Debt-Free Before my 24th birthday

Caramel147

Hi all!
MSE newbie here, I'm afraid, but I've decided I can't keep blaming the state of my finances on being 'newly graduated', because, well, I'm not. I'm 23 now, and I want my debt cleared by I turn 24 on the 18th of May.

I'm not counting my student loans (luckily, that is all the debt I have, I did most of uni costs on grants), I'm counting the silly debt I have no need to be in.

Currently, I need to clear £1214.81 from my overdraft and pay off £287.80 owed on store cards, giving me a grand total of £1502.61 to shift.

My rent and bills don't leave my much spare cash, but I've cut WAY back on my spending already, and have started a spending diary to catch any spending I don't need to do.

I'd love to get as much as this shifted as I can before moving in with the boyfriend in the New Year (hopefully!) as well. Wish me luck!

My current goals are, by the end of Sunday:

• Register on Quidco
• Get my records and record player listed on Ebay
• See if my comics are worth anything on Ebay
• Sort out my clothes and shoes for selling
• Sort the boxes of crap under my bed for potential sellables
• Register for OnePoll
• Register for Toluna
• See if I can sell my old, dead laptop for parts

I'm already a member on Swagbucks, YouGov, Inbox Pounds and MySurvey, and have long neglected DooYoo and Slice The Pie accounts that I'll be reviving. I'm also signed up with a mystery shopping company.

Any other suggestions for survey sites, or sites for wracking up the pennies?

HOK3Y

Hello and welcome! Sounds like you have the right mindset. I wish you the very best of luck!

Caramel147

Thanks HOK3Y!

I really want to be able to move in with my boyfriend (long distance is the worst!) and not fret about money. I live in a really, really expensive place, so hopefully just moving will help the finances a little, but I want to pretty up my new house without any money stress!

Caramel147

I've had a pretty good day. I've done about a zillion surveys (or so it feels!), and had some luck finding some reduced bits in Morrisons for the freezer.

Progress on my goals so far:

• [STRIKE]Register on Quidco
  [/STRIKE]
• Get my records and record player listed on Ebay
• See if my comics are worth anything on Ebay
• Sort out my clothes and shoes for selling
• Sort the boxes of crap under my bed for potential sellables
• [STRIKE]Register for OnePoll[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Register for Toluna
  [/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]See if I can sell my old, dead laptop for parts
  [/STRIKE]

The dead laptop is less dead than I though, weirdly. I fired it up last night, and it turns on fine, after I replaced it when it stopped powering up. Still, it's having a full clear-out of my data now when the boyfriend is here next, and then going on Ebay, so that's a win.

Caramel147

VERY good day today. I heard back from a phone interview I did on Wednesday, and I've got a proper interview next week. One step closer to being able to move in with my OH!

To do list for tonight:

• Look at prices for my comics on Ebay and decide if worth selling
• Sort out the spaghetti junction of chargers in my flat and make sure nothing I don't need is left plugged in
• Sort out the Christmas presents I've bought so far and check what else I need to buy

Tasks for the weekend:

• Get records and record player on Ebay
• Sort out clothes/shoes for Ebay and Return to Earn
• Do a stock take of my freezer and cupboards and plan my meals for next week
• Buy a skirt for this interview - budget of £10

I might be living with the OH by Christmas! Would you all be so kind as to cross your fingers for me for this interview?

HOK3Y

Crossing them caramel! I hope it all goes to plan for you! I live in a very expensive town also but I wouldn't change it for anything. I really love it here - but then I have my hubby with me already! Stay positive and focused and you will achieve what you want. Sending you lots of lucky vibes!

Caramel147

Thank you! Where I live is beautiful, and I do love it, but it is SO expensive, and there is no way my OH can afford to come here, so...

I just got enough points on Swagbucks to get an Amazon voucher, so that'll be a help towards Christmas bits. Hooray!

Caramel147

Good start to a cheap day here; I just cashed out £5 on MySurveys, and after a dig through my wardrobe I found a dress I can wear to my interview, so I don't need to buy a skirt today. Hooray!

I'm chilling out on the sofa with a green tea right now, before I get started on my job list for today. I'm going to go into town to check out the shops for a couple of Christmas presents. I'm trying to spread out what I buy this year, rather than spending a big chunk in one go in December like usual.

HOK3Y

Caramel147 wrote: »

Good start to a cheap day here; I just cashed out £5 on MySurveys, and after a dig through my wardrobe I found a dress I can wear to my interview, so I don't need to buy a skirt today. Hooray!

Yay! It's the little things that add up and make the difference!

Caramel147

I've had a successful today. I managed to get a Christmas present for my Nan and a birthday gift for a friend in Boots 3 for 2 stuff AND got a voucher for 150 points before I bought them, then a double points voucher when I did get them.
I also managed to find a brand new Hummingbird Bakery recipe book for £1 in a charity shop. Bit chuffed with that score.

Caramel147

I didn't quite get through all my to-do list, but I've got a good pile ready for Ebay, and just scored another pay-out in MySurveys.
Pay day in two days, thankfully!