A new debt free journey

crazy_cat_lady

I like your idea of setting targets and reviewing at the end of the month. I always am more accountable if I write everything down, so if you don't mind I'm going to steal it from you. It's a big 32 days until my last payment (hopefully) goes to Stepchange...
You've had a good October - fingers crossed for the same again in November.

lcc86

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

I like your idea of setting targets and reviewing at the end of the month. I always am more accountable if I write everything down, so if you don't mind I'm going to steal it from you. It's a big 32 days until my last payment (hopefully) goes to Stepchange...
You've had a good October - fingers crossed for the same again in November.

No problem about stealing it, I probably stole it from somewhere myself anyway!! Congrats on almost being free from your DMP, can't wait to read your debt free post :beer:

lcc86

Aaaagh halfway through the weekend already! Where does this free time go?! :eek: It's been a good one thus far though. This morning I met up with an old colleague and good friend for coffee. She's always so positive despite having been through some really tough times these last couple of years, she's definitely a good influence! We ended up doing a bit of clothes shopping, which was planned, and I picked up some bits for work. I did go slightly over budget but I had the spare cash to allow for it for a change. Ordinarily I would've used my credit card but I knew I had some money and I don't want to get back into bad habits again! I've also done some studying which is going well thus far.

I was filling out some paperwork for my new job earlier, and needed a copy of my bank statement. While looking for it I stumbled across one of OH's statements and saw he has nearly £2000 in savings. He's never been in debt, has always been good with money but I didn't realise just how good I must admit I'm jealous as I wish I had that amount in my savings! It's got me thinking of how to save a bit of money, so I've decided that once or twice a week I'll round down my accounts and transfer the pennies into my savings. It isn't much but it all helps.

I've also been thinking about what to do when I'm finally debt free! I have all these grand plans of upsizing my home, being able to do kooky things like buy a beach hut or a camper van, when in reality, I just need to take a step back and realise what I really need. And that is to have some savings behind me for the first time in my life! Obviously I have about 16 months until I'm debt free and a lot could change in that time, but I need to be sensible. Besides, if I really want a camper van or a beach hut, I can rent one for a few hundred quid instead of spending thousands on buying one, let alone maintenance!!!

I'm planning on an early night tonight (as in, as soon as I've finished typing this!), then I have booked two dog walking sessions tomorrow through borrow my doggy.com, so I'll be getting some good exercise in. I also need to do some more studying and a bit of cleaning.

Next week is another busy one at work, with an additional shift at my bank job on Monday evening. I have a few late finishes and no space available to take the time back next week either! I need to visit my new employer to sort out my final paperwork on Tuesday morning, so I'll get an indication of the journey as I know I'll need to drive sometimes. I'm also due to give blood on Thursday evening and am working on Saturday and Sunday (my final shift at my bank job). I only have two weeks left then I have a week off before starting my new job. Getting very excited but also really apprehensive as this is a BIG step up for me.

Right, signing off now, going to quickly round down my pennies and transfer them and then off to sleep!

lcc86

Today has been lovely, I've met some really nice people and their dogs. Glad I decided to do this, really looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the outdoors again.

In terms of spending, I did a quick top up shop, and bought a couple of things online for OH's birthday which is in a few weeks' time. I shouldn't need to spend anything over the next few days with any luck. The fridge is full, cupboards are full and car is brimmed with petrol so provided I don't splurge on anything unnecessary I'm okay! Think I might even be brave and take my purse out of my bag so that I can't spend.

barnsleylass83

Sounds like a really good way to get out and about! My hubby leaves his cards at home so he is not tempted and I dont carry any cash arojnd when I go to work so I have got out of the habit of spending, if its not there I can't spend it!,

lcc86

Hi barnsleylass, I've taken the plunge and left the purse at home, don't need it until Wednesday anyway.

Most of my direct debits have gone out this morning, have paid off 22%, signature updated. Itching to pay that 3% extra to hit my end of year target!

barnsleylass83

Well done you, it works believe me, I love looking in my purse and seeing lots of money in there, its a challenge to see how little I can spend x

lcc86

Well yesterday was an easy NSD. Today my OH asked me to go to toby carvery for dinner. As I'm veggie it was less than £5, and I had tap water, so we treated ourselves. As I knew it wasn't going to be a NSD after all I bought a couple of things I needed for the pets too after work, £4 spent.

Tomorrow I have a lunch with work, it should cost £10 (I'd budgeted £20 but know what I'm having now, so used some of that spare cash to pay for my carvery tonight). We also have a 25% off voucher so that'll help. I also need to do a shop tomorrow. Not much else to report, will sweep my pennies tomorrow evening/Thursday morning but that's about it!

lcc86

The meal yesterday came in at £10, so I used the remaining £5 to help with my food shop later that day. I also bought a stamp and a couple of leaving cards, but that all came in under £2.

I swept my pennies over this morning, less than £1 but it'll all add up eventually! Having an NSD today and tomorrow, I'll need to pay for horse riding on Saturday though so won't hit this week's NSD target unfortunately.

Not much else to report, work is busy, can't believe I only have 6 days left :eek: Things are happening so fast! Right better get back to work

lcc86

So I may have a slight issue, as one of my references for work has taken a little longer than expected it could push my start date back by a week. Luckily I've put £300 in my savings to help cover expenses for next month anyway but it could mean I'm officially unemployed for one week. Hopefully it won't happen but if worst comes to the worst I will have to use my holiday savings for travel and food and then pay it back with my first pay check, just to ensure I have enough in my bank account to cover all bills. Far from ideal and I want to avoid that situation if at all possible, but I guess that'll teach me for being a bit too eager of a beaver! Still, it's good to have that £300 backup, if I didn't have that I'd be really worrying!

I have to take a guinea pig to the vet for something minor this evening. I'm going to use the vet fund so technically I'll still be able to call it a NSD! I'm glad I've put that money aside (think there's a theme emerging here). I'm annoyed that I have to dip into it but that's what it's for!