A new debt free journey

lcc86

Final post of the day I promise!

I reduced my credit card limit on my Barclaycard today. I can't afford to close it completely (nevermind I still have £120 still to clear) as I still don't have an emergency fund so I'm going to continue reducing the limit as I build my emergency fund.

Orange_Ena

lcc86 wrote: »

Thanks Orange Ena hope I didn't bore you too much with my ramblings!

Not at all! Ramble away!

I hope you come to a decision about what to do with the course. It's never easy to decide these things so I wish you luck. Maybe a list of pros and cons could help?

lcc86

Thanks Orange Ena, I'm leaning towards delaying the course for a year while I save but not 100% decided yet!

supersaver1000

Hi lc, I know I've mentioned student loans before, is there any other funding or a different provider/ delivery of your course you can do? There are lots of options out there these days. My course is costing about a third of the most expensive one I found and it suits me much better and is of equal status (I think it's actually better)

It's worth not jumping in. Sometimes things pop up if you keep your eyes open. You've a lot on your plate so perhaps no rush? I think you're right to concentrate on loans etc, a solution may appear in the meantime

lcc86

Thanks supersaver, at present there wouldn't be any additional funding available. You're definitely right about not jumping in, I just need to let things settle for a change. I think my biggest flaw is impatience, if I see something I want or if I want to achieve something, I want to do it NOW!! Waiting is something I must get better at e.g. I can see my payslip online as of tomorrow, but that didn't stop me checking about 5 times for it today even though I knew it wouldn't be there :rotfl:

I think I'll put it off for the next year and go from there. I've put off debt repayment for various things recently so it's time that took priority.

Orange_Ena

I always liked to book a holiday that was 18 months away and I found I loved the looking forward to it bit but when it finally came around, it was even better cause I'd tortured myself and waited and somehow extended the lovely holiday feelings. I think they call it delayed gratification

I got this off wiki about delayed gratification - a growing body of literature has linked the ability to delay gratification to a host of other positive outcomes, including academic success, physical health, psychological health and social competence.

Looks like you've already decided to delay it so I'm sure you'll be rewarded with all of the above

lcc86

Orange Ena, I definitely need to practice delayed gratification! :rotfl:

I had a career 1:1 today, it really helped me refocus my attention and was very positive. I'd been feeling my anxiety rising over the last few days for sure, and this helped to allay that a bit and made me realise I'm not lost and I do have a plan (of sorts ).

I've also joined another professional body who's work I really admire. It's £42 a year but I definitely view it as an investment.

I've worked out next month I should earn about £250 extra on top of my salary, not counting any expenses, so that figure could be higher with luck. This has made me think perhaps my course isn't unachievable and I might be able to save the majority of the funds in time. I spoke to the university today and they said it's more likely to be £500, so if I could earn that over the next two months, I'm sorted. I'm going to play it by ear and see what happens.

I paid £3 off my credit card yesterday. Not much but it all counts :T just waiting for payday on Thursday now. Counting down the seconds lol.

lcc86

Last day before payday :j I worked last night until 11pm so am knackered.

Realised today that I've had about a week of personal NSD's and all I've bought is fresh veg, so I know I can do it when I put my mind to it. I do need to buy hair dye to do my roots which will cost £4. On the petrol front it's looking good too, two-thirds of a tank left and I topped up about 2 weeks ago :rotfl:

lcc86

Payday today :T feels like it's been a very long time coming! Worked out I had a "spare" £28 unallocated to anything, so I paid it off the credit card this morning (I'd only spend it otherwise). I have about £95 to clear from that card now, really going to try my best to clear it completely this month if I can.

Also made payment for my sofa, only one payment of £55 to go and then that's cleared too.

Had my shopping delivered last night and got a voucher for cheaper fuel each time I top up in August. While it means going to a specific petrol station, I'm in the area quite regularly for work so I'll take advantage of that for sure. Feeling very MSE today! :money:

On a personal note, I've been for a run and done a quick meditation session this morning, and am now drinking my breakfast smoothie. Love having more time of a morning, really sets me up for a good day.

lcc86

Had a couple of spends today:

£24 on fuel (used my voucher too so saved some money)
£19.98 on a horse riding helmet - budgeted for and made sense as I plan on continuing this for the foreseeable future
£4.95 on lunch - this was unplanned but I met up with two friends for lunch. This will come out of my unallocated weekly budget of £10 so it won't affect my overall budget in any way

I've dyed my roots this evening and done some batch cooking for the freezer. Off to a friend's leaving drinks tomorrow but I'm driving so I'll just be buying cola or soda, no real worries there.

I'm due to hold a bit of a gathering for some friends in a few weeks for the first time as my friends always host them so I'd like to do the same for them, plus one of my friends is moving away so it'll be like a little send off. Everyone will bring something to eat or drink, but as the host I'll obviously need to provide some stuff, and I'm determined to do it in true MSE style and see what offers etc I can make use of :money: