Crazyladys 104 day challenge: Now until 27 November

[Deleted User]

Inspired by NSK and the NST's and the do a little money saving every day (foxgloves, determinednewmoneysaver, Ziggy et al) I've recently shed my 7.5K credit card debt. Thank you all! :beer::beer:
I'm left with a £4888 informal debt to family, and at the moment a very strong passion to rid myself of it! I've heard of people sabotaging their own debt free efforts in the last stages, and I can see how this passion could swap to weariness, inertia, worse...(the cc debt free status was very hard won).

To keep myself on track until the amazing mothernerd sets up our September challenge, and inspired by Stewby and LiltDiddy's own diaries, I decided to try again (diaries haven't worked for me in the past, but I do notice I witter on a bit in some of the challenges!). I saw some other diaries had time limits and thought this might work for me too. It sees me through to the start of a holiday weekend and takes in some anniversaries or events which might spin me a little off track if I don't stay focused. So here goes!


Day 1: The setting of the rules!

1. Totally debt free on target (April 2015). This requires a min payment of £611 per month to the informal loan, and keeping my CC’s clear (a battle so recently and so painfully won!). Its also got to be played out against all these other goals: pay to debt first, work out the best way to do the other rules next.
2. Explore new places: every day. Whether it is a walk from the office at lunchtime, a different route home from work, finding a new footpath in our neighbourhood, going to a different beach…I need to get out in the fresh air more and notice the world I live in!
3. Meet new people : 2 new social encounters/groups/events etc a month. I have a lovely bunch of friends and we do fun things together. But we’re a settled contained group, and I yearn to diversify it a bit. Meeting a few single men wouldn’t hurt too…but this is a more general goal than the hunt for Mr Right. I’m getting nervous with new people, and I need to rebuild my confidence in making friends.
4. Get around to it: 2 things from our 2014 list every month. Some are goals, some are jobs that hound me, but lots are treats or things DD and I have always wanted to do. Time is short. Not all cost lots of money (though some need to be planned). Lets hit that list!
5. Build healthy habits everyday. Drink more water, floss (I have a near phobia about this but am determined this year will be the one that cracks it!), and consciously go to bed rather than fall asleep in early hours with light on, book open or worse, laptop fired up.
6. Feel good : exercise 5 x a week (I'm in borrowed, slightly larger clothes at the moment ) and try out at least one new recipe a week (Jack Monroe all the way!). I've lurked a bit on greyingpilgrim and pippilongstockings diaries over the last year, and you and the NST's are inspiring me that maybe debt busting and boring food don't have to go hand in hand. And also Pippi, I'm trying to keep both my christmas tree and herb pot plant alive (this is one of the 2014 list items, doing ok so far!).
   
7. Spending diary: everyday. Sort your admin out CL, you know its easier when you do!!
   

stewby

Ah.... I have found your diary!!!!!


Sounds like a very clear plan and a clear plan is always a good thing.

I love your goals on meeting new people and exploring new things. It is something I would love to hear about in your diary.


Oh, I also want to know what sort of tasks you were going to do with your daughter?? (I am very nosey, sorry).


Well done again on destroying your credit card debt and fingers crossed you can do the same with your loan.
Hugs.

[Deleted User]

Stewby, thanks for popping by! I will answer tomorrow...as it is almost curfew time and I just spotted your reply when I nipped in to post this update!

Totally debt free on target (April 2015).
I did take in a paying guest last night and tonight (but am not telling anyone in the real world - I am meant to be resting at the moment! However this couple were in fairly dire need after another local host had let them down at the last minute, and they agreed to make the bed up themselves, so it didn’t hurt me to move into DD’s room while she is away) so that is £88 destined for the debt. I’ve set a reminder for myself to transfer it to my folks as soon as it lands in my account.
I also sorted through the receipts for an expenses claim I need to do. I’ll be submitting it tomorrow, and will set up a payment for payday to add that automatically to the loan repayment.
Explore new places: every day.
Friends took me to a beach that I go to with them at least once a year, usually to do a lovely long swim. I wasn’t swimming today (and as the weather blew up, neither were many of the gang) but I did take the opportunity to explore a different end of the beach from our usual spot. Just by walking ten minutes off our beaten path, I found a lovely viewpoint. It was this ‘new’ experience which prompted this goal. :idea:
Build healthy habits every day.
Flossing was done, but sink quickly resembled a murder scene. I clearly have a way to go to regain some gum health! :eek:Bedtime is about to commence, a little later than I’d aimed for, but before my self imposed 2300 curfew. Computer almost off, ditched the caffeine, got a book and a sidelight. Bliss.
Spending diary: every day
I have started! £5.20 for car parking today (my friends drove though, and made a scrummy picnic lunch) and £1.90 for a much needed warming cuppa (both from cash stash, not debit card). This was my first trip outside the house for a week, and I was freezing!! It was exciting to not feel as awkward or uncomfortable and able to offer unreservedly to contribute to the parking, as in the past I’ve done the same, but with a heavy heart about where I will claw those pennies back from.
So: £7.10 days out/adventures.

