FutureDreams journey to financial freedom

FutureDreams

Well here goes. No more putting it off until next payday, month or even year or it will never happen.
It is time to bite the bullet and kick the debts into touch.
I have just paid off the biggest debt I have ever had - the evil mortgage but that is not the end of my story.
There are still several financial horrors to tackle.
1. Buy to let mortgage
2. Credit cards
3. Catalogue - small but still there


Have been through some very stressful times financially a few years ago and now need to make sure that this will never ever happen again.


So a few ideas of how to get those FutureDreams a little closer.


1. Bust those credit cards - Interest rates are the highest so these will be tackled first and no further spending on them.
2. Spending diary - don't be shy list all the outgoings and then think were they really needs or wants and learn from this.
3. Already a fan of Aldi / Lidl but savings on food household stuff can always be made.
4. Pay off catalogue £35 and close account next month.
5. Enjoy cooking from scratch but try new dishes and fall in love with slow cooker again.
6. Buy to let is on interest only so contact NRAM to find out how much repayment mortgage will be and then set January 2015 as start date to slay this beast.


So timescales
1. Catalogue pay balance and close account August 1st 2014
2. New Year's Eve credit cards payed off and cash or debit cards are the way forward.
3. January 1st 2015 start paying off that mortgage and dreaming of reducing work hours and having more me time.


We only have one life and after years of doing every bit of overtime going now is the time to change and a little short term pain will make for a brighter future.

FutureDreams

Plan for the day.

Well first goal for the day achieved - Post thread on forum to begin taking first steps to financial freedom.
Plan for today is to have a No Spend Day - easy to achieve kitchen and pantry are well stocked. Yesterday I started to decorate spare bedroom. Have bought one of those heat guns to remove paint, £10 Aldi bargain and very satisfying to use.
No interest in football but will watch World Cup Final. Love German beer and my dogs grandparents came from Bavaria.
Make pasta salad to work lunch tomorrow and with a few treats from the pantry should achieve another No Spend Day to start the week with.

in_need_of_direction

Yay, you have a commitment and a plan. Well done. Can't wait to see the progress you will make.

FutureDreams

Thanks I plan on keeping on taking a 5:2 approach. Five frugal days and two sensible spending days. Also signing up to a few of the challenges looks like a good idea.
Anyway time to start paint stripping and thinking of money saving ideas.
Have a great day everyone!

FutureDreams

Well it is nearly the end of the day and what a lovely one it has been.Firstly the No Spend Day didn't happen my better half persuaded me to buy a garden multitool from a TV shopping channel. I know what was I thinking!!
Well said tool was half price and our new garden has difficult terrain - steep bank, trees etc which need some serious taming.
So after feeling annoyed for not sticking to good intentions I got stuck into the decorating. I have a bedroom that now has no wallpaper or paint just plastered walls and bare wood. So next weekend bring on the painting!
So now to watch the football and prepare for another working week.
Pasta salad and home baked bread prepared for lunch tomorrow no overpriced sandwich for me.
Hope all you fellow moneysavers had a good weekend


FD

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary

FutureDreams

Well it has been a busy week and I haven't posted but have been thinking about spending or more importantly not spending.I have become really conscious or the difference between do I want it or do I need it?
One good thing this week was a free dental check and hygienist session. This has probably saved the best part of £50. However did feel need to go and buy new toothpaste afterwards though!!
So the weather is bad for the weekend which means more decorating for me and no temptation to head to the shops. Have baked a loaf early this morning so free bread with lunch. Wouldn't normally be up at 5am baking but with all that thunder and lightening there was no chance of sleep.
So here's to a relaxing money saving weekend for all of us!!

in_need_of_direction

How did the 5:2 approach work out for you?

FutureDreams

Hi In Need Of DirectionI am a bit of a list maker by nature. This helps me to focus otherwise I can easily get distracted.
Well today was a No Spend Day which is good going on a Saturday.
Obviously torrential rain, thunder and lightening helped!!!
So more decorating done and tonight a little sewing so all in all a good day.
Hope everyone out there is having a good weekend too.


Love


Future Dreams

FutureDreams

Well the catalogue debt is settled.
It feels good to be one down now time to focus on the next.
This is going to be the credit card with the largest balance at the moment it stands at £2800, ouch.
So the plan is to clear it by Xmas which as we all know is 5 months away.
In the last few weeks thinking before reaching for the purse has become a habit. No impulse buys except the odd lolly I have been quite good.
Now the next stage of the journey begins.

in_need_of_direction

First goal achieved. Well done