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Livin’ on fumes...
Avogirly
Posts: 751 Forumite
So I'm currently sitting in my car at the petrol station, I made it here on fumes, the range was zero for at least the last two miles. I reach for my purse only to find out that I have left it on my desk in the office. What do I do? Questions start to overrun me..... Why didn't I fill up yesterday, oh yes that's because I couldn't. My account had no money in it, I had no means of paying for fuel without using a credit card.... But I don't want to use my CC, that just sends me into a spending spiral. Plus I’d have to dig it out of the hidey hole- and at the moment that place escapes me. Now today has come, today I have been paid- This means I can fill up, although not a full tank, budget doesn’t stretch that far. Will this tank of fuel last me for the month?
What to do, there is no way I’ll make it back to the office which is 5 miles away. I’m going to have to ring someone to get them to bring my purse to me.
If ever, in my eyes, there was a time when I don't want to be governed by my finances this is it. I am fed up to my back teeth of constantly watching where every penny is going, just managing to scrape by each month, living off the fumes of my bank account.
Don’t get me wrong, those pesky debts are going down, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly. Sometimes they even increase and what do I have to show for it, absolutely nothing!
I have been in debt since I was about nineteen years old, I’m thirty-three now. I have spent years and years spending well above my means, having a so called “light-bulb”, going challenge crazy, paying a bit off, giving up, spending, spending, spending, “light-bulb” and so on- you get the message!
But now, now things have got to change. Inside me, happily growing away and unaware of what’s going on is my unborn child, currently the size of a peach, causing me the need to wee every half hour and there is NO WAY, and I mean NO WAY, that this little bundle of joy is going to be born into a family of debt laden parents.
I am so very lucky, I have an amazing husband and my family are so close. I know that I will not be able to get debt free come my due date, however I know that I can and will be in a better position than I am now. They know I am in debt, not to the amount I am, but they know I exactly how I’m feeling and are super supportive.
I have had a diary in the past, started it for a few days, and then, a bit like my efforts to get rid of debt, I give up, get distracted, go spending. This time it will not be the same, my life is about to take on such a different aspect, this is going to be the best time of my life. I want to move forwards now, I want to not worry if I need to put another £40 of fuel in my car as I’m running low. I want to not feel the need to check my bank account, ebay, paypal, amazon seller account, survey account etc etc every moment of every day. I’m already fed up of my daily visits to the post office, although it’s good exercise for me, I’ve run out of stuff to use to pack up all my possessions I am currently selling, I’m running out of things to sell. As you can see I REALLY want to change.
As of today these are my current debts: -
COOP Credit Card £ 6,003.79
First Direct Credit Card £ 2,695.29
Lloyds Loan £ 6,522.25
TOTAL £ 15,221.33
As I said above I have been paid, I have already made the monthly March payments for the First Direct CC and the COOP CC. These will be showing on their respective accounts tomorrow. I have done the snowball calculator and the First Direct is the first to pay off, followed by Lloyds loan and then the COOP CC. My spreadsheets are all updated to the penny.
I would really like to pay off FD and Lloyds by the time the baby is born. I may achieve this, I may not. If I can definitely get rid of FD and half Lloyds in that time I will be chuffed. I’m aiming for the moon, if I don’t get there at least I’ll land amongst the stars. My baby is due at the end of August. All of FD and half of Lloyds is a total of £ 5,956.41 (not including interest). This is achievable if I continue at the rate I have done during February.
I made it back to the office. I wasn’t brave enough to take a picture of the zero range on my car. I needed to stop the engine before it stopped itself! I would like to have and pinned it somewhere or put it in my purse to help in those weak moments, to remind me how I’m feeling right now. I suppose that may be one of the reasons why I am writing all this down, getting my thoughts and feelings down in print to help me during the difficult times.
Lets hope that there is going to be more good times than difficult times from now on, documented here for those to see who are going through a similar situation. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to go down there and turn it on yourself.
Good luck to those who are on their journey to debt freedom, or any financial freedom of any sort.
Tea and value digestive biscuits are on offer if you made it this far.
Let’s do this!!!
What to do, there is no way I’ll make it back to the office which is 5 miles away. I’m going to have to ring someone to get them to bring my purse to me.
If ever, in my eyes, there was a time when I don't want to be governed by my finances this is it. I am fed up to my back teeth of constantly watching where every penny is going, just managing to scrape by each month, living off the fumes of my bank account.
Don’t get me wrong, those pesky debts are going down, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly. Sometimes they even increase and what do I have to show for it, absolutely nothing!
I have been in debt since I was about nineteen years old, I’m thirty-three now. I have spent years and years spending well above my means, having a so called “light-bulb”, going challenge crazy, paying a bit off, giving up, spending, spending, spending, “light-bulb” and so on- you get the message!