Mara_uk7

Ahem .. Its 11.44 and youre still showing online ? Get to sleep young lady

[Deleted User]

So caught! Thanks Mara...trying for better tonight!

·Totally debt free on target (April 2015). Expenses claim in (almost on last day it was eligible). £60 hopefully in my Sept paypacket. Must set DD up so it transfers to loan repayment automatically. Lots of money saving today…entertainment was a borrowed DVD, dinner was gifted food plus freezer bits (and I made it stretch to extra portions), we had pudding too – gifted apples, foraged blackberries, almost covered with the leftover odd bits of crumble that I had saved and frozen uncooked the last two times that I made crumble! DD loves a good crumble and I make them every time we have fruit that is going over…sometimes in odd combinations (e.g banana, apple and mango!). We are also busy labeling DD's new sch uniform with handed down labels with her surname on from my MIL! They were DD's dads and uncles, about 25 years ago! :j
·Explore new places: every day. Today, it was just a different car park for work as the one I usually use is being dug up for a new roadway (no buried kings found yet)! Not very exciting…so much so I think I should try for two tomorrow! This goal might be a bit slow to start as I am just leaving the house for the first time gradually after some time off sick.
·Meet new people : I’ve started telling people about this endeavour, in the hope they will think of me if they hear of things going on. There was a call for volunteers to help with an adventure event next month on a facebook group I belong to but have never yet met up with anyone from. I’m quite excited about as it seems a really safe way to get to know some people locally who enjoy wild swimming too. I also had a look at meetup groups, but there weren’t a lot near me (apart from ones aimed at either retired or student demographics…I’m an inbetweener!). Thinking about setting up my own...
·Build healthy habits everyday. Cut down on the caffine today, thought carefully about portion sizes (and thus got an extra meal in the fridge out of the dinner I was cooking today!) and have just done the flosser again! It was marginally less bloodcurdling experience today!

·Feel good : No real exercise today, but was up and about all day (a good start!) and went back to work for a half day, just to ease into it.

·Spending diary: everyday. Just £1 spent today (misc budget: a leaving card/gift). I resisted feeling bad about this amount! Lots of people are disgruntled at recent announcements at work, and I can almost imagine being the last person left there having shelled out for lots of leaving bashes along the way...

[Deleted User]

Stewby: My List
[FONT=&quot]1. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Catch the sleeper train, intentionally[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Climb Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Make Jam[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Walk a new bit of the coast path…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]…or two[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Learn how to make a net[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Learn to walk in heels without looking ridiculous[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Canoe down a new estuary/river[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Go Sailing[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Sprechen Sie Deutsch?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Master a puncture repair[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Visit Nele & Frauke[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Discover the constellation legends/stories[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Clear out that random cupboard[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Get planning permission[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]16. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Hay Winter Festival[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]17. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Order chocolate cake and wine from a sofa at the Electric Cinema[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]E. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Empty the loft[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]19. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Keep the Christmas tree alive[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]20. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Theatre[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]21. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Meet more of the neighbours[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]22. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Carve a stone[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]23. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Find a brand new beach…or two
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]24. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Uni gang reunion[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]25. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Swim at my relatives pool[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]26. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Learn at least 4 songs DD will also (under duress) sing[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]27. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Ballgown glitz[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]28. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Watch fireworks at sea[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]29. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Do the park run[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]30. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Design a new kitchen[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]31. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Write the story down[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]32. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All clear![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]33. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Murder mystery night with DD’s mates[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]34. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Cuddle baby x lots and lots[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]35. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Plan a new garden[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]36. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]See the Mousehole lights[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]37. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Finish the photo frame[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]38. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Stargazing[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]39. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Go on an overnight trip by bike[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]40. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Eat at river caf! by kayak[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]41. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Make a mosaic out of the seaglass we found[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]42. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Watch a sunset[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]43. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Relaxation centre[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]44. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Re-join voluntary team
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]45. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Bounce on the giant slate mine trampoline in north wales[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]46. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Cycle the new long loop around our local river valley
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]47. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Take a guided walk around our city[/FONT]
48. [FONT=&quot]Host a big event at work[/FONT]
49. [FONT=&quot]PJ Day[/FONT]
50. [FONT=&quot]Visit Eden Project[/FONT]

DDs list:

1. Water fight
2. Swim in the sea
3. BBQ
4. Bake a cake
5. Camping
6. Climb a tree
7. Build a fort
8. Picnic in the park
9. Visit a waterpark
10. Make ice lollies
11. Go on a bike ride
12. Hit 4m on long jump
13. Toast Marshmallows
14. Watch the sunrise
15. Have a movie marathon
16. Jump in a pool fully clothed
17. Do a park run
18. Daydream
19. Make smores
20. Spend a day at the beach
21. See a sunset
22. Roll down a hill
23. Carve name on a tree
24. Message in a bottle
25. Fly a kite
26. Watch fireworks
27. Play in the rain
28. Build a sandcastle
29. Glowstick jars
30. Stargaze
31. Have a conversation in another language
32. Mail a letter
33. Have a PJ day
34. Have a sleepover
35. Build a card house
36. Learn a song by heart
37. Bounce on a trampoline
38. Have a bonfire
39. Learn to use chopsticks
40. Eat loads of ice cream
41. Clear 1.25m high jump
42. Pick wild fruits
43. Stay up all night
44. Wreck this journal
45. Music festival
46. Go shopping with friends
47. Make a daisy chain
48. Go to the theatre
49. Stay positive
50. Make everyday count!

PinkPoppies

:wave:

Oh wow, I love your goals!

Sounds like you are very focused and well on the way to getting it all paid off! :j

Subscribing!

[Deleted User]

Got the list-buzz now, thought I would try one for today!

[STRIKE]Sort out next few lots of bnb guests - send welcome emails[/STRIKE], work out what needs doing before they come!
[STRIKE]Prep for big meeting tomorrow[/STRIKE] In mothernerds terms, this is the FROG:wall:
Make something eatable with chopsticks for dinner tonight (noodles?)
Look up Jack Monroe recipes for dinner with friends coming here Thursday...I thought red lentil and cumin burgers sounded good when folk on here were talking about them recently
[STRIKE]Relax and finish the rest of my book![/STRIKE]
Do the M&S feedback survey competition thingy
Type up notes from yesterdays meeting
[STRIKE]Sort through one of the danger zones downstairs (desk/chest/cupboard or bookshelf)[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Catch up with K[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Encourage DD towards some of her at home things on her list![/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Send birthday text to super friend[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Set up direct debits for payments to loan come payday for expenses claim etc...decided to do this as I go along this month. [/STRIKE]Sent £88 payment from guest already, set up DD for payday for £560 (my 500 goal plus 60 from expenses).
[STRIKE]Walk to sainsburys to do nectar points reclaim[/STRIKE] - wonder how long you get to have them added to your account if you forgot your card when shopping? 14 days it turns out.

[Deleted User]

Welcome pink poppies! We have had a long journey over the last two years to lose the credit card debt. The first year it was all knuckle down and every penny to it and quite gut wrenchingly miserable. This year, with help from various threads on here, I've started to really enjoy the journey, and how inventive it makes you be.

We just have this 4888 to try to lose now...then some structural work on the house to save for...we'll be penny pinching for a while. I had a lifes too short scare this year too, and have been ill for a while (just coming out the other side now I hope)...so we are trying to do some of the things we have always put off...at the same time as paying down the loan!

[Deleted User]

Feeling pleased to have popped in, done no shopping but had got 134 nectar points added from a couple of forgotten and wombled receipts, makes up for having zero adpoints adverts available this week (though last week I did achieve 210, so I can't really complain). I am not really sure what to exchange them for - I have nearly £60 worth of points now. A good buffer if needed for food I guess, but also a considerable amount to put towards something bigger. I have been collecting them for years and years but don't think I have ever redeemed any yet! Unlike clubcard, which I turn into Pizza Express etc vouchers for school holidays. However, I get few points at either place these days - as I'm mainly shopping in budget stores instead!


Also been skimming a few threads and tried even less detergent in the washing machine today - 1 tablespoon! And of course foxgloves, the wm is on a timer, so it will come on overnight:).

Goal round up:

