A whole new world

belleandthebudget

Hi, lovely Debt Free Wannabes! This diary will track my progress towards becoming debt-free by 30. That gives me 11 paydays to kick this debt where the sun don't shine! I have £6215 left to pay off, split across 2 credit cards at 0% interest which won't run out until October 2016. Since I hope to be debt-free by June 2016, they should give me plenty of time.

I have reworked my budget so that if I do nothing else but stick to this - I'll make my DFD of June 16. The idea is to work on surveys and shaving the odd bit off my grocery spend to try and rally up more treats.

Although, I know some of you will think my whole budget is full of treats already!

Even though I know I'm not pulling the purse-strings as tight as some of you, and I'm not currently in dire straights, I'd really appreciate any support you can share.

This is going to be a toughie for me. I've been in some sort of debt my entire adult life, ever since that first overdraft at 18, and it seems difficult to even comprehend not being in debt. But I'll get there!

I'm tired of being ashamed and hiding the extent of my debts from my family and friends. I'm sick of never going on holiday because I can't afford it without a credit card. I'm done with living in flatshares and having no plan to ever get my own place!

If you've read all this way, thank you! Here's to my last ever DFW diary.

(P.S. sorry for mixing my Disney metaphors!)

INCOMING = £1825

Groceries - £190
Oyster Card - £10
Spending Money - £40
Eating Out - £20
Rent/Bills - £697
Bill Buffer - £10
Mobile Phone - £16.50
Contents Insurance - £8.39
Gym - £79.95
Ballet Classes - £50
Contacts - £28
Clothing - £20
Medical - £5
Birthdays - £10
Christmas - £20
Amazon Music/Dropbox/Dreamhost - £15
Holiday Fund - £40

OUTGOING = £1260

LEFT FOR MONTHLY DEBT REPAYMENT = £565

belleandthebudget

Okay! Shiny new diary, shiny new signature, shiny new budget! And I've even subscribed to my own thread so I won't lose it. It's that kind of forward thinking that'll get me out of this debt-hole, right?

MSE parts of today were - making and bringing my lunch and snacks to work and eating dinner out of the freezer. Non MSE parts of today included buying breakfast at work (naughty but it's hard to say no to fresh poached eggs!) and paying for a SpareRoom listing so we can hopefully find a replacement flatmate speedily. Will try to recoup some of the listing money from other two flatmates as I'm not even the one leaving!

Also I ordered a handbag as a Congrats on Your New Job pressie for myself (I know, I know!) and it was already more than 50% off, but it arrived scratched so it's being returned and I got 10% more off a replacement in apology for the inconvenience. A teeny-tiny bit MSE. Sorta.

YNAB has become my life line. I don't even know what I would do without it these days. Probably get into more debt.

Two weeks until pay day! If I keep things up this will be the first month in a looooong time that I've stuck to budget and not gone further into debt. I'd cross my fingers, but it's all up to me really!

belleandthebudget

So yesterday I spent 5 whole pence! A victory for me. I went fractionally over my free lunch amount at work but figured it was better to get the most out of it and spend the 5p than waste free money.

Also think I've found us a lovely new flatmate (and in 24 hours no less!) plus had tons of interest, so I'm pleased the ad I wrote worked out.

Went to the doctors in the morning for my regular Life Juice as I call it. When I think about why I'm in debt and why I let it get so bad I realise it's all down to my health problems, really, and then after diagnosis the struggle to accept I have a condition that will need regular treatment for the rest of my life.

A few months ago I realised that reality had hit me harder than I thought. But at least there is a treatment for my illness, I know not everyone is so lucky.

I feel like getting out of debt will be an extra weight off my shoulders and a real acceptance that I still have a life to live to the full!

Ballet today, so will spend £10, but it was budgeted and I'll get to see a friend. Also coffee but there's money in the restaurant fund for that too.

Lunch and snacks for work, I'm bringing in. Yay me. This makes the biggest difference if I can do it regularly.

lcc86

Good luck on your journey, I'm subscribing! I would love to be debt free by June next year but it's going to take a little longer, hopefully your diary will be inspiring to lots of people. All the best

belleandthebudget

Thanks lcc! It's definitely going to be a stretch to hit June but it would just be the best birthday present I could give myself for the milestone. Worth a little scrimping now!

emmaglet

Hi Belle!

I'm instantly attracted to this diary, after coming back from our Disney moon (and Disney themed wedding!) last month!

rockm87

emmaglet wrote: »

Hi Belle!

I'm instantly attracted to this diary, after coming back from our Disney moon (and Disney themed wedding!) last month!

ooo how wonderful! we're saving for our disneymoon next year :-)

Hi Belle!!

good luck on your journey. I started with a similar amount of debt to you and am on track to pay it off this Christmas, just yes I am being very aggressive with it!

belleandthebudget

Hi Emma and Rock - thanks for popping in! Disneymoon's sound exciting.What a magical place to spend a honeymoon!

I think having a really specific milestone to pay the debt off by definitely helps. I feel like I'm achieving something more concrete than when I was just trying to pay off the debt to get rid of it someday!

Itsa_Longshot

Good luck to you Belle! We'll all meet up here for an online party to celebrate your 30th next year - virtual drinks will be on you, considering you'll be debt free by then!

teaandcakeaddict

Hi Belle, I'm subscribing. Turning 30 without the burden of debt would be the best gift ever, certainly one I wish I'd given myself. I'll be here to cheer you on!

belleandthebudget

Thanks Itsa and teaandcakeaddict - it's great to have you both here. Virtual drinks will absolutely be on me!!