Enjoying the journey - budgeting, saving and remaining credit card free

fedupandskint

I nearly list my rag with the bank today as I was pushed to breaking point to accept their resolution offer all of a sudden. Grrrrr, long time since I felt like that.

Anyway, errands all done, boiler service all ok, some cleaning done and tea made.

Trying to let it go and not hold to someone else's rubbish. Better news is that the loan amount owed has dropped down into the next bracket which did cheer me up as £1745 overpaid and interest saved since Jan this year. Going in the right direction and continuing as next month I gave another chunk to pay off. I've had to rethink my repayment plans but that's ok as a bigger amount each month will be paid off and that should please me and that bank. Can't wait to see how much interest that lot saves, should be interesting to find out and no doubt more tussles with the bank

fedupandskint

Lovely long walk yesterday in the country side - very autumnal cold wind on the tops for this time of year. Good to get some practice in for the long walk this week.

Today deep cleaned my bedroom ready to move stuff in from the spare room to get it ready for the renovation in there. Made a list of everything to do to prep for it starting. Listed a few more items on eBay to use up some free listings and declutter the room.Hope they go to new homes.

Anyway moved some things in, decided where to pack and put the rest over the next few months and what to try and sell if not needed or wanted by me.

Then discovered it was the last day f the big 5L paint discount at the DIY shop so zoomed up to see what was left and got there to discover 3 were left in the finish I wanted. 1 in the colour I preferred and 2 in the colour I preferred less. Decided to go with the 2 tins as likely to need the bigger quantity, I'm sure I won't mind when the room is finished! Anyway came out with a £26 saving which is always good news! Looks like the paint budget will stay on track now with no problem.

Tomorrow more sorting out to do, washing to catch up on, haircut and go up to town for a few bits.

NSD 21 for me as yesterdays spends were on ice creams after the walk as a treat and spends today out of house account

giblet1979

Hi Fedup,

Just been reading your diary from the beginning and very impressed with your focus and determination.

I look forward to following your journey x

fedupandskint

giblet1979 wrote: »

Hi Fedup,

Just been reading your diary from the beginning and very impressed with your focus and determination.

I look forward to following your journey x

Hi there, didn't realise I sounded so focused and determined!

fedupandskint

Busy day yesterday baking ready for the short break away, some energy boosting snacks. The weather forecast looks pretty dreadful but we're going regardless to tackle a very big walk.

Haircut too which was budgeted for, also picked up 6 x 10p 250ml size body lotions. Couldn't resist at that price!

Cleaning all finished for this week, floors swept and mopped.

Still feeling a little coldly and hoping to have the cobwebs blown off by the weekend!

Have worked out what and how to pack up the spare room and will get on with that over the next month or so.

Tried to find some bargain emulsion once again, found some but wanted silk not matt finish. Will keep an eye out for another offer over the couple of months.

Also remembered where I can get the curtains cleaned for a lesser outrageous price. All on track with the plans there so far.

fedupandskint

What a fab short break in the middle of nowhere. It was ace!

The weather ruined the big walk, we made it up the first hill then had to abandon it due to the dangerous conditions. Hopefully going back again very soon.

I've upgraded my old walking boots for a new pair as they've finally had it after many many year and many many miles. Haven't chucked them out yet just in case the new ones are no good. I saved up every penny this year for them and they felt very comfy in the shop so fingers crossed they're ok.

Next thing to buy is a wind proof soft shell jacket and I've found just the thing. I hope it stays in stock then I can use my birthday money to buy it which will be just brill!

Back to work tomorrow so it'll be a tiring day I reckon. Bit of mountain biking training this morning which was great to get out in.

Off the mark with NSD 1 today

fedupandskint

It's a momentous day, checked banking and the loan has been repaid in full.

After 6 long years and now with a completely different relationship with money and finances after a long struggle to repay debt. Leaving the final loan to repay which I've been overpaying on this year.

In 1 year and 11 months I have repaid all 4 credit cards and paid off this loan. I would not have believed i could do it when I started to take my head out of the sand and repay my debts. I did though! Amazing what you can achieve when you set your mind to it. I've certainly got a different mind set now.

Final loan to tackle now and I'll work out my new overpayment to send.

Next financial steps are to stop the fee paying bank account when loan reward comes back and preferential savings rate ends next month. Pay off 2 large chunks on the loan as overpayments then see what the balance is after those repayments, hoping much lower from less interest charged.

Chrysalis1976

Wow good news on the loan finishing, great work I hope you have a good day with that lovely feeling and best wishes for the last one!

C x

fedupandskint

Thanks, I have a big smile on my face now when I think about how happy I am I've repaid the loan!

fedupandskint

Worked out all new savings plans and overpayment plans

All going well there

New savings plans will be for the house and holidays as these had to go on hold for a while and can now restart
Overpayment plans are all sorted out and will take place from October onwards to get that final debt amount down and paid off.

Looks like it will take another 2 years from now. But that's ok, as all being well should be by Dec 2016 depending how much interest I can not incur from overpayments.

Which means if that's the case I will have paid off all unsecured loan debt and credit card debt in 4 years which comes in under by a year from the original consolidation loan I was offered by the bank to consolidate the credit card debt 2 years ago. That's why I decided to repay it on my own and that was the best decision I made and I'm applying this logic to repay the final unsecured debt.

End of month round up time for August:
NSD = 24
Coffee and social = £70.96 - quite a lot this month due to 2 meals out and 2 days out. I paid for meals out to say thanks and they cost £21 per time for 2 course with drinks for 2
Food = £134.31/£100 - over by £34.31 rubbish
Travel = £113.97/£120 - under for a change!
Clothes = £0

Not too bad overall, not including short break holiday which came out of holiday budget. It was a treaty month looking at the figures.