But now, now things have got to change. Inside me, happily growing away and unaware of what’s going on is my unborn child, currently the size of a peach, causing me the need to wee every half hour and there is NO WAY, and I mean NO WAY, that this little bundle of joy is going to be born into a family of debt laden parents.
I am so very lucky, I have an amazing husband and my family are so close. I know that I will not be able to get debt free come my due date, however I know that I can and will be in a better position than I am now. They know I am in debt, not to the amount I am, but they know I exactly how I’m feeling and are super supportive.
I have had a diary in the past, started it for a few days, and then, a bit like my efforts to get rid of debt, I give up, get distracted, go spending. This time it will not be the same, my life is about to take on such a different aspect, this is going to be the best time of my life. I want to move forwards now, I want to not worry if I need to put another £40 of fuel in my car as I’m running low. I want to not feel the need to check my bank account, ebay, paypal, amazon seller account, survey account etc etc every moment of every day. I’m already fed up of my daily visits to the post office, although it’s good exercise for me, I’ve run out of stuff to use to pack up all my possessions I am currently selling, I’m running out of things to sell. As you can see I REALLY want to change.
As of today these are my current debts: -
COOP Credit Card £ 6,003.79
First Direct Credit Card £ 2,695.29
Lloyds Loan £ 6,522.25
TOTAL £ 15,221.33
As I said above I have been paid, I have already made the monthly March payments for the First Direct CC and the COOP CC. These will be showing on their respective accounts tomorrow. I have done the snowball calculator and the First Direct is the first to pay off, followed by Lloyds loan and then the COOP CC. My spreadsheets are all updated to the penny.
I would really like to pay off FD and Lloyds by the time the baby is born. I may achieve this, I may not. If I can definitely get rid of FD and half Lloyds in that time I will be chuffed. I’m aiming for the moon, if I don’t get there at least I’ll land amongst the stars. My baby is due at the end of August. All of FD and half of Lloyds is a total of £ 5,956.41 (not including interest). This is achievable if I continue at the rate I have done during February.
I made it back to the office. I wasn’t brave enough to take a picture of the zero range on my car. I needed to stop the engine before it stopped itself! I would like to have and pinned it somewhere or put it in my purse to help in those weak moments, to remind me how I’m feeling right now. I suppose that may be one of the reasons why I am writing all this down, getting my thoughts and feelings down in print to help me during the difficult times.
Lets hope that there is going to be more good times than difficult times from now on, documented here for those to see who are going through a similar situation. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to go down there and turn it on yourself.
Good luck to those who are on their journey to debt freedom, or any financial freedom of any sort.
Tea and value digestive biscuits are on offer if you made it this far.
Let’s do this!!!
October make £10/day currently £11.02
0
Comments
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Very best of love and luck to you - you can do it! Just keep going forward, no backward sliding allowed!
Credit Card Freedom gained 14 Feb 2014!!Total Debt Freedom gained 29 Apr 2014!!Savings goal 30/9/23: £72,000/£538,001.....yes I'm serious!Total Debt August 2013: [STRIKE]$21,587[/STRIKE] April 2014: $0!!!!:j0 -
You have the very best reason in the world to get this sorted once and for all. Good luck to you and the little Peach.:DThe best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. (Abraham Lincoln)0
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Hi HOK3Y and maddiemay. You are both right, I have the ultimate motivation now. Maybe that's why I'm more determined than ever. Thanks for your words of encouragement, it's really appreciated. I know that when people are going through their own battles, it so generous of them to take time to think of me. XxOctober make £10/day currently £11.020
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Hi Avogirly, such exciting times for you! Best wishes for your debt busting journey and hope you are feeling good with the peach
*subscribes*Never sit in the comfy chair - Jake Humphrey0 -
Thank you lionheartedgirl, it means loads for you to pop by to read my diary.
All is good today, except for the weather which is pretty disgusting again. I am being really economical with my driving hoping that my fuel consumption will mean I can stick to my budget for March. Over the weekend I'm going to check my tyre pressure to make sure that my car is running at it's most economical.
I have checked my balances for the day and they are as follows:-
COOP £5,853.79
FD £1,596.81
Lloyds £6,522.25
TOTAL £13,972.85
The interest is added to these accounts over the next two weeks, so I do expect them to increase a little bit. However, I am pleased with the amount I have been able to pay off during February.
Today my to-do list is as follows: -
- Organise the kitchen cupboards and meal plan for the week ahead
- Quick shop for milk, dog food, sponge, sugar.
- Put away clean washing and put on another load to wash.
- Hoover all floors.
- Package up and post sold book.
