A new debt free journey

lcc86

Well it's the end of another year, and when I look back at where I was this time last year, I really couldn't have even dreamed I'd be where I am now. Almost debt free and in a new home, settled into a new job, doing some really rewarding volunteering, about to become an aunt, got myself back in shape physically and mentally, and generally feeling like I'm FINALLY getting a handle on life (about time at 30!). All in all 2016 has been a great year, although it hasn't been easy! I'll list some 2017 goals below. Whether I'll be back this time next year to review them is still up for debate. Maybe I'll pop back from time to time?

1. Become completely debt free by the end of Feb 2017 - this should be doable based on my calculations considering I only have about £300 to pay off :rotfl: No excuses! :j

2. Get my riding up to an acceptable standard (for me) - I want to get to the point where I'm more confident, and no longer need to have weekly/fortnightly lessons just to keep up. I'm almost there, just need to push a bit harder, and I know I can do this in 2017.

3. Book a dream holiday - I want to go back to Australia in 2018, so I want to book the flights some time next year. Last time, I used debt to finance my travels, this time I most definitely will NOT!

4. Keep up with the exercise and healthy living - I don't think this will be an issue, I've been exercising regularly now for a year so it's a habit. I just want to keep it up and get into slightly better shape. I also want to keep up my vegetarianism.

5. Fix my tattoos - I have a couple of small ones I've wanted to sort for years, and should finally have the money to do so, so no more procrastinating! Whether it's a cover up or laser removal, time to sort the problem out!

6. Decorate the house - there isn't much to do here but if I set a target of 12 months then it gives me motivation. All the rooms need painting, the spare room needs to become a little den, and it would be nice to change the kitchen and bathroom floors. Now that I write it all down, it's really not that daunting a task.

7. And finally, make 2017 the year of "doing" - I'm not going to set a target of doing X new things a month, but I do want to be a bit more mindful about what I spend my money on once I'm debt free. When I think about buying something, I want to pause and think what I could do with that money, whether it's horse riding, a day out, saving towards my Oz trip etc. I hope that'll make me think more about my purchases - big or small - and whether I really need to be making them or whether I just "want" something for the sake of it.

Hope everyone has a fab new year and are ready for the challenges of 2017!

[Deleted User]

Happy New Year lovely xx

lcc86

Deleted_User wrote: »

Happy New Year lovely xx

You too! :beer:

Orange_Ena

What a great year you've had. Here's to a fabulous 2017!

lcc86

Happy 2017 all!

I was VERY naughty last night and booked a holiday for July. We shall be returning to Ibiza. £50 deposit, the rest due in instalments between now and June. If you can't have fun while you're young and once you're debt free, what's the point eh! :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Happy new year xx

lcc86

I decided to join the 365 day penny challenge this year. Opened a new savings account especially for this purpose, so have transferred £1.01 to get started as the minimum balance was £1 to open the account.

Today I haven't done much, went for a walk for about an hour and did a bit of cleaning. Got up quite late - 10am,super late for me! Need to get back in my routine ready for work on Wednesday. Also racked up my first NSD of the month.

Tomorrow I've booked a 2 hour horse ride, that should keep me busy and tire me out!

lcc86

Not the best day today, both mine and OH's cars have decided to play up... What are the chances! Mine was rectified - temporarily at least - with a call to my breakdown company who cleared the fault codes. Still have to replace a part sooner rather than later though, am thinking probably £200 to resolve :mad: OH's I'm not sure about. We are just about to get some minor electrical work done at home so will have to put that off now. I'll be using some of the money I was saving towards my service for this now, and the rest will have to come from my housey fund. It is what it is, and at least the savings are there. It's just annoying!

Went riding today, it was okay, a couple of the horses were a bit flighty which always unnerves me. I have a lesson booked this Saturday and am thinking of having a rest in Feb from riding - it's a short month anyway and I could do with the money now!

lcc86

A bit angry with myself this morning, I was going through my finances just checking how things were ticking over as lots of bills went through today, and I've completely screwed up. I've somehow underestimated my personal spending for the month. I always plan out things I want to buy/do for the month and the estimated cost. I've screwed up by over £100. No idea how I did it. It means I'll have to cancel my horse riding for the rest of the month to balance the books. Obviously no big deal as the bills are covered and we can eat, which of course are the main things to worry about!!! But I'm just annoyed at myself for screwing up something so basic :mad:

I also lent my car to OH as I'm not at work today and the warning light has come back on so it's not working properly. It's all going on! That means I'll have to try and source the part today if I can and walk/cycle to go and get it if so. Did have plans for some dog walking and meeting friends but may have to cancel that. On top of the repairs I'll also have to get the train to work tomorrow, another £30 down the drain, although I'm working from on Thursday so I pray I can get it fixed by Friday.

Just when I thought things were starting to run smoothly eh

lcc86

Okay so I've calmed down a bit from this morning. I sat and went through my budget, worked out where I went wrong (just a simple case of not adding things up right and then not checking) and worked out what I can afford to cut and what can stay. Panic over. It'll still be relatively tight but then, isn't January always?

Car-wise, I nearly had a fit when Toyota told me the part is £195... Paid it using my credit card. I have paid £100 off already, and will pay the remaining £95 next month. I was going to have the car serviced next month, but will pay this off instead and wait until March. Again, panic over. It might be okay to drive to work tomorrow instead of getting the train but we'll see what OH reports when he comes home. I'd do ANYTHING to avoid using the train given how unreliable they are around here.

So all in all, not the best day, but once I'd stopped panicking and actually sat down and worked things out logically I remembered it's not the end of the world, I can stop thinking the world's about to end and cancel all social events forever! :rotfl: overreaction much eh I think I'm still a bit panicky as maybe 12 months ago this would've all had to go on the credit card and it would've screwed me right over. Yes I still don't have an emergency fund, but the money was there, albeit in a different pot, and I can pay back the rest in a few weeks.

As for today, it's been pretty chilled, just been reading, worked out, and went for a nice long dog walk. I will meet my friends in the pub later, but the plan was only ever to have soft drinks, and I'll stick to that so I know there's no need to panic and feel guilty about it.