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Life gets in the way...

Hello

I have been a long time lurker and have just recently joined to hopefully give myself the motivation and focus needed to clear just over £10k debts. I have to be clear that this is not the highest my debts have been but I think had I have found this site sooner I may have been debt free by now :(

Oh well, onwards and upwards, I have come quite a way since posting my very first thread and I thought that as I now visit this site every day and make inroads to becoming debt-free I would start my own diary.

A bit about me then; I have been married a few years now and hubby is about to start work after finishing at university. No children, 1 dog, 2 cars and a mortgage.

I have already posted my incomings/outgoings on my very first thread so I would rather keep this as my diary to debt freedom!

So, today... Today has not been a bad day, didn't bring lunch so had a £1 pre-packed from the supermarket.

I placed my 'Payment a Day' to Santander this morning of £5.10 by rounding down the bank balance. - so far this month I have paid them more by PADding than I paid as a monthly payment. This card has the highest APR so tackling this first.

Dinner tonight will be from store-cupboards, something quick and easy I think as Monday's always take their toll!

I'd like to finish this very first post by saying that I have never been on a forum where there is so much support and advice available, this is a fantastic place to help people reach their DFD :)

LittleMissDetermined x

Last time I tried to post this it appeared in the DFW board so I am trying again to add it as a diary... Oh my life... technology eh? :rotfl:
Life gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...
2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017
Sealed pot 2025 £6573 | EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3364/£6000 | Travel savings £1508 | Sinking pots £2571
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Comments

  • Hi LMD.

    Wow on your PAD - that's amazing.

    You have truly inspired me to make more of an effort with that. Maybe that will be the secret of my third week of the month misery.

    Totally agree with you about Mondays ... Saying that not too impressed with Tuesdays, Wednesdays etc.

    Xx
    Save £12k in 2014 #080 £0/£8,000.
    £2 savers club #53
    £365 in 365 days # 101 £1/£365


    Sugar free days 0/365
  • Hi LMD, I am also deeply impressed with your PAD being more than your monthly payment... I sooooo need to get on to the PAD thing!!

    Will subscribe to your diary, and follow your progress.

    Mrs S x
    1st Jan 2014 £20,600 / 1st Jan 2015 £15,572.90
    **Feeling Hopeful that 2015 will be our Debt Free Year**
  • Thanks for your support :)

    I can already feel that today is going to be a great day, I have packed up my lunch and breakfast for work so I can spend as little as possible today.

    Unfortunately tonight is a return 'check up' visit to the vets for poorly pooch so will end up costing, however I intend to claim on the insurance as it will go over the excess so at least I should get that back.

    I have already done my PAD of £4.88 this morning from rounding down the bank account.

    It's been quite a frugal month this month so I should have a decent amount come pay day to throw in as an overpayment.

    One thing I am really pleased about is that hubby's Christmas present is half paid for already, I have pre-ordered him the PS4 for when it's released. After paying the deposit I have kept an envelope in the safe and I keep adding funds as and when I can. Hopefully this will mean I can save the full amount before release date and not have to use a credit card! :D

    Feeling oh-so-positive :j

    LMD x
    Life gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...
    2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017
    Sealed pot 2025 £6573 | EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3364/£6000 | Travel savings £1508 | Sinking pots £2571
  • Hi Hun,

    Hope your day continued as well as it started and that your firmly in the dfw wagon.

    How did your dog get on at the vets? Is he fully recovered?

    My nephews would love a ps4 for Christmas, think my brother intends to get one. Unlike you though he won't have made any plans in how to afford it. He has been out of work a lot of his life but has got by through the bank of mum and dad. I think this will be his method at Christmas - much prefer your mehod.

    I am quite a planner, when it comes to Xmas. Have £100 saved through tesco Xmas saver, so although I'm doing a cheap and cheerful this year I will have sufficient to by tins of chocolates, bottles of wine as token presents.

    Well done on your PAD. Do you keep a track on what you pay each month? Are you paying one debt off a time or all of them simultaneously?

    Xxx
    Save £12k in 2014 #080 £0/£8,000.
    £2 savers club #53
    £365 in 365 days # 101 £1/£365


    Sugar free days 0/365
  • Evening,

    Ok so the day kinda went downhill from this morning, vets haven't given her the all clear so she has another course of medication. Insurance kicked in so it's not an issue.

    I also was hoping hubby would get the ok to go back to work today but the hospital said they want to see him again in a fortnight so it's more waiting... That's what really killed my positivity if I'm completely honest :(

    The PADding is mainly going to Santander as that's the highest interest. Others at the start of the month are spread out as they are my regular payments and direct debits, although I sometimes top these up with a round-down too ;)

    I do keep a track and I know roughly when things should be cleared so it gives me a goal to work to. It's all in my payment diary/budget planner, I have a separate tab for PADding. - I know I'm sad!

    Hope you've had a good day sweets :)

    LMD x
    Life gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...
    2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017
    Sealed pot 2025 £6573 | EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3364/£6000 | Travel savings £1508 | Sinking pots £2571
  • Aww Hun, really sorry about your husband having to wait another two weeks. I know it's not the news you wanted but in the long run I'm sure the hospital knows best and its better he's goes back fully recovered than going back too early and suffering for it.

    Does your dog have to back? Is he a breed? How old is he?

    What made you have your lbm? - sorry hope you don't mind me asking. What ever the reason I'm so impressed with your perseverance xxx
    Save £12k in 2014 #080 £0/£8,000.
    £2 savers club #53
    £365 in 365 days # 101 £1/£365


    Sugar free days 0/365
  • I know it's for the best, I am just a little frustrated as is he.

    Pooch is actually a she... A Dalmatian who is bonkers :). It's not serious so she will be fine.

    As for my LBM, it was having to take a payment holiday on the mortgage, if not for my debts I wouldn't have had to do that...

    LMD x
    Life gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...
    2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017
    Sealed pot 2025 £6573 | EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3364/£6000 | Travel savings £1508 | Sinking pots £2571
  • Love Dalmatian, never met one that isn't completely bonkers.

    Hope everything goes well in a fortnight and OH can get back to work.

    Xx
    Save £12k in 2014 #080 £0/£8,000.
    £2 savers club #53
    £365 in 365 days # 101 £1/£365


    Sugar free days 0/365
  • Well, I am feeling really positive about my no spend day yesterday and another is on the cards for today, I have made my lunch (and remembered to bring it to work - bonus :) ) and I will be making use of free water, tea and coffee throughout the day.

    I realised that by getting frustrated it will not help me keep my focus so I am back in positive mode :) determined to not just grin and bear it but to 'smile and get on with it'.

    PAD already made of £2.88 this morning towards credit card and I have checked all banking/savings etc.

    Calculations indicate £80 'available' funds til pay day which is great going for me, it's usually waaaaay less than that by now! We have a few social events over the next week which will take up some of that but will try and stay as frugal as possible.

    Onwards to bank holiday weekend!

    LMD x
    Life gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...
    2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017
    Sealed pot 2025 £6573 | EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3364/£6000 | Travel savings £1508 | Sinking pots £2571
  • Really pleased you back feeling positive this morning. A smile not only makes you feel better but is also infectious to those around you.

    Thank you for posting how much you have left until the end of the month. It's really helped me.

    Well done with your spending and good luck with the remaining part of the month. Sure you that £80 will stretch to your needs xx
    Save £12k in 2014 #080 £0/£8,000.
    £2 savers club #53
    £365 in 365 days # 101 £1/£365


    Sugar free days 0/365
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