This really is the end

Determined14

Right I need to stop and do some damage control again, I've had a momentary relapse and it's not awful I just need to move some money round and make my debt payments. I think I need to leave my CC at home so it's not calling me and I definitely need to unlink it from my online shopping accounts as it's far too easy to just click and spend without even having to get my purse out.

Off to look at some challenges to try and keep my motivated

Determined14

Ok so I've just put all of my debt into a spreadsheet along with realistic debt repayments and that forecasts that I should be debt free in 31 months so by Dec 2017, to me this feels too far and I know I need to be realistic but I also know that I want to move house and have another baby soon so I really need get strict with myself and start trying to make the small overpayments 1) to keep morale up 2) because they really quickly add up. I used to sell lots of things and also round down my accounts and transfer the rest over to my debt and whilst this is just pennies it does make a difference over time.

The one point I need to be really strict about though is that I start 2018 debt free - that is the goal and whilst I might have ups and downs this is what I need to keep working towards!

Determined14

Determined14 wrote: »

Debt Figures as of 14/5/15

CC1 (17.4%): £0.00
CC2 (0%): £3061.33
CC3 (0%): £7928.50
Total: £10,989.83

So below £11k but I have a feeling that a transaction hasn't gone through on one of my cards yet which will push me back up

Determined14

A bit of a spendy weekend but still on track, I think. I've made the decision to take my credit card out of my purse, I spend on it when I'm not sure how much is in my current account which shouldn't be the case. If I don't know if I have the money then why am I spending it? So that's the way I'm aiming to work going forwards.

Bobarella

Sorry I havent commented sooner, for some reason I wasnt getting alerts on your posts.

I sympathise with the feeling you've mentioned about feeling you'll never get there. Or that someone keeps moving the goal posts. But all the things you are doing are stopping you going more into debt & that is the hard part for us about our journey, the things we ARENT doing are a huge part of this, but the feeling of deprivation & slog can be so overwhelming.

I am personally focusing on the £500 mark each time, rather than seeing the whole debt. So at the moment I am trying to get to £4.5k as my next achievement point. I have barely any disposable income & an income that is highly variable due to being self employed, so it feels very hard sometimes only being able to knock £100 off here and there, but it IS all working & you'll get there & so will I, if only we keep saying the mantras of Martin 'Do you need it? Can you afford it?'
Go us!

Determined14

It's been a while since I last posted, I'm finding it really hard to be committed, well not committed but to make things work! I spoke to DH about it all last night and we've agreed to set up a separate account for food which we both pay into and also that we'll up our contributions to the main join account to include birthdays so that's covered for the year which makes me feel slightly better.

I've also removed the one click ordering from my current account and need to make a list of sites to remove my card details through so that I don't just spend without thinking as that's my downfall. DH and I also now have a whatsapp group where we have to report our spending (in a non blame way but still with some accountability) and we are both very onboard with the fact that we earn a decent amount of money and we need to sort ourselves out so that's reassuring. I'll post new totals later / tonight - but they aren't looking good!

Determined14

Debt Figures as of 12/7/15

CC1 (17.4%): £592.02
CC2 (0%): £2,761.33
CC3 (0%): £7,403.71
CC4 (0%): £95.72

Total: £10,852.78

Determined14

So still balance still going down which is a bit of a surprise as I really thought that they'd go up this month so must keep going!

Determined14

Determined14 wrote: »

Debt Figures as of 14/5/15

CC1 (17.4%): £3207.41
CC2 (0%): £3600
CC3 (0%): £4438.50
Total: £11,245.91

So all a bit quiet here, work is crazy so hard to find time to update. Both DH and I are making a big effort to rein in the spending and I think it is working a bit. Debt figures as of today:

CC1: £885.53
CC2: £2761.33
CC3: £7329.67
Total: £10,976.53

So the depressing fact is that in 3 months the debt has only gone down by £269.38 but we've had some big outgoings such as 4 new tyres for the car, a new car seat and a few other bits and pieces and at least it is still going down and I'm much more aware of what I'm spending and putting things on the credit card. Also DH and I are continuing taking a more joined up approach to finances which is helping!

Bobarella

Determined I just wondered whether you could move card 1 onto card 4 to take advantage of the 0% interest there? As you have 3 at 0% & then that bigger one.