DD's Journey to Financial Freedom

t2rry

Ooh just catching up with your diary...my car failed it's MOT this month too so I feel your pain!!

Otherwise, wow you've bounced back so positively, well done!!!

Divingmad

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the weekend wishes Gib, we had a relaxing weekend doing odd jobs and sorting out the next round of decorating. Hope things are good with you.

t2rry...cars eh! What a pain (although essential) thing they are. I also had the reminder through for taxing it too....grrrrr. Still, at least all the car based bills are sorted for another year.

On other news, my supposed bank switch is still to happen...asked for a change over date of 28th (today) (we'll do it in seven days....my a&@!), but, my existing account is still active and has all my money. Good job I didn't start using the new account debit card otherwise I would have been into the overdraft already!
On the negative side...I may well miss the increased payment because of their delay, on the plus side, my salary is in and bills are being paid so no need to worry about nasty letters appearing in the post.

What to do?!?!?!. I will give them a call tomorrow and see what their game is, otherwise I may well be cancelling the request and looking at something else instead.

Hope everyone is well (and not attempting baked Alaska)

DM
x

Divingmad

Hi Diary,
Well, today I have had to contact h4lifax to see why my planned account switch hasn't happened, was supposed to have been the 28th, but here I am, on the 30th, with my old account still in use (and in credit) and a sparkling new account opened with zero balance.
It transpires that the on-line application for the transfer did not go through, so nothing has been processed. One of the reasons for the switch is that I would be entitled to £200 switching bonus (and £5 each month I am in credit), so if they weren't going to honour it, then I was going to tell them to poke it.
After going through a couple of departments, details re-submitted and confirmed, they have said they will honour the pledged amount, so I have a new switch date in September....A bit later than planned, but will be happier (and a little less indebt) once it all goes through.
Right, off to decorate the bedroom now, either that or lounge around on the sofa.....hmmm...choices choices.
More later
DM
x

giblet1979

Frustrating about the timescale DM but good that they will honour the promise.

I vote for.....SOFA.

I'm yet to actually 'get up' as such (hangs head in shame). To be fair, I've been doing surveys for about 3hrs, and am now on here lol x

Divingmad

Morning All,

An uneventful week this week, had loads of sleepless nights and some dark thoughts...best not dwell on that lot too much.

Mrs DM came home from shopping this week with a delightful parking ticket in her handbag, given to her from a private parking company, so have been through the forums and have sent of a letter saying we refuse to pay, and that they can go chase their tails.

I am still managing to keep my bank account in the black, ended last month £200 in credit, then the water bill hit the mat - thud! Oh well, there is some money left over, so will be putting that to the emergency fund.

Have joined a couple of challenges to help beat this debt monkey, small steps but am getting there.

Hope all is well with everyone

DM
x

Divingmad

Afternoon all,

Forgot to add that the car now needs a new wheel bearing too! It was making a few funny noises last year an the garage re-packed it with new grease, but now it's well and truly on its way out :mad:

BUT, on a plus side, I won £25 on the l0tto (was an impulse buy after having the most ridiculously itchy hand moment, so thought why not...well for once my numbers came up.

Hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine

DM

Divingmad

Morning all,

Well, the car went into the garage and they confirmed the wheel bearing was shot, but to replace it would also require a change of brake discs and pads too :mad: . A strange design, but that's how it's been designed (I suppose that's what happens when you have a car that's like a roller skate on acid), so £250 later, the car is running sweetly with no more noise (well, not from the bearings anyway).

On the plus side, the bank switch has gone through and they paid in the switch bonus too, so with that, the l0tto win last weekend and no other spending this week, I have managed to absorb that car repair without damaging my small emergency budget.

Also, looking at my spending for the month looks like I will be in the black AGAIN (this is starting to become a regular occurrence). Bills are being dealt, debt level is coming down and emergency budget is going up, does this sound like a small amount of optimism creeping in????

I hope so, I need to start looking at the bright side

Hope you all have a great Sunday

DM
xx

giblet1979

Hey DM,

Glad to hear things are going well. Sorry to hear about the 'dark thoughts' (let me know if I can help) but really pleased to see optimism creeping in. Two months in the black, with all the car stuff etc going on is a fantastic achievement. It all seems to balance on paper, but it's making it work in reality that is the hardest bit!

Sending more positive vibes and good wishes for continued frugality and success x

Divingmad

Hey Gib,

You are quite right, making those savings and paying things off is the difficult bit. Fortunately, I have been keeping more of an eye on where my money has been going, being extra vigilant in putting it aside to meet the impending obligations and generally being a parsimonious with my money.
I have a couple of spreadsheets that are regularly fiddled with to make sure all is where it should be, and what needs to be put aside is done.
I am not sure whether anyone else has felt this, but having changed bank accounts I feel strangely more empowered to make it work. I suppose its because I have been watching my spending more closely that I feel more in control of things.

But hey ho, onwards for me and downwards for that debt (which has shrunk by another £40 as I made my CC payment today :j
Hope all is well with you

DM
x

giblet1979

Your brilliant progress is tempting me to go and make an overpayment to the loan - must resist for now, lol!
Hope you've had a nice day x