Penguin83 - Debt Diary

penguin83

Thanks Lunar.

Good Luck with your debts too. Hopefully it wont be too long before we are both debt free! x

penguin83

Just realised I havent updated my diary for a few days - im too busy reading everyone elses. Have had a good week and havent spent much money and have bought nothing unnecessary.

I have applied for my law degree through the OU which is a bit scary but decided to bite the bullet and do it. My parents have said they will pay for it as they would of done had I gone straight from college.

DD has a party on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. My social life now consists of taking a 4 year old to parties!

Have become completely obssessed with the Snowball Calculator - I look at it at least once a day even when I have got nothing to add to it!

Just off to update my sig! x

trying-very-trying

Well done you penguin!!! have a look at the old style forum, you'll find loads of ideas to help you reduce your food budget. I split my time between os & dfw, and it all helps.

penguin83

Ok Ive finally decided to quit smoking:eek:

I have just smoked my last cigarette (hopefully).

I started when I was 15 and have been smoking for 8 years. I managed to give up totally during both my pregnancies so I know I can do it.

The money saved is going in a tub and at the end of each month Ill pay it off a debt.

Wish me luck - im going to need it! x

penguin83

Cant believe its September already!

It was my daughters last day of nursery yesterday so she is off to 'big' school on Tuesday:eek:

My nursery fees have now reduced to £144.00 per week but I will need after school and holiday care for my daughter but it will still be a lot cheaper than nursery was!

The reduction in nursery fees frees up about 100.00 per week to throw at my debts and will make a huge difference. I havent added the extra money to my snowball yet as I am not sure how much of that I will need for her childcare.

I am off work for 2 weeks now - I havent had 2 weeks leave since Jan 2006 so really looking forward to being at home for a change!

My son has got chicken pox at the mo so he will be off nursery for a few days bless him.

My current figures stand at:

Debt at highest - 48006.32

Debt at 01.09.07 - 45794.30

Amount paid so far - 2212.02

Debt free date - Apr 2012:mad:

Just off to update sig x

FrugalJo

Hi Penguin
Hope your little one with chicken itchies is ok, horrid childhood illness.
Great to read how well you are doing, how's the smoking ?

penguin83

The smoking isnt going too bad at the mo. I only used to smoke about 5 a day but the real test will be these next few weeks when I am off. The only problem is I am picking at food more instead so I dread my Slimming World weigh in on Monday! x

FrugalJo

Well done with the smoking Penguin ! I know what you mean about the picking, I'm terrible at grazing and fridge raiding. Peanuts are my weakness, but I'm so skint this week can't even do that !

Good luck for Monday, bet you've done better than you think.

Squirrel29

Hi Penguin, I have just joined the board too. I think you are doing very well. I know what you mean about the horse, I had to sell mine a couple of years ago when realised debts were getting out of hand but to be honest I wasn't really as attached to her as I was my original childhood pony. It was a relief to get rid as she was such a money drain!

2012 isn't really so far away, I have spend my 20's and 30's in debt, I intend to enjoy my 40's with having disposable income! I feel sad though as I feel my son has missed out on days out/holidays etc, he will be in this twenties when I am finally debt free - he won't want to be with his old mum by then.

I guess thought that the love of family is more imporant than possessions.

penguin83

Thanks Squirrel for your comments.

As my two are still young (2 and 4) thay havent got to the stage yet of asking for expensive presents or holidays etc so I am lucky in that respect.

Sorry to hear you had to sell your horse - they are a huge responsibilty financially and emotionally! I would really like another horse as mine has been retired for 4 years and really miss riding. That will be my aim once I am debt free.

I know 2012 isnt that far it just seems to be sometimes. I would like to take the children to Disneyland Florida when they are older. I have never been abroad (think I will enjoy it more than them) 2012 seems an ideal time as they will then be 7 and 9.

Dont worry about your son. My parents never had much spare cash when we were growing up (hence never having been abroad!) but I can honestly say we have never missed out. They are now 49 and 50 and have money to spare - they helped with the deposit to buy my house etc. I appreciate it more now than I would of done when I was younger. Plus my kids are spoilt rotten by them! x