A new debt free journey

lcc86

Just a quick note to say I've checked through my credit report and everything is fine, nothing unexpected and not a missed payment in sight! the only thing I'm unsure of is the searches by insurance companies in relation to my car insurance. There's an awful lot of searches on there and I don't know if this is a bad thing at all?

Have done loads of chores and boring stuff today. Tomorrow promises more of the same lol.

lcc86

Done my chores for the day already so just going to potter about for the remainder. I had to buy some bits for the guinea pigs this morning but all budgeted for, and I took £40 out to pay for petrol the next time I visit my parents, again budgeted for.

I have a really busy week with work, volunteering and training, so I decided to do an online shop to save me some time as I'm working long hours. As I've paid £1 for delivery, I thought I'd stock up on all freezables and bits for the cupboard just to get the best value.

Submitted some more evidence for my parking ticket, I should hopefully hear the result by the end of the month. Tbh even if it doesn't go my way I'm going to challenge it further so I just want to know the outcome so that I know what I need to do moving forward.

I've been thinking of challenges for October, looked through the debt free challenges thread but can't see anything that I think will fit (although there's still time). I think I'm going to aim for 4 NSD's each week as October is going to be a long month for me (5 weeks between paydays). Either that or possibly the PAD challenge, but I'm unsure if i can manage that one just yet. I'll review September's targets and set October's next weekend.

lcc86

Just a flying visit to say I've paid £20 extra off my loan, I'll update my signature once I get a letter confirming it :j

lcc86

Payday today and it's the first time in years that I've had spare money left over after every single thing is budgeted for, including savings, day to day expenses and extra debt repayments. I guess having three jobs pays off eventually! Lol. I've paid £80 extra off one credit card and should have some extra to throw at my debts throughout October.

crazy_cat_lady

That must be such a good feeling - having leftover cash. I am looking forward to that day.

lcc86

Thanks CCL, I might buy some new boots (£30) for work for the winter, and may possibly need a dentist appointment as two of my wisdom teeth are hurting, but apart from that I want to use that money as wisely as possible! The good thing about being so busy I guess is that I don't have time to spend the money haha.

Paid £25 extra off my credit card today.

lcc86

Okay I thought now would be a good time to recap my September goals and set October's:

1. Sign up to another 10k (provided the first one doesn't kill me) - didn't achieve this! No excuse either! :eek:
2. Clear Barclaycard completely - not quite but it will be cleared DEFINITELY this month.
3. Stick to food budget meticulously - I did do this but still went over as I think I'd been too optimistic now I've got OH to feed as well, so I've upped the budget now.
4. No alcohol - achieved easily :rotfl:

I also added a fifth, which was no junk food or cakes, and I stuck to that too

So onto October:
1. Practice assertiveness at work - I'm not assertive enough and feel guilty whenever I say no to something, so this is something I actively need to work on.
2. No alcohol - I want to remain T total until Christmas but setting a target will help me stick to it.
3. Exercise three times a week - I'm still a bit up and down with this so want to set it as a target again to push me to do it.
4. Prioritise home life and downtime - I guess this goes alongside being assertive and learning to say no. But also I want to make sure I have time for friends.
5. Four no spend days per week.
6. Payment a day challenge between September and October's paydays.

So yesterday was my first NSD, and I've also made a payment yesterday and today so a good start all round!!

lcc86

I met up with a friend this morning for coffee and cake, spent about £6 from my unallocated allowance. I've also stocked up on pet stuff and a couple of fresh bits from the supermarket. I found some boots in dotty p's for £22.50 so decided to buy them.

I've made 5 stuffed peppers since I came home, have currently got some beef bourgignon in the oven and will be making some lamb tagine later as well. That'll get us sorted on the food front for quite a while. Not much else planned this weekend.

Today hasn't been an NSD for the above reasons, but tomorrow should be. I've made my PAD earlier, only £1 today so more tokenistic than anything else. At this stage, with 4 and a half weeks until my next payday, I don't want to go overboard with extra payments just in case, so on some days I'll pay more than others.

I submitted a meter reading yesterday and my account is £33 in credit, I've decided to leave that on my account with winter approaching. I usually don't need my heating on until November but I'd rather be in credit than debit!

I feel like I'm getting on top of things at the moment. I've got a little extra income to play with, I'm overpaying my debt, and work has been so enjoyable for the last month or so. I'm not constantly thinking "what next" in terms of career and I'm not stressing constantly over my debt. I also bought some zinc tablets recently after reading on another thread that they act like a natural antidepressant. Perhaps it's a placebo effect or perhaps they really do work. Either way I'm feeling better in general so hopefully it won't be too long until I can start the process of coming off antidepressants.

lincs1205

Hi lcc, just wanted to stop by and say hi, I've just read your diary from the beginning and you've done amazingly i seriously need some of your willpower and motivation. I also intend to be alcohol free as from the beginning of October until Christmas.

lcc86

Thanks Lincs, I've just read through yours too and subscribed. Sometimes I feel like I contradict myself on here but hey ho, we're all human and entitled to change our minds while on our journeys.