How will you celebrate being debt free? How do people stop from sliding back?

Vicky496

Yes I think you're right - I don't think it would be good for me mentally to take out a car loan just as I clear my long term debts!
Will wait until July/August to buy a car though I think so we can save a bit more, unless we see a really good deal that's less than my OH already has saved.


In other news I spent £3.20 on lunch today because YET AGAIN I forgot my packed lunch! What's the point of making them if I never remember! lol

Vicky496

Weird... I currently have a positive current account balance and no debt!

At least until rent goes out on Monday...

But on 25th June (next pay day) I'll be out of debt for good!

:j

In other news... spent £10.20 on lunch out today... frivolous!

daisystar

Hi Vicky :wave:

Congratulations!! On both the impending debt free-ness and the impending baby! It must be lovely knowing you are eating straight before he/she arrives

I'm a cloth nappy mummy (I've just had my second boy) and LOVE them. You can buy special powder etc to use to wash them but regular non-bio is fine. The most important thing is to do a cold rinse first, then either a 40 or 60 wash, then another cold rinse. This stops residue building up which can make them a bit smelly :cool: Also don't use too much powder and do a 'strip' of your nappies every now and then (google it). It has definitely saved us a tonne of money and they look so cute!!

I also recommend seeking out your local nearly new sales, especially for things like monitors and toys, as they can be much cheaper than new.

Good luck with it!! Ooh and also, yes to the pre-baby holiday (budgeted for, obviously )

Vicky496

Thanks daisystar!

I'm hoping to meet more local mums at antenatal group next month as well, there's something to be said for being shown how to use things rather than watching youtube videos. I've watch loooads of nappy lady vids! Trouble is there's just so much choice - but the old fashioned cloth nappies are soooo much cheaper!

Vicky496

Just checking in. Updated my total in the debt free by xmas thread... done £1620.39/£2244.73. So there's only £624.34 left to pay off (all in my current account overdraft).

Can't believe the end is nearly here... 11 more days to payday and no bills due before now and then. Can't wait to post on the debt free roll of honour

And then to save for maternity leave!

Lily_rose_2

As a mum of 3......my best advice would be to invest in a really good quality buggy.....not a pram! I had prams, travel systems etc.....but by my third child, I realised that a really good buggy is all you need. Make sure it's suitable from birth....but it'll last you until they're 3-4 (if you can get them to sit in it by then of course;). I had a Maclaren Techno XT and it was brilliant!! You'll be able to use it on buses etc & they fold really easily into any car boot. Slings are great.....but when you've got a heavy toddler, you're probably going to need a buggy!

Also - it's great to want to use cloth nappies....but just keep your options open & don't beat yourself up if you find you have to use disposables, at least until you're in a good routine. Having a baby is such a huge change that it can take some time to adjust.

Good luck x

Vicky496

Sigh...
Yes - I am out of my overdraft...
No - I will not be debt free until the end of July.
I will be back in my overdraft on July 7th after my bills come out.

Nearly there though...

Soooooo close!

Vicky496

Made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just posted in the debt free roll of honour!!!!

I couldn't bring myself to post straight away as I couldn't quite trust I'd worked it out right... but here I am out of debt and able to make a payment into my savings account

Vicky496

I just put £100 in my ISA (or NISA)

Am going to keep trying to make savings and put money aside... for maternity and then towards a house deposit

Vicky496

Joined a new challenge today (Virtual Sealed Pot). Am hoping it gets me in the habit of regularly saving money...

Let's see how it goes!