I'm at week 14 of my pregnancy now and the bump is beginning to show. I really don't want to have to buy too many maternity clothes, but by the end of the day my jeans feel uncomfortable. I have got two pair of linen trousers, but I really can't wear them in this weather! Hopefully it will brighten up before I have to abandon the jeans idea!October make £10/day currently £11.020 -
Good luck and congratulations "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee0
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I'm at week 14 of my pregnancy now and the bump is beginning to show. I really don't want to have to buy too many maternity clothes, but by the end of the day my jeans feel uncomfortable. I have got two pair of linen trousers, but I really can't wear them in this weather! Hopefully it will brighten up before I have to abandon the jeans idea!
You can get bands that extend the fastner on your jeans? I hope tht makes sense lol
Congrats xx
I am going to subscribe (also trying to pluck guts to do my own diary lol) xxDebt £30,823.48/£44,856.56 ~ 06/02/21 - 31.28% Paid OffMortgage (01/04/09 - 01/07/39)
£79,515.99/£104,409.00 (as of 05/02/21) ~ 23.84% Paid Off
Lloyds (M) - £1196.93/£1296.93 ~ Next - £2653.79/£2700.46 ~ Mobile - £296.70/£323.78
HSBC (H) -£5079.08/£5281.12 ~ HSBC (M) - £4512.19/£4714.23
Barclays (H) - £4427.32/£4629.36 ~ Barclays (M) - £4013.78/£4215.82
Halifax (H) - £4930.04/£5132.12 ~ Halifax (M) - £3708.65/£3911.20
Asda Savings - £0
POAMAYC 2021 #87 £1290.07 ~ 2020/£3669.48 ~ 2019/£10,615.18 ~ 2018/£13,912.57 ~ 2017/£10,380.18 ~ 2016/£7454.80
~ Emergency Savings: £0
My Debt Free Diary (Link)0 -
Debt £30,823.48/£44,856.56 ~ 06/02/21 - 31.28% Paid OffMortgage (01/04/09 - 01/07/39)
£79,515.99/£104,409.00 (as of 05/02/21) ~ 23.84% Paid Off
Lloyds (M) - £1196.93/£1296.93 ~ Next - £2653.79/£2700.46 ~ Mobile - £296.70/£323.78
HSBC (H) -£5079.08/£5281.12 ~ HSBC (M) - £4512.19/£4714.23
Barclays (H) - £4427.32/£4629.36 ~ Barclays (M) - £4013.78/£4215.82
Halifax (H) - £4930.04/£5132.12 ~ Halifax (M) - £3708.65/£3911.20
Asda Savings - £0
POAMAYC 2021 #87 £1290.07 ~ 2020/£3669.48 ~ 2019/£10,615.18 ~ 2018/£13,912.57 ~ 2017/£10,380.18 ~ 2016/£7454.80
~ Emergency Savings: £0
My Debt Free Diary (Link)0 -
Hi kindofagilr, I have a look at the link, thanks for posting. You should do your own diary, it's really good to get your thoughts all written down plus people are so helpful and give tons of advice.
I have had a great weekend, my besties took me out for a lovely Italian on Saturday night which was just yummy!
Budgets are all looking good and payments for the month have all gone through. I have got a few more payments due out during the month, so I'm hoping that my freelance invoices will be paid in time to cover those outgoings.
Husband is back from a work trip today so I'm really looking forward to seeing him tonight. I have got some mince out to defrost so I'll be making a quick and easy spag bol for our tea tonight. Hopefully I'l stretch the mince out to make four meals, two tonight and two tomorrow. I have got loads of veg left over from my weekly delivery, so I'll be thickening the mince with this.
I need to meal plan for the week ahead, I didn't get the chance over the weekend as I was away, but I need to go shopping, especially with hubby being back so I'm sure he won't want to live on beans on toast!!
I have been doing a brief bit of research on using reusuable nappies, does anyone have any advice or opinions on them?October make £10/day currently £11.020 -
My friend uses reusable nappies and she loves them, I can ask her any questions you have?? I know a couple of people actually who use them xx
I think I will do a diary soon, we just totted up our debt totals!!!:eek:Debt £30,823.48/£44,856.56 ~ 06/02/21 - 31.28% Paid OffMortgage (01/04/09 - 01/07/39)
£79,515.99/£104,409.00 (as of 05/02/21) ~ 23.84% Paid Off
Lloyds (M) - £1196.93/£1296.93 ~ Next - £2653.79/£2700.46 ~ Mobile - £296.70/£323.78
HSBC (H) -£5079.08/£5281.12 ~ HSBC (M) - £4512.19/£4714.23
Barclays (H) - £4427.32/£4629.36 ~ Barclays (M) - £4013.78/£4215.82
Halifax (H) - £4930.04/£5132.12 ~ Halifax (M) - £3708.65/£3911.20
Asda Savings - £0
POAMAYC 2021 #87 £1290.07 ~ 2020/£3669.48 ~ 2019/£10,615.18 ~ 2018/£13,912.57 ~ 2017/£10,380.18 ~ 2016/£7454.80
~ Emergency Savings: £0
My Debt Free Diary (Link)0
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