Debt free by 40 -- 19 Months and counting

FinanciallyUnsavvy

Very glad to hear from you - been checking my subscriptions every day wondering where you'd gotten to!

Glad everything is ok. HOPEFULLY your hubby gets paid soon, that must be frustrating - but it's a testament to your budgeting that you've managed to get by without any problems because of it.

The mortgage going up is majorly sucky Can't hurt to phone them to at least try for a better deal I suppose? But you've been managing to pay £1k+ off debts every month, an extra £90 to the mortgage isn't going to mess up your long-term plan too much, so try not to worry about it.

Have you done anything about the Virgin default yet?

Lots of love xx

StressedSteph

Hi Kim


I spoke to Virgin today. To avoid a default I have had to agree to paying £195 per month instead of £74. They said it will still say on my credit file that I am under a payment agreement but it will prevent a default. Best I can do at the moment.


They have agreed to still freeze interest and charges so I guess its still money off against my debt.


Glad I braved the phone call, I still always have the urge to file it and just accept/ignore things rather than face things head on. The guy on the phone was lovely and really helpful.


I might try my mortgage company one day during a quiet moment, but I cant imagine they will be very willing to offer good deals when I am being less than a brilliant customer


Oh well at least I tamed the Virgin card today. Its like a constant battle trying to keep the wolves from my door. Just when you think you have scared/tamed one of them off, you get another one trying to trip you up. Guess that's life.


Got so much going on here, trying to get sewing up to date, get hubbys accounts/tax return sorted, veg plot, garden weeds, house tidying, plus kids clubs, PTA etc etc etc. Phew......

Ams40

Keep plodding along. Slowly but surely the number of debts will go down and there will be less left to trip you up. You are doing great. Keep going!

maddiemay

Hi Steph, pleased that you are all OK, I think that it is a certainty that just as we think we have got a grip on everything, something comes along to try and de-rail us. You are doing so well, and great news about making that call to Virgin, I think it will be worth a call to the mortgage company when you have a minute, at the very least to reiterate the facts ie self employed, income sometimes erratic, and reinforcing your commitment to making payments as and when you have been able to. Keep plodding on, one day soon all the hassle will be behind you and we will be celebrating your being debt free with you.:D
MM
xx

Chrysalis1976

It just shows that your budget system is working for you and you have access to the savings whilst waiting for hubby to be paid, I do hope it gets paid quickly for you though x

The issues with your card and mortgage will improve as the focus shifts to them later.

Keep going, Nxxt is going down nicely.

C x

Chrysalis1976

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

C x

StressedSteph

Hi all,


Thanks for your kind words all.


Felt abit stagnant during the first half of this month due to late payers etc but all been paid up to date today and feel in control again.


The only category on YNAB which has gone slightly to pot is my food budget. but I'm aware of this and will try to be more careful.


Finally made my first debt repayment. Phew......Littlewoods£184
I have calculated with all our May payments that I can hopefully still make the 1k May Mini Goal target.


Felt extremely frustrated today that I can't have more earning potential and then reminded myself that I do have a little craft business that I have slightly abandoned lately which does bring in a trickle of regular cash if I just get my butt in gear. So I have gotten back into that today and have started an order that someone has requested from me.


I am struggling abit with the school PTA that constantly threatens to over take every moment of my week. I really need to learn to take a step back sometimes and not be quite so quick to offer my services.


Finally gotten my debt total in the 15k region, this feels good but even though I will hopefully reach my 1k target this month I really feel like I need to get Ebaying again and more actively searching for way to bring in money. Like Dave Ramsey says, I need to get "Gazelle intense" again like I was a month or so ago.


Still listening to Dave Ramsey EVERYDAY. I love that guy.


Speak to you soon x

misstara

Hi Steph, glad to hear that everyone has now paid and you can start making your payments for the month. It's really annoying having to wait - I'm so impatient.

Well done on getting into the 15k region :j and good luck with meeting your May mini target.

Hmm think I might have to google Dave Ramsey and see what all the fuss is about

Chrysalis1976

Good to see you Steph, thank goodness all payments are in it must have been frustrating.

Your craft business is definitely worth pursuing as it does bring you in a nice little income, perhaps you need to have set days for pta, craft and offer things e.g. gardening (weather permitting) then it will help to focus. They can be changed as needed but might help to stay on task for each element.

Great to being so close to getting under the 15k, keep it going.

C x

StressedSteph

misstara wrote: »

Hi Steph, glad to hear that everyone has now paid and you can start making your payments for the month. It's really annoying having to wait - I'm so impatient.

Well done on getting into the 15k region :j and good luck with meeting your May mini target.

Hmm think I might have to google Dave Ramsey and see what all the fuss is about

Thanks for posting misstara
If you have a smart phone Dave Ramsey has a great free app where you can listen to his radio talk show

I listen to him everyday while I clean the house or pot on seeds etc. Its gotten quite addictive now. Very American (Obviously) but I love his approach to solving peoples debt. I REALLY wish our Martin Lewis would do similar.

Chrysalis1976 wrote: »

Good to see you Steph, thank goodness all payments are in it must have been frustrating.

Your craft business is definitely worth pursuing as it does bring you in a nice little income, perhaps you need to have set days for pta, craft and offer things e.g. gardening (weather permitting) then it will help to focus. They can be changed as needed but might help to stay on task for each element.

Great to being so close to getting under the 15k, keep it going.

C x

Thanks Chrysalis


You are right. I really need to meter out my time every week so that everything has a little time spent on it so that nothing gets abandoned.


xxx