Crunchy pays it down....£20k...the final chapter

crunch_time

Morning diary!!

Just checking in as working week is done for me! Monday - I loved my job, Tuesday - I hated my job. Today - I have decided to resign just before Easter holidays to leave at the end of the academic year. From September I just wont be able to juggle the commute plus, school run, nursery run etc etc. and need something closer to home.

I will keep my eye on the job board for something new but will prepare for being a stay at home mum, if it doesn't, until I do. All my money would do is pay for childcare for DD, holidays and debt/mortgage overpayments. These can be un-prioritised and then re-prioritised as we like.

That means by September I have to achieve the following in order of priority:

1) Finish paying off my credit card £1054
2) Replenish the approx. £1500 of savings I 'borrowed' to pay off debt.
3) Save £700 for our Christmas holiday
4) Save £400 for a 'wedding weekend' coming up in the autumn
5) Save for a £1000 emergency fund - currently stands at £300
6 ) pay down my husbands credit card currently sitting at £1412 at 0% with the minimum payment being covered by mileage from expenses.

I will get paid until the end of August so that gives me plenty of time to achieve this.

I have managed to slush away nearly £400 this year just from over budgeting so long may that continue.

We had a bit of a spendy weekend buying things that were needed. Some bits need to be returned so I will wait until the dust settles before checking to see if we can chuck anything else at the debt this month.

I have a few bits to sell on ebay its just getting round to putting them on.

I get paid 3 weeks on Friday and I'm hoping to pay off a significant amount of my credit card. £500-£700. Just got to keep plodding on.

Oh and also we have decided not to get hung up paying back the loan early just yet. Just concentrating on the above until we know what is happening about me and a job.

Off to update my signature to keep me motivated!!

Crunchy xx

crunch_time

Evening diary!

Was just checking my paypal balance and realised I can slush £20 towards the credit card so signature is updated. Credit card is now at £1034.

Happy with that!

Crunchy xx

DebtFree2012

Morning hun


Good for you, you sound like you know exactly what you are doing. Good luck with it xx

crunch_time

Morning!! Thanks debtfree2012. Not sure I know exactly what I'm doing but I'm trying my very best!!!

The constant battle between life and debt repayment continues.....

Tried vacuuming upstairs this morning and after going over a piece of fluff 3 times before it went up I have decided to take JL up on their trade in offer and will be buying a new vacuum cleaner tomorrow. The iron is also leaking and not very safe so shall be investing in that one too. I shall pay on my credit card and then pay it off when I am paid on the 18th. Around £300.

Husband also said that 'they' are chasing his payment towards the stag do he is going on in the summer and asked when we could pay it. Hmmm that will be on the 18th too. £300.

Also DS swimming lesson bill for the summer term has come through. It will be about £120. I will need to dip into the emergency fund to pay that as cant pay on credit card and then will replenish on the 18th when I get paid.

All stuff that needs to be done (except expensive abroad stag do - can you tell I'm cross?) but at least then they are paid for. I wont be able to make such a bit dent in the credit card after all. Ah well - it will still be there next month!!! And this is life after all.

Also note - nothing exciting for me. I refuse to get excited about a new vacuum cleaner.

Crunchy xx

OrangeFairy

Hi Crunchy,

What a positive decision you have made, sounds like this is needed to grab back the home life balance.

I hope all goes to plan over the next few months I am sure you will do brilliantly!

OF x

crunch_time

Afternoon all

Thanks orange fairy for your wise words!!

I was wrong to not get excited about the new vacuum - it's fab!!! Just had a whirl around despite vacuuming yesterday and it's picked up loads more! Very compact and light weight and £130 off by trading in the old one.

Very pleased with that!!

Crunchy xx

abba1772

I always get excited about new appliances ..............I'm sad like that lol xx

DebtFree2012

Me too. I got a new washing machine and sat watching it work....like I have never seen a washer work, every day of my life!

crunch_time

Ha ha! God knows what I will be like when I get my steam cleaner (eventually).

Just checking in. Working week done for me. I have handed in my notice so there is no going back now. Must. Find. A. New. Job.

'Spendy March' is running away with me I feel. Its a good job I get paid next week. Relatively low cost weekend coming up. Just got to make the food budget stretch till the end of the month. Husband is away next weekend (from wed to Sunday - on a jolly) so it is possible as he generally demands a higher level of living than me. I can live off beans on toast or equivalent and not go out for a whole weekend. I think some evenings to myself without having to watch football or action films will be like going on a spa weekend so we will be even. Ha ha!

So just 2 weekends to make it through....

Crunchy xx

DebtFree2012

Scrambled eggs on toast and jacket potatoes with various fillings are yum as well as cheap. I do enjoy a night to myself but I can never settle when my DH is on a night out (opposed to away) until he gets home.
Were they okay with you handing your notice in?