Get lost debt

parsniphead

A good day today and I have achieved a few things. The kitchen and sitting room are looking so much better and I feel motivated to continue. Actually the sittingroom will be getting a freshen up coat of paint on Monday. The kitchen is looking as good as it can under the circumstances.

I have also got on top of the washing and will keep on doing so ready for the holiday on Saturday.

I'm going to get the little one to bed and then either spend an hour or two in the garden or the sewing room. Fingers crossed the rain holds off as I fancy some outside time. I do a lot of thinking out there and always keep a pen and little notebook in my pocket.

I'm not sure if its the thought of seven weeks of or its just a coincidence but I'm feeling very calm and patient at the moment. One thing to do is prepare the workbag ready for return so I don't spend the night before panicking while looking for keys and ID. Then stick it in the cupboard and forget about the place for a while.

I don't know why but I've been feeling quite autumnal today, even during the hot, sunny spells. I love autumn and spring the most. Perhaps I'm just looking forward to big, cosy jumpers and hot chocolate.

OK, a bit more sorting before taking the little one to bed.

Night night.

parsniphead

Wet and miserable here today so I think that I will spend this morning sorting out the sewing room while I cook the Sunday lunch. If the wet weather keeps up I should get it finished. One plus point is it will given he veg a good water. The potatoes, cabbages, brocolli and beans are coming along well.

Last night I didn't do too much in the garden but I did manage to edge the lawn. My grass has got too long for the lawn mower so it will needs trimming first. My strummer is broken but I have found a cheap one in arg0s with good reviews so I may treat myself. I need one to get around the awkward bits.

A day of lots of work so I can focus on getting the sitting room painted tomorrow.

I also get a payment tomorrow so I'mgoing to try to pay off. Little more debt.

parsniphead

A good start today. I have painted the walls in the sitting room and the room is looking much fresher. Tomorrow I'm going to spend the morning cleaning the carpet and then I can get on with starting on the other rooms. I'm determined to head off on holiday knowing I can come back to reasonable looking home.

Off to do some cooking now and then carry on. I'm still trying to decide whether to add money to the savings or pay off some more debt.

Oh rambling today and making no sense.

in_need_of_direction

Half and half?

parsniphead

Thanks INOD. I was going to do this but them found I had a bill a little more than I thought.

I really wanted to go the Dave Ramsey way as I want to get savings sorted but have spent so many years focussing on my debts I'm struggling to do so. I'm looking forward to getting back on track after the holiday.

I painted the sitting room yesterday and it looks much fresher. Today I'm going to clean the carpet before heading to the shops. I have £20 of vouchers which I can use to get the little one some clothes for the holiday.

Later the big sort out continues. Will it ever end, I doubt it.:eek:

parsniphead

I've been away from my diary for a couple of weeks and have just returned from holiday today with some realisations/decisions. While there I saw this caravan. It was gorgeous, breathtaking.........I wanted it as soon as I saw it. We have always wanted a caravan but have not done anything about it. Oh and before you think I have gone mad I didn't buy it or any caravan. If you want a nosey though the link is below. The photos don't do it justice but it will give you an insight into my mind.

http://www.abiuk.co.uk/holiday-homes/the-westwood/image-gallery/

So I'm walking around the site, talking to myself about the above. Why couldn't I have some of that lifestyle for myself, blah, blah, blah. Well firstly being in debt, that why. Secondly.........buying a caravan which cost more than my house would be ridiculous. My house was a project house which has had a lot of money spent on it but the initial cost was way below £60000. Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, because I don't actually think I'm sure I know what I want.

Another problem I have is I spend so much time on here reading diaries. Too many to actually comment on but I love reading how people are doing. On top of that there's Mortgage Free in Three blog, Frugal Queen blog, Brocante Home Blog, Down To Earth Blog, Gerties New Blog for Better Sewing, Mr Money Mustache, Dave Ramsey and don't get me started on Pinterest. I'm spending so much time reading about others I'm actually getting nothing done in my own life, my real life. It's been having a week away from it all has made me realise how much time I'm loosing to this "addiction". The problem with all this is different people saying do it this way or so it that way. I need to do it my way or I won't succeed.

