LullaBelle's long road to being debt free!

LullaBelle

Good Morning,


Another week... can you believe it's October next week? The weeks are just flying by.


Not much to report with me. I am still spending as little as possible. I am hoping to make it through most of this week without spending anything at all. I have all the meals planned for the week ahead. I made a massive pot of soup yesterday so that is lunches sorted for the week too.


I have found a free class to take my daughter to on Thursdays. I used to pay £29 every 6 weeks to take her to another class but this one is just as good and it's free. So that's a bit more money saved every month. I had budgeted for that in my SOA so that can now be updated too.


The bank account is still looking healthy so far this month. We still have 3 more weeks until payday - this is a longer month. I should be getting an extra few pounds in October and November's pay.


We are going to need oil soon but I have the money already saved for that. I put aside money every month for this so at least that's less money I have to find. I think I am doing ok with having my little sealed pots for some things but there is definitely room for improvement!


I cleared out more stuff from the attic that is suitable for a boot sale. I'm hoping to go to one next weekend to hopefully make a bit of extra cash.


Anyway, it's all positive from me today. Long may it last :-)

LullaBelle

Good morning,


I have just seen that Smyth's Toys have £10 off when you spend £50, £20 off when you spend £100 etc. I was waiting on a sale happening there so I can get my daughters bike. I have the money saved in £2 coins so I will bring them into work tomorrow and get them changed to notes. That will be my daughter sorted for Christmas then, and all within budget too!


I did the food shopping last night for the week. I didn't need too much so it came in under budget too. I usually allow £40 per week but this week I only spent £13.

kindofagilr

Smyths is fab isn't it
We just nipped there yesterday as we play lego dimensions, they are no longer making it, so we are on a mission to get all the sets etc, there is 62 altogether and we now only need 12, it's still being supported etc so you are always going to be able to play it still
Anyway, smyths had them all 50% off which is fab, so managed to get a few xx

LullaBelle

Hi everyone,


I haven't been on much lately. I have been crazy busy with work. I don't usually work Thursdays or Friday's but I am for the next 3 weeks. That's 6 extra days pay for me. The money side is great, but I am missing my daughter so much!


Being in work all week has stopped me from spending money though. I haven't used the account all week. I haven't had any time to do food shopping this week so I am using up things from the freezer. It's saving me a fortune. 11 more days until payday. Looking forward to seeing the debts going down again. We haven't got into any more debt since April so that is 6 full months of debt busting. I am definitely not going back!


October is usually an expensive month for us. My car is up for MOT and I need to get my car taxed too. Luckily I have the money saved for this already. In previous years this would all have went on a credit card. I am loving my new mind frame :-)

LullaBelle

Good morning everyone,


Monday again :-( Worked an extra 2 days last week and I'm doing the same this week. I will get the money for my extra days in November.


This time next week is pay day. I am due an extra days pay in that so hopefully it comes through ok! Looking forward to clearing some more debt now.


Won't be spending much this week. I did a food shop on Saturday (spent £41) so the only thing I need is petrol to keep me going.


Have a fab week!

LullaBelle

Hi everyone,


Payday was yesterday so another chunk has gone off the debts. Total debts are:


Virgin £4580
DH Virgin £5793.20
Loan: £15219.75
Sofa: £754.56
Total £26347.51


Total paid so far this month £547.08. I paid an extra £20 off the loan this morning. It's only small but at least it is something. I'm being a bit conservative here as I think I might need new tyres for my car this month before the MOT. I have some money saved but not sure if it will be enough so want to keep some money back for this.


Today I transferred money into my separate accounts. £20 into Christmas 2019 fund (yes, I am being super organised), £20 into a holiday fund (we might not get away next year but I'm going to try to save a bit just incase. If we don't use it, it can go towards a debt instead), £15 into car maintenance fund.


DH gets paid tomorrow so I will be able to move a bit more money around then.


So, onto month 7 of debt busting :-)

Chrystal

Hi LullaBelle :wave:

It sounds as though you're really getting things under control, which is brilliant, and it;s amazing how small over payments add up over time.

Glad you've got your 'pots' organised, I think it will make an enormous difference for you.

Agree with you about keeping back some money for the car - you don't want to have to use a card ! :eek:
It also sounds as though you're really organised for Christmas, which takes away an enormous amount of stress, so well done to you.

Keep on keeping on. X

LullaBelle

Hi Chrystal, hope you're well. Thanks for stopping by. I have taken your advice of having separate pots. Next year is going to be so much easier for me now that I have started saving for all the big bills already. So thanks for the tip! xx

LullaBelle

Hi everyone,


What an expensive month already. I need 2 new tyres for the car costing £100 for both and I need new break pads. I have to get all that sorted this weekend before MOT next weekend. Once my car has gone through MOT (fingers crossed it passes) then I need to tax the car so that's another £140. October is such an expensive month. Better budgeting will make this easier for me next year though!


Other than that all is quiet with me. I am enjoying the peace before the madness of Christmas starts soon!


TFI Friday!!!

LullaBelle

Good morning,


Monday again! I got my tyres for the car at the weekend...£100 for both. But at least it's done now.


I have also decided to give up slimming world. The past 3 weeks I have stayed the same. I'm not going to pay someone £5 a week to tell me that I'm not losing any weight. So my plan is to weigh in at home on a Friday morning and still put the £5 in my sealed tin. That would be £260 in a year saved. Better off in my pocket! So I am going to try and get out walking as much as I can too - free exercise and good for the mind!


I don't plan on spending much this week, maybe just a small top up shop of fruit/veg etc. I am going to use as much freezer food as I can. We are having a party for Halloween in our house this year so I need to keep spends as low as possible for that. I have a few vouchers that I am going to use. I got one for free crisps so that's that covered! ;-) My mum has bought us all the sweets already so I shouldn't really need too much. I will try and get some good offers.


Anyway, have a lovely week everyone!