Last dash for the finish line

[Deleted User]

I thought I'd try a diary as I enjoy reading other diaries here. I've heard some really inspiring and brave stories.

My debt currently stands at £5098 on a 0% card. I'm aiming to pay it off by Feb 2014 but with a push may do this by Christmas. I'm lucky in that I have a good salary but I've had to get better at budgeting. I've always had debt but its never seemed a problem as I've had relatively good income to support it.

Now that I'm 10 years to retirement and newly single, I want to ditch the debt forever. Then I can get rid of my mortgage.

I have been doing the Pay debt by Xmas challenge, some unexpected spending put my balance up again. However, I am now determined to pay as I go and stop using my card. I've got a separate card at 6.9% that I use for purchases so never use the 0% one.

Today I have cancelled my iPhone contract which ends in a few weeks and gone SIM only. A saving of about £30 per month from July. Ive also resolved to stop buying chocolate every day. I already meal plan and have a set amount for pocket money each week.

I intend to update my diary as I go along. Drop in and say hello if you wañt and ill put the kettle on. No chocolate though!

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Sounds like a good plan.
Just wishing you all the best with your goal.
Mine's redbush tea.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Mrs BB. I'll nip to the shop and get the red bush in!

[Deleted User]

Just counted my small change jar - £15.50 to pay off the card this week. I've also decided that if there is anything left from my £45 weekly food budget, I'll pay that amount off each week too. Every little helps as they say!

timetogrowup89

Good Luck!!

Im aiming to be debt free by christmas too!! I make lots of payments throughout the month when I feel I have been good, like when I resist buying chocolate and a magazine or take my lunch to work.. I see that as a saving and pay an extra £10 on my card.

Every little certainly does help at the end of month totals..

Keep us posted

[Deleted User]

Thank you Time to. I've been taking lunch to work for a while so its a good habit now. I'm going to be making small payments too!

Jonesy88

Just dropping in to say good luck. DF by Christmas sounds ace

I too, am attempting to resist the call of the chocolate bar...

[Deleted User]

Well I failed miserably today in my quest to avoid the daily chocolate. I went for diesel before I'd had lunch so was feeling hungry and I fell for the choc display near the till.

On a positive note apart from that I achieved a NSD.

I took my lunch to work and dinner tonight is from the meal plan.
Am still mad at myself for the chocolate weakness though!!

[Deleted User]

Payday today so I've moved money around and paid some bills. My budget is looking sensible and I'm looking forward to the challenges I've set myself. All I need is willpower and a bit of determination and I will crack this debt!

[Deleted User]

I haven't posted for a few days. I'm feeling a bit down just now. My decree absolute will be final in the next few days. It's a positive move for me as I was unhappy in the relationship bût it's a failure nonetheless. I'm wondering how I'll deal with moving towards my late fifties as a single person. I don't have many friends that are available for evenings and weekends out. I do like my own company and have even been abroad on my own for a weeks holiday this year. But I want some social time and there are no groups locally for my age group.

Twentytwothousand

Anyone would feel a bit down in that scenario - it's a new beginning not an ending. Good luck!