Our Journey to a Debt Free 2016

crunch_time

A significant breakthrough like that will lead to lots more thinking about the the next goal.

You have definitely inspired me to be more frugal and enjoy it. I used to think this whole debt paying off malarkey was just a temporary way of life until we had more disposable income to buy what we like just 'like other people do.' However it is making me really think about what I want out of life and 'things' are not it. I'm enjoying budgeting and paying stuff off and I know I will definitely enjoy saving when we are able to.

Keep up the good work and daily posts my lovely!
Crunch x

PinkPoppies

That's exactly it Crunchy! I think also that when you enjoy a frugal life and then treat yourself now again it becomes a much more special thing that you enjoy all the more for appreciating it.

PinkPoppies

Good morning diary land!

Not much to report here. Paid another bit off the CC today. It's a beautiful autumn day out there so I think we are going to make the most of it and head out for a nice long walk

PinkPoppies

Another £100 off the CC today.

Being sensible and not going crazy on the CC overpayments this month as we are away on a UK holiday for half term, and I want to make sure we have enough spending money in our account rather than dipping into the overdraft. Not that we are going to be doing anything expensive or fancy but it would be nice to treat ourselves to a meal out while we are away, and perhaps a day trip somewhere- most of the week will be spent out enjoying fresh air in the countryside.

Both children needed new winter coats so that has been an unavoidable expense this week.

Hope you are all well!

PinkPoppies

Miserable wet day here away on our UK half term holidays so thought I'd check in! Not much to report though! Not much progress due to holiday but we are enjoying it and the current account is looking healthy enough to see us through the week without needing to spend on the CC or use the OD so pleased with our organisation on that front!

crunch_time

Hope you are having a lovely time PP!
Crunch xx

DebtFree2012

Lovely to see your posting. Hope you're enjoying half term even if it is wet!

PinkPoppies

Morning all!

Still plodding away slowly here! Doesn't look as though we will be debt-free before the spring, mainly because we have been 'forced' to book a holiday in overseas next July! I say 'forced'... it's for a big family wedding that we really need to attend. Some more notice would have been nice (not to mention a cheaper place at a cheaper time of year!) but it is what it is. We have booked and paid for an apartment on the CC as the more inexpensive places there were all getting snapped up- so we are working to clear that before we go back to focusing solely on the main CC debt again. Will look at flights once we are debt free as they are looking too scarily pricey at the moment! Have set up a price checker alert thing online so if they suddenly drop in the meantime we can snap them up.

*Sigh*

Oh well, at least we will get a holiday out of it- we haven't been abroad for about 6 years! Assuming we are 100% debt free by then (which we WILL be!) a nice trip away in the sun with lots of extended family could be a nice way to celebrate- especially as it will all be paid for up front!

Hopefully we'll have the holiday expense so far cleared on payday and can then get back to the rest.

Unexpected holiday dropped on us aside- we are definitely finding it harder to stay focused now that the end is so nearly in sight. We have done well with frugal food shopping but been a bit naughty re other spending... new clothes here, stuff for the house there... it all adds up. Christmas isn't exactly a great help either. On the plus side, DH is getting a Christmas bonus which will help.

Lots of left over roast chicken to use up this week, and I desperately need to defrost our iced up freezer, so hopefully we can get away with only a tiny food shop this week.

Hope you are all well!

PinkPoppies

Happy New Year All!

Wow, 2016 is here... felt SO far away when I started my diary but the time has flown!

So, we have exactly £6k left to clear. After a few months of being totally hopeless with our spending over Christmas we are now 100% focused on blitzing the last of our debt! Home straight!

We are aiming to be debt free by the end of April, which funnily enough was our original goal when we started out. My plan of action:

• Back to the frugal weekly shop and meal plans.
• Major de-clutter.
• Sell unused toys and clothes.
• Cancel DH's gym membership.
• No buying wine!
• Generate some extra cash through my work (which has been slow lately).

Quite excited about getting going again and finally blitzing the last of it! :j

DebtFree2012

No buying wine sucks doesn't it LOL.