Debt-free before 40!

Missioncontrol2014

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

Harsh wake up call but things will be a lot easier to deal with now that you both know how things really stand. Otherwise your partner may have started wondering where the extra income was going and, like any normally insecure female, jumped to all mad conclusions. It's what we do

I have to admit, traumatic though last night was (and sleepless!), I do feel like a bit of a weight has lifted off me. I've been trying to keep all these balls in the air while also attempting to appear as though nothing was wrong. It's nice not to have to pretend.

Also, it eases my conscience to think that I am making a start on paying back a man who was very, very good to me at a time when he really didn't have to be. I suspect legally I could get away with never repaying him, but morally? I'd rather not have it haunting me.

I'm sure my girlfriend feels just the opposite in terms of a wight being lifted! She now has woes she never suspected, and it will take a long time to rebuild the trust I think. But I hope we'll get there.

Missioncontrol2014

So, about time for an update I guess. After a shaky couple of weeks, I think me and my other half are starting to rebuild some trust - it was seriously touch and go for a few days, she nearly upped and left, and I guess I'd not have had much defense if she'd decided to. So I am very, very happy on that score.

Debt-wise, the one big thing I've done this month is cancel a (fairly useless) Scottish Friendly savings plan that I had. I'd been putting £50 a month into it for about 2 1/2 years, and presumed, as it was intended to run for 10 years, that cancelling it early would result in me either getting no money back, or getting back considerably less than I paid in. But no, I phoned them at the end of last week to get a settlement figure, confirmed it in writing the same day and almost by return of post received a refund of just over £1500! Which must be most of what I paid in, bar perhaps the odd admin fee.

While I'm waiting for the cheque to clear, I've kept up with my Ebay auctions. I made £115 from one set, only to be slightly downheartened when £26 of it went in postage, and another £45 paid my Ebay fees for the month. Having said that, I still paid nearly £50 off my credit card.

I've made all my minimum payments, and have more things listed on Ebay, plus some long-delayed moolah heading my way from Music Magpie.

The totals on my signature look like I've made no progress - especially as one of my credit cards has gone up significantly! (a necessary thing - flights and airport parking etc for previously booked and arranged holidays). BUT...give me a week and I'll update with the post-Scottish Friendly totals, and things should look a lot healthier.

GunWharf

Good work :j

in_need_of_direction

The changes in your debt figures may not be massive but they are going in the right direction. Stick at it.

bettyruth

Best of luck! I found the hardest part so far was finally being honest with my hubby... awful... we have been married for 25 yrs, and he was very hurt and angry that I had not been honest, onwards and upwards now!

Missioncontrol2014

Just a quick update - the cheques from Scottish Friendly have cleared, and I've paid £1000 of the £1500 off my debt. The other £500 is being spent on (necessary) furniture for the house, to make it look a bit less like a grotty bachelor pad now it's a home for two!

So that signature is now looking like I've made a bit of progress :-)

skintygerlinky

Hiya!


Good work, sir!! Sounds as though you've become even more determined since you had that frank convo with your girlfriend. Well in and onwards and upwards!
I'm 39 this year and also want to be debt free by 40 so will keep checking in for inspiration here.


Keep going! xxxxxxx

in_need_of_direction

Gosh skinty, you look so much younger!

skintygerlinky

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa!!


Well you know dahlink, I just drink plenty of water and, like, do lots of yoga.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... yeh right!! Love you INOD! xxx

Missioncontrol2014

So, another couple of weeks down the line, and not massive amounts to report, but possible good things in the offing.

I made £75 selling CDs on Ebay, and around £150 selling DVDs, although not all of the money has come through yet. I've also found another, obviously quite rare, CD in my collection that seems to be selling for £200 on Ebay (I know!), so I think possibly that one needs to go as well!

Finally I've listed some festival tickets on Scarlet Mist - I can't afford to go if I'm honest, and they were bought last year before I met my girlfriend who has a serious aversion to camping! So if they sell, there will be another £150 coming in, which is most of what I paid for them.

All of which makes me feel a bit better about the fact that I'd not quite budgeted properly for the bills this month, so have had to take £78 from my emergency fund to cover a couple of direct debits. Onwards and upwards!