·Totally debt free on target (April 2015).I have set up a £500 payment to the loan on payday (this is the amount that I have worked out I can ‘spend’ on the loan from my salary, now there are no other CC’s to pay off). I also added a one off £60 dd also to come out on payday, in anticipation of my expenses claim this month. This feels a bit scary as until now, I’ve always waited until payday and then made the payments, but I am committing ahead of time. I guess it feels a bit easier to do so on the informal loan – if it gets really difficult, I could ask my folks to transfer some of the payment back. Embarrassing, but it is a buffer. I’ve also sent the payment from bnb to the loan, as it is showing as paying out today (takes a few days to arrive in my current account). But I had enough in the current account to cover it for a few days, so I thought I’d stick to my word. Money from that source of income goes direct to the loan, minus only expenses! So loan is now 4880.
·Explore new places: every day. Today I had a good look around the athletics track which has re-opened after months of work on it. DD was super excited. Usually I would go straight to the stands and watch DD whilst also doing work/talking to mates on the phone etc, but this time I really enjoyed just being there and looking around, and talked to a few new people too! I was also really impressed by some free workshops that my library is running using uni facilities, just with small groups of half a dozen or a so people. I'll definitely be signing up for some of those - new people, skills, and places! Finally, I saw that a movie I am interested in (sort of) is on a free members preview at my local picturehouse this weekend when DD is away. I've been a member for a year or so and no free previews have come up that I could make it to or was interested in. I know you won''t really meet people in a cinema in the daytime, but I am going to go under the 'just get out of the house and do something different even if your alone doing it' banner.
·Get around to it:
Some small steps! Spoke to a friend tonight who said we could borrow her parents house deep in the countryside (but not far from us) for a night next month, when they are away. Like a mini holiday, only 15 miles down the road. It is the perfect place for stargazing though, as it is so dark! That’s on both mine and DD’s lists.
Also made a start clearing out that random cupboard (a boring task on my list). It bore fruit – I found DD’s dads old school name tapes and a laundry marking pen, so that is school labelling sorted out for this year! I also found a lot of cycle maintenance notes and a ‘how to’ book, so I can start learning about my puncture repairs, and a lot of old german text books, so that should help with that item too. It will be a while before we can say its done (it’s a big area) but I started! And I have colleagues coming over tomorrow to help with the task that is all about hosting a big event at work.
·Build healthy habits everyday. Flossing rigorously day 3. Still dread it, but doing it. Could definitely be doing better on the water front, but have swapped evening cuppas for herbal tea, a step in the right direction? My beloved best mate had to give up all dairy products & caffeine overnight after having a baby that was very intolerant, and managed to do it, and stay off for some ten months now. I really should up my game here! Heading for bed soon I promise!
·Feel good : I am still only hobbling around after this op, but have hobbled further today, and made an effort to go up and down stairs frequently, rather than group jobs together. I heard they are starting a start to run course at work on Sep 16th – I did this once before, and it gave me a three year love of running in return, just marred by ill health in the last 18 months. I’ll be signing up for it again if I possibly can :eek:Even better, its free. I cooked a fairly awful pasta meal tonight, trying to use up a courgette/marrow type thing, and a jar of bought value pasta sauce, and the ends of some cheese/chicken from the freezer. We haven’t used bought pasta sauce in, er, about 2 years, but I got two jars in in prep for DD needing really easy to do meals while I was ill. It was awful :mad: but we ate it. Made worse by the rubbery courgette bits I added to it. Won’t be repeating that and am wondering how best to use the other jar (different flavour though, might be nicer).
Spending diary: everyday. £2 running club for DD. £5 kindle book for DD – a much desired fourth in a series – she had got the previous 3 out of the library. She devoured it in 6 hours of reading today! I have spent so little on summer hol entertainment this year, that I don’t begrudge her that. She is off to the library to look for number 5 tomorrow…

[Deleted User]

Got a very needed early night in last night hence lack of check in. Combining the days: Done well on watching the pennies…after much searching for a receipt for a bra DD got for bridesmaiding in case it was needed (turns out with the dress style it isn’t) both the receipt and the bra (still tagged) are packed up neatly ready to go back to M&S at the weekend. I went to A1di for my top up shop having checked in the cupboards and chosen a Jack Monroe dish we had most things for to cook for my friends tonight. Managed to pick up the wrong growing herb (duh) and only realised when I had got home and made a cuppa. Trudged back, and nice man at checkout let me swap it! So after a NSD yesterday, we are down £9.40 for food and cleaning stuff, and £2 for DD’s running club tonight. Car is however running on fumes so next time I use it will not be a NSD.

Cooked the chickpea tagine (new recipe J as per my goal, and really very cheap) and as dish was too heavy for me to lift, DD served me…portion control in its own right! So feel I’ve eaten pretty healthily and had 2 portions left for tomorrow or the freezer! Flossing still on track as is drinking of water. I’ve done some research and found a few different social things I might try. One is a meetup group, one is a young professional’s network, one is a walking club, and lastly some volunteering opportunities. I just need to work on dates, time commitments, and cost now. I’m not quite well enough yet to do any of it – but did manage to leave the house today three times…though I am shattered now! Yesterday DD and I made great progress with a bit of sorting out downstairs, including a few bits towards the random cupboard that is on my things to do list! We also sorted a lot of books out for c.s. but these are a little heavy to lift at the moment for me as a bagful. I have another box full of ebayable things, that I thought I should look into this weekend.
I had some lovely friends come and visit, and they bought a stunning cake. DD has just polished off another slice after her sports club, and we still have about 4 pieces left for guests (and us!) tomorrow. Something to smile about! :T