A new debt free journey

lcc86

Thanks parsniphead, I definitely do feel more positive now for sure, all the small changes have made a huge difference. Reading diaries on here (yours included) makes me realise I'm not alone, and gives encouragement and great ideas too. One day we'll all be writing in saver's diaries and mfw diaries instead of dfw diaries hehe

parsniphead

Fingers crossed next year I will start on the mortgage. Unfortunately I have only just started saving. You are somewhat ahead of me. Have you seen the £1000 Emergency saving thread. It's really helps with motivation.

The diaries are so inspiring. I don't think I would have got so far without them.

lcc86

I don't like looking in the savings thread as I feel I'm not in a position to save much. Although I put £95 away every month towards my ground rent/service charge I don't like to count this as savings because I know a big chunk of it goes every six months, and also if I had an emergency I can't dip into it as it's allocated for use elsewhere. So in my illogical mind I technically have no savings, and one of my big goals once I move jobs and start seeing some fuel savings is to build that emergency fund for real! Then I might be brave and look at the savings thread lol

Synonymous

Hey, I've also just read your whole diary and will be subscribing - you seem to have had some really dark times in your journey but are coming out of it with a positive attitude - so well done

I know you haven't asked for advice, but I would seriously consider cancelling your 'emergency' credit card as it is interest-bearing. Could you try and get a new 0% purchases card for total emergencies?

Best of luck and hope the new job is great

lcc86

Hi Synonymous, thanks for stopping by, hope I'm not boring too many people with my diary!!

You're absolutely right about my emergency credit card, I do need to get rid of it. I relied on it to pay my unexpected vet bills but haven't needed it since. I'll also admit that the temptation to use it for a non-emergency is always there, so getting rid altogether would eliminate that for good.

My only problem is that if I did get rid of it, I don't have any accessible money if an emergency happens. BUT, as above, it shouldn't take long for me to build an emergency fund once I move jobs, so I'm going to give some serious thought to cutting it up. Thanks for your advice, it's definitely given me food for thought! :T

lcc86

Afternoon all. Feeling in a bit of a :mad: mood today. Can't put my finger on exactly why, guess it's just one of those things!! Work are being incredibly obstructive in regards to my internal zero hours job. I essentially need a photocopy of the contents of my personnel file sent to my new manager, but they have refused as they're too busy and short staffed... Yet they have time to email me to argue, it's a five minute job! Instead they want me to drive 40 miles to go and do it myself. Which I can't do as I can't get to them during working hours as I am understandably working. Sometimes I really do wonder.... Lol

Anyway, no news on the money front. Spent £8 in sainsbury's on top up food for me and the piggies, that will see us all through until payday on Thursday planned the majority of my meals for July and have done a shop to be delivered on payday. I know online food shopping is a bit lazy and costs me £1 a pop but it's helped me budget so much better as I can see what it's all going to cost and adjust if needed.

Need to put £10 of petrol in tomorrow, that will last until payday hopefully :rotfl: If not I'll be pushing the car home! I sat and worked out my July budget this morning and it's tight but everything I want/need to pay for is covered. Got a very spendy weekend this Friday as I have my leaving do. Booked a hotel as it was cheaper than a taxi and thoroughly plan to let my hair down (on a budget of course). :beer:

Will update my June targets on payday to see how I got on, and write my July targets too.

parsniphead

That sounds like someone is being very petty. Could you ask your new manager to request it.

I wish Ald1 did online shopping. It's a job I hate and would pay for it to be delivered.

Enjoy the leaving do.

lcc86

I think I finally managed to resolve the personnel file issue. All very bizarre, I've had more than one job with my current employer before and never had it be an issue!

Can't wait for payday, things are getting tight now, put my last £10 of fuel in the car and spent £5 on sawdust and hay for the guinea pigs. Plans for this evening are to chill

lcc86

Payday today :j I've already moved some money around but the majority of my bills don't come out until the beginning of July. Time to recap my June targets:

1. Stick to the budget meticulously! - I did pretty well on this. Slightly overspent on food because I'm trying to be more healthy but overall pretty good.

2. Run Race for Life. - Happening this Sunday.

3. Exercise 3 times a week - achieved this the majority of the time and feel better for it.

4. Meditate 3 times a week - as above.

5. Start one of my new zero hour jobs - achieved .

6. Keep making time for things I enjoy - I think I exceeded my own expectations on this :T

So now onto July's targets ! Exercising and meditating are becoming regular features so I'm not gonna list them any more.

1. Start second zero hours job - still dragging on, thought it had been sorted but it just keeps getting passed to different people. Fingers crossed.

2. Train for 10k race - this isn't until September but I need to take it a bit more seriously than I am right now!

3. Stick to budget meticulously - same as last month, particularly important this month as my finances have to go a little further due to five weeks between paydays.

4. Pay remainder of vet bill completely - I still have £60 on a credit card to pay for this, and it will be cleared this month.

5. Pay remainder of phone handset - got this on 0% for three months, have £34 left to pay. Paid £9 this morning which leaves £25 to be cleared. Will probably use my expenses for this.

6. Try painting again ? I used to like painting in my spare time. Nothing amazing but I still have watercolour pencils so thought I might give it a go.

A lot of targets for the month, here's hoping I can achieve most of them! Right better get off to work lol.

lcc86

Well the leaving do has been and gone. I budgeted £50 and spent £22 so very happy with that. My behaviour on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired, so I think I'll definitely be knocking the booze on the head again. Didn't have a hangover though so did well!

Today I've been very lazy but have managed to do some cooking for the month and have some more I need to finish this evening. An early night definitely planned today as I'm running the Race for Life tomorrow morning. My friend and I are going to have a picnic afterwards as the weather is meant to be good, but we're bringing what we would've had for lunch at home anyway to save money.

I've been offered another shift for one of my zero hours jobs. I accepted but am kind of wishing I hadn't now as it will be a pain to get there in time, so I might cancel. I'll think about it tomorrow and make the decision. I was just thinking about the money but I must remember the balance as well. Plus it looks like the second zero hours job will be starting soonish so I mustn't over commit.

Apart from the night out last night, I've also bought a cheap pair of riding boots as I want to continue riding but haven't got suitable footwear .I budgeted £20 and they came in at £14 :T am pleased everything so far has been under budget! But there's a long way to go yet in this month :rotfl: I also want to do something with my OH as we've not spent much quality time together recently so perhaps I will put the money I've saved so far towards that. I can't afford to splash the cash so will see what's possible on a tight budget!