I have come to the realisation if I spent as much time working on my own stuff, monetary or housewise I would be much, much further ahead. After many years on MSE in this guise and a previous one I have decided to sign off for a while, this site and all of the above. I'm going to spend the next period of time on MYSELF. If all goes well I may be back or may not but wanted to say thank you to everyone who has given me support. You are all stars and I wish the best for you all. But for now real life is calling..........................

in_need_of_direction

You have to do what's right for you. Well done on seeing what your barriers are and making a decision to deal with them. Best wishes and take care. If you ever need us, you know where to find us.

sassychick2014

Hey hon

Well done for not giving in and buying the caravan and for the whole process leading to you making decisions about your future.

You will be missed but good luck and hope all goes well xx

parsniphead

I'm back again.

Firstly I would like to thank INOD and sassychick for the lovely comments. The past few weeks have been interesting. I have cut myself off from tall the sites I used to spend hours on and have found more time BUT my spending has also become very erratic. It seems that the only place which keeps me in check is here.

I have decided to start logging progress here again but not visiting any of the other non MSE sites I used to, and to be frank I don't want to. It's like when I used to buy magazine after magazine. I looked at one years after I stopped and realised how much money had been wasted. With all the sites it's been time wasted.

So a confession, the debt has gone up again. Nothing too drastic but a few spends on blinds for the house, etc. Bar a miracle being debt free before Christmas is impossible but I'm still aiming to pay off as much as possible. I will sit down tomorrow and work out what I owe and ANOTHER budget. When I know I will fess up here and decide on a plan.

On a positive note I have started running. It's difficult and I'm puce by the end of each one but as they say " I may be slow but I'm lapping everyone sat on the couch".

Signing off for the evening and heading to bed.

Ali x

parsniphead

Morning diary

I have spent the last day or two looking at my debts and trying to look at them in a different way. Previously I have only focussed on consumer/credit card debt but I have been looking at the situation including mortgage debt also.

Eight years ago when I first logged onto MSE under a previous name I was in a total mess. Approximately £30000 of credit/loan debt and a £60000 mortgage all to be paid by me as I was single, living alone. How thing change....married, child and the majority of the credit card debts paid off.

Ironically my current debt now stands at £26362 but that's including the mortgage and car payments. I have 12 years left on the mortgage but if I can do again what I did before that amount should be paid off in 8 year which is four years early.

For the following figures I have halved the car and mortgage payment as DH and I pay half each.

MORTGAGE £20475 - DH also has been the same amount to pay and is currently putting away money to make overpayments.

CAR £2150 - Same again for DH another half payment.

CREDIT CARDS/LOANS £3737 - A few months of taking my eye off the ball.

I will make the final payment on the loan at the end of November freeing up £91.50 per month to throw at all the other debts.

The above should be very scary but the fact that this time the figure includes the mortgage too it seems not too bad.

Another of my plans was to save a £1000 emergency fund. I'm wobbling between this and a £500 buffer. This would be the minimum. I'm not alone now and DH has savings so its not as if any problems would be catastrophic. Whatever I decide this needs to be in place asap.

Finally on top of this I have a few jobs which need doing on the house. We plan to stay here now so this will be something for us to live with until our final days. The main thing is new windows. Ours are single glazed and very draughty, so double glazing is needed asap. I have a savings account for this.

A new kitchen. Mine is from the early 60's and literally falling apart. I keep mending it but I'm loosing the battle. It's a cross between a want and need and I will start saving for this once the credit card and loan debts are paid off.

Even though we have central heating we have no fires. I would love a wood burner or get the open fires reinstated but this is a want. This will be saved for when credit card/ loan and car is paid off.

What this all means is a very frugal lifestyle and doing as much as possible to earn more money as we can.

Today will be spent continuing with winter proofing the house and making repairs where needed with what I have here.

Right off I go and get started.

Ali x