The Final Countdown...

black_cat

Well, I might not have updated this diary for over seven months but it's still the "final countdown!"
£1340 left to pay
We could pay that off from savings so I feel even better about it. The car is old and the house isn't "reliable" so we decided to keep savings rather than pay off the debt (which is interest free).

What else is new since January?

• Defaults have dropped off.
• Overpaid the mortgage every month - just a small amount to round it down. Really looking forward to overpaying more next year.
• I have a credit card to build credit score - only to be used for a small amount each month and direct debit for full amount set up!
• Small pay rise in September. Not sure how much yet.
• Have finally got the ability to de-clutter and get rid of things - even books!
• Lost over a stone and hope to continue losing.

So, onwards and upwards...

ani*fan

Hi there

How did you get on with the ppi claim? I'm in the middle of a couple of these myself just now. Not sure how hopeful to get!

Well done on all your achievements, you're doing great! I'll look forward to your debt free post.

AF:)

black_cat

Thank you AF!

I received £446 from MBNA and £72 for a Card Protection claim. I'm about to put in claims to HSBC for 2 loans (long paid), and a credit card. I've put this off as we bank with them and I didn't want to "upset" them - silly, eh? It looks as though there's going to be a cut off date for claims so I've been spurred into action. I've set myself a deadline of 1st September to get it all together.

black_cat

I've mapped out our income and expenditure 'til the end of the year (I'll update and add to each monthly tab on the spreadsheet as I go along). We're on target to pay off the debt, pay for Christmas and still have money in the bank. I'd love to start 2016 as a MFW rather than a DFW!

OH and I both needed a few items of clothing for autumn/winter - his only cost £2.50 as we were given over £50 worth of vouchers and I bought mine from the Tu 25% off sale. So, approximately £100 worth of clothing for £41.50. September and October are usually leaner months for OH's income so I'm hoping that we'll just buy food for the next 6 weeks. There's nothing else we need and the stores are well-stocked so even the food bill can be kept to a minimum. The Nectar points are mounting up nicely to spend at Christmas but they can be used sooner, if necessary.

If all goes to plan, we'll be having some house repairs done before Christmas so that's another reason to keep expenditure as low as possible. It's also a reason to crack on with the PPI claim!

black_cat

• Basic housework and washing - done
• Clean two more rows of books (started with two rows yesterday) - done
• Sort out another bag for charity shop - done
• Take 3 bags to charity shop - done
• Online banking - done
• Take some stuff to work - keep as little as possible at home - done
• Spend at least an hour in the loft - more stuff for the CS tomorrow! - done
• Menu plan from stores - done

And when that's done...
Enjoy reading, watching, listening to things I already have! - done
(Also, cuddle cats and maybe OH)! - done

black_cat

Got a lot done today. It's amazing what you can do in an hour in the loft - it's also amazing what ridiculous things you keep in the loft! There's far too much in our loft, but most of it is organised and in labelled boxes. The bit I'm doing at the moment is the disorganised bit and most of it seems to be heading for the tip and recycling. Once that's finished, the other stuff should be straightforward. I'm hoping that most of it will be going to the charity shop. This is MSE because we have some stuff in storage and I want it in the loft so that it isn't costing us money.

black_cat

Last day of holiday, so

• Online banking and update spreadsheet - done
• Preparation for work - quite a lot to do - done
• Rubbish, recycling and charity shop stuff out of the house - done
• At least 30 minutes in the loft - done (an hour)

I'm actually enjoying sorting the loft out! I can see progress, my favourite local charity makes money, the roof joists are happier, I'll be able to access things much easier and quicker, I'll have somewhere safe to store our financial paperwork and I won't have to pay money for external storage. What's not to like? Realistically, the rest of it will be done mostly at weekends so I'm going to give myself 6 weeks to finish the project. Ideally, there's a bank holiday weekend coming up and I'll finish it then...

Have a good day!

black_cat

OH took at least 4 bin sacks and boxes of recycling and rubbish from the loft to the tip today and then we took 2 bin sacks and 3 bags to the charity shop. It felt so good to see it going out of the house. I'm going to spend half an hour up there tonight and then I need an "early" night as it's back to work tomorrow. We went out for a meal this evening - water instead of expensive drinks, lower-priced food and still had a good time. I paid for it on the credit card and the Direct Debit's already set up. Two days to get through before the four day weekend...

black_cat

We got home at about 8.45 and I went straight up into the loft! 1 large bag of rubbish, several large empty boxes for recycling, a box and bag of stuff for the charity shop - all to leave the house tomorrow. I sorted the Christmas stuff out whilst I was up there - I must not buy any wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags or cards this year or next! I've put a few decorations in the CS bag but I'll be more ruthless in January.

Must go to bed soon, but one thread leads to another...

black_cat

Back to work. Went OK and made sure I left on time. I need to make sure I give myself enough time for me, OH and the house and not come home too tired to do anything. Bags and boxes taken to tip and charity shop. Had first quote for damp-proofing today - better make a start on the PPI claim! Dinner from stores - using up veg in fridge and freezer for stir fry.

To do:

• 30 minutes in the loft
• Start PPI claim
• Plan menu from stores