Glass half full......let's do this!

Bears2014

Hi everyone,

I'm quite new to the forum but have floated around MSE site for a couple of years. With a new look at finances yesterday, decided that I would like to start a diary to track the process of hopefully getting our debt down by quite a bit in 2015.

So a little bit of background, we are a couple who have not long moved in together (1 year) and have debts from when we moved in and furnished the house and a family holiday. We've decided that our aim would be to be debt free by Christmas 2016 (or possibly sooner).

So, last night I looked at the finances and done a proper plan of checking when payments are due, when 0% finishes, remaining amounts etc and have it all marked out ready to tackle.

One of my aims, which I noted on another tread, was to try and get a part time job to go along my current job which would all be marked for debt repayment. So yesterday I sent off some application forms and CVs to companies that I know are currently recruiting....fingers crossed. Also started a £2 a day challenge with bf to ease either some debt or to go towards Christmas etc.

Other motivation for this year is to continue on our healthy lifestyle plan. We're doing well so far and cutting down (snack foods etc) and upping our exercises. We are generally positive thinking people so hopefully this will help towards our debt free dream.

I will keep this updated as much as I can as I feel motivated at the prospect of getting us debt free (apart from mortage) by Christmas 2016.

Thanks for reading

Bears2014

So a small update.

Woke up this morning on my day off and feel very positive still about getting this debt management underway.

Told BF that I had started a £1 a day challenge (I was going to make it a surprise nearer Christmas, however I thought it best to do it together as we have with the rest of our money management), he was very keen and is starting £1 also...so far we've got a combined amount of £16 (backdated it to the 1st)....good start! This will probably go towards some payments that have to be made nearer Christmas and some towards Christmas itself.

I've sorted a lot of items of car boot etc and will take photos of these later once I get back in the house.

I have had another look online for other jobs and have noted down ones to apply for to go alongside my current job. One in particular I have applied for would be ideal....fingers and toe crossed!

The next couple of months should be good for some little debts being paid off.

BF will be hopefully calling Virgin Media today to downgrade as they have advised they will be bumping up our cost per month by £5.

I managed to get some really nice cards that were cheap and made sure I got enough for most of the birthdays in our family.

I will hopefully get my hands on a diary today (I always use one for work and sometimes meal planning), really want to knuckle down on getting my days in plan and planning meals etc.

X

Bears2014

Well a small update but a positive one.

BF spoke to Virgin Media and managed to get the package reduced by £8 a month....good start.

Found out that our bike finances finish in a couple of month and we will therefore be approx £100 a month better off.

Bears2014

Tomorrow (well really later today...just noticed the time!), it is my plan to sort through items to sell either online or at a car boot.

Would be helpful to have some extra space and the money would be helpful to pay off some money from our cards.

I'm just having some time online to see if I can find any jobs that may be suitable to go alongside my current job. I can't sleep with the noise from the wind outside so thought I would use my time to look for more work. Fingers crossed!

edinburghlad

Sounds like your making good progress towards achieving your goal. Good luck

Bears2014

edinburghlad wrote: »

Sounds like your making good progress towards achieving your goal. Good luck

Thanks! Fingers crossed.

Got a bit of an unexpected payout tomorrow for some repairs that need doing but fingers crossed they won't be too bad.....hopefully!

Westie983

Good luck and following your challenge I to have started 2015 with the idea to save my 2 pounds and also to pay off my credit cards before the nought percent offers end, there is something quite satisfying saving 2 pound coins

After being off sick for nine months 2015 is the year to save up the emergency fund.

Good luck

Westie983

Bears2014

Westie983 wrote: »

Good luck and following your challenge I to have started 2015 with the idea to save my 2 pounds and also to pay off my credit cards before the nought percent offers end, there is something quite satisfying saving 2 pound coins

After being off sick for nine months 2015 is the year to save up the emergency fund.

Good luck

Westie983

Hi and thanks, I already feel that 2015 will be a positive step for us to improve our lifestyle and fingers crossed we will continue as we have started.
Good luck with the challenges and I hope they go well. I like to note down each day in my diary that £2 has been saved and yes, it's very satisfying! I'm going to have a quick look now for the £2 for today....never too early in the day to find some pennies!

Westie983

I have a tin which has a spreadsheet wrapped around it as I am doing 52 week challenge which means I can save my £2 and try to build up a emergency fund without breaking the bank far easier for the mind to save coins then notes.

I have been collecting coins since I started collecting the Olympic 50p then moved onto £2 and have a ceramic money box for odd coins soon mount up.

Bears2014

Westie983 wrote: »

I have a tin which has a spreadsheet wrapped around it as I am doing 52 week challenge which means I can save my £2 and try to build up a emergency fund without breaking the bank far easier for the mind to save coins then notes.

I have been collecting coins since I started collecting the Olympic 50p then moved onto £2 and have a ceramic money box for odd coins soon mount up.

Good luck with it all.....completely agree that it's easier to save the coins rather than paper money.....doesn't feel so heavy hitting

Bears2014

So a great thing happened today with one of our cards.

Basically I love doing all the finance things and unfortunately (even though I have a very planned out repayment plan!) I was late with one payment. Normally always well before the due date but with Christmas etc I got a little confuddled and made a mistake.

We thought it would then be a case of just trying to pay it off as quickly as possible although the interest would be huge each month.

BF called them today and explained that we normally are very good and we said sorry for the late payment (think 3 days late). The lovely person on the end of the phone managed to get our interest free period reinstated (just have to pay a small fee and also some interest for this payment).

I thought we may end up getting into a position which we have avoided so far with transferring balances where possible, it feels like a little win....:)