with £10/ week to start. If I don't use it then it will be sent to my savings. Just doing this on my budget planner has made me relax a lot more and now I do not feel guilty if I spend some money on me. Obviously if it is over £10 then I will need to save up!

MrsSmith2013

Hi pengwern,

Just catching up with diaries and thought I would catch up with you. So sorry to hear about your nan, thats sad any time, but always seems worse at Christmas time. Hope you are all doing okay.

Not good news about the leak and the boiler either, I hope your insurance pays out and gets it fixed for you.

Well done on taking the things back to the shops that didn't feel right - thats very mse! Its good to feel more in control. I like your idea of having "some" money to yourself each week. I keep thinking about that too but I haven't actually done it yet.

I guess with regards to the holiday, only you and your hubby can decide what is best for you guys.... sometimes I think the more you deny yourself things, the more you want them!

Chat soon!
Mrs S x

Pengwern

Thanks Mrs S for your posts. Funeral was on Friday so finally feel like I can grieve and move forward. One out of our 3 issues has been fixed today, so we now have a replacement pump in the boiler and hopefully this one will not leak oil. Plumber came to look at the flat issue but could not find a leak! Goodness knows where that is coming from but we now have 4 holes in the ceiling. Do not want to patch them up until the leak is located. Roof at home is still awaiting repair. Got the go ahead from the insurance company so that is great. The roofer is just very busy at the moment. He said this week perhaps wed or thurs so hopefully another job off the to do list by the end of the week.

Well the weekend was another good one. No non essential items brought, just a quick food shop for some essentials. Giving myself the weekly allowance really seems to have helped. And now I have some money to spend I do not want too! Ho weird is that. Going to move it to my savings. Really frustrated with the flat bills, the ct wants £300 in one go and the tv licience wants 6 months up front so £24.24 each month. This is really screwing with my budget, I also have had no response from Scottish power about the bill for gas and electric even though I contacted them before Christmas. Surely they would be grateful to know the new owners and want to set up some direct debit ASAP. So I am awaiting a big bill for that before the dd gets set up and started! So frustrating as until all the bills come in my budget is still based on estimates and I really want hard figures.

Pengwern

I have £170 in top cash back waiting to be paid. Why is it when you need it, the money takes forever to pay out. It is from the flat stuff so over 3 months now.

Husbands tax bill at the end of the month. We have the cash to pay, it just dents any savings we have by a lot! Small overpayments being made to the debt but no big changes.

Pengwern

Roofer is here and hopefully fixing the leak. However the oil leak that should have been fixed on Monday obviously is not sorted. I am awaiting the heating engineer to call me back. Let's hope they can come soon as oil really smells bad. Sometimes it feels like one step forward the two backwards.

Good news I had a small payout from top cash back yesterday so sent that straight to the cc. Rounded down the joint account and sent £1.99 to the cc as well. Let's hope my little payments start to add up, I have now paid more than the min monthly payment so that has to be good progress. Family loan will be paid at the end of the month with as much as we can spare. Roll on the weekend.

Pengwern

Not much to report roof saga continues so frustrating. Insurance people have not paid up yet which is really hurting financially. Only positive is that I really have no desire to spend money. Let's just hope the cheque arrives soon. Top cash back money is also still outstanding. Really need the money owing to help us out and for it to stop raining.