A new debt free journey

lcc86

Good news this morning, my MOT and service came in at £125, so I paid an additional £50 off my credit card last night :j

I also received a letter yesterday from MBNA offering a 0% balance transfer for a year. I'm currently paying about £5 a month interest on Barclaycard, so have applied to switch my balance over. I don't ever use the MBNA card, and only use the Barclaycard for emergencies, but worked out it would end up cheaper for me doing it this way over the next year as I don't have much spare cash to throw at it. Doing it this way saves me money on interest and I can focus on paying a set amount for the next year.

Today plans are for more studying (finally getting in gear so need to roll with it!) and I need to pick up some milk, butter and fresh veg, so won't be a nsd but costs will be minimal :money:

lcc86

This morning I tallied up my debt situation following the vet problems and now that the majority of my direct debits have gone through I have a better idea of the picture, and it's not a good one! :mad:

Unfortunately the debt has gone up to £9200 approximately with all the vet bills. And my emergency fund now stands at a grand total of £0!

Not really sure what to do now in terms of whether to focus on blitzing the debt back down or building up the emergency fund again. I have plenty of time to think about it as I don't have a spare penny to throw at my debts this month so no rush to make any decisions. Next month I'll have a little extra available, but this month is all about plodding along and not adding any more money to the debt.

It is difficult when you don't appear to be making any progress, at least on the surface. Just have to focus on continuing to do my best this month, spending as little as possible, and focusing on the future. I'm desperately hoping I can sort my job situation out in the next month, but if it doesn't happen then so be it. I'm also going to try and cut my commuting costs by working more flexibly and from different locations wherever possible.

Today I'm going to feed some local ducks and visit a relative. Tomorrow I have a day out with friends (prepaid a few months ago so can't back out). Only costs should be petrol and the odd hot drink if the weather is cold, as we're outdoors all day.

I should also get my Glastonbury deposit back soon as I can't afford to go, so that can go straight towards the credit card :T oh well, there's always next year! :rotfl:

lcc86

Budgeted £20 for my trip yesterday and only spent £14! :beer: had a great day and didn't scrimp, so really chuffed with that.

My plan is to keep the remaining £6 in my wallet and try to use it for next week's allowance. I usually give myself £10 a week to spend on whatever I want but don't always spend it. It's not much but it all counts!

Back to work tomorrow after 10 days off and I'm really, REALLY dreading it. Just need to keep my head down and get on with it. I've applied for so many jobs that hopefully something will come up soon. Just need to take it day by day. I have a follow up appointment with my doctor next week too so I'll be honest about how I've been coping and see what he says.

lcc86

Didn't quite manage a NSD yesterday, really struggled at work and spent 59p on a bar of chocolate at lunchtime. Totally unnecessary in hindsight but not gonna beat myself up over it!

Went for a walk in the evening sunshine after work, felt amazing. Today I have a planned NSD and doctors appointment later this evening.

lcc86

Paid an extra £2.54 off my credit card this morning. My balance transfer has also been approved, so no need to worry about interest for a while. That gives me peace of mind and helps me plan. Three long weeks till pay day still though :eek:

Visited the doctor, who thinks my work situation is at the root of my problems I.e. My financial issues, stress levels and quality of life can all be traced back to that. Gives me more impetus to sort it out I suppose.

Did an online shop last night which should see me through to the end of the month, with the exception of a few fresh bits and bobs which I'll buy as and when needed. I must say I'm finding online shopping a great way of keeping track of what I've spent and what I need. I don't forget what's in the cupboards, I don't miss things off the list, and I don't just add random stuff to the trolley! I never considered it before because I can physically get to the shops so never saw the 'need', but I'm a convert!

lcc86

Okay yesterday was a bit spendy, had to buy essential toiletries and pay for a prescription, but it's all come out of my weekly allowance so no problems there. I've also spent on fuel to visit parents but again that was budgeted for well in advance. I generally come in under budget on fuel but like to overestimate as it makes me feel better about it.

I have two interviews next week, one for a full-time job and another for a further zero hours job.

Next week I don't have many spends planned. I run my week from Thursday to Wednesday as I always get paid on the last Thursday of every month. In fact I don't have any planned purchases for the rest of thr month with the exception of parking sometimes (I have to pay outside home at certain times of day) and toiletries if I need any, but think I'm covered.

With my balance transfer sorted I'm going to work out what I need to pay monthly to clear it before the 0% ends. Then I guess it would make sense to try and overpay my loan instead as that costs me money in interest!!

lcc86

Had an NSD yesterday with the parents as I felt ill most of the day! Wasn't great but feeling better today. I'll need to top up with fuel before driving home but I should have plenty left in the tank to get me to work for maybe two days next week.

Feel a bit out of it because of being ill but I'm feeling a bit more positive than I have done in the last week. Long may it continue.

Worked out I need to pay £60 a month off my credit card over the next 12 months in order to clear it before the 0% runs out. Based on my current earnings it doesn't leave a great deal left over to put towards my loan but I'm sure I can work something out here and there. I will be £50 a month better off from June after paying for my fridge and freezer, and a further £50 a month better off in August after finishing repaying my parents, so there's scope there for extra loan repayments if I just keep plodding on!

lcc86

Set up a standing order this morning to pay £60 a month off my credit card, now I know I won't be tempted to just make the minimum payment and then spend the difference!

I've made the difficult decision to drop out of my postgraduate course. It's all been paid for so I've really tried to keep at it and push myself but I just haven't got the motivation with everything that's going on at the moment. It's not something I've done lightly but I need to get a better balance in my life and I'm not enjoying most things right now. I've not met any of my lifestyle based targets this month or last. Financially the month has been okay with the exception of the vet bill, and I feel okay going forwards knowing I've only got 4 months until one debt is cleared and 11 months until the second is cleared.

lcc86

Been a quiet few days. Spent £38 on food shopping and £25 on petrol but apart from that nothing else has been spent

Received my £35 Glastonbury deposit back and had £3.60 left from my weekly budget so paid both of those off the credit card :beer:

lcc86

Yesterday was a stressful day, two job interviews and generally rushing around all day. I feel both interviews went quite well, something I never normally feel. Fingers crossed one of them comes through. One is the same salary I'm on now but within walking distance, so would save me a fortune on fuel. The other is less money than I'm on now but much closer to home and with the option of overtime. I should hear by the middle of next week. I also have another interview on Monday so took a day off work.

In other job-related news, I've secured another zero hours job, so now have two zero hours jobs to go alongside my main job. This one involves some sleeping night work so in theory I could get paid to sleep :j

In general the job situation is looking up. Even if I don't get any of the jobs I've gone for this time, it's a step in the right direction and valuable interview experience.

Other than that, I've only spent £2.70 on parking which was an unfortunate necessity. I need some washing powder today as have washing to do and hadn't realised I'd run out, but will see what's on offer in £land, and have no further spending planned this weekend.