These things take time.....

There_Is_a_Light

As a previous Old Timer MSE I have decided for a range of reasons (mainly that my anonymity was is question) to quite literally start from scratch with a different user name and shiny new debt free diary.

In 2008 I had total control over my finances and managed to get debt free later that year after many years of sinking into debt. I continued the wagon rolling after that and paid off over £15,000 in overpayment to my mortgage.

I can honestly say that looking back at various Spreadsheets and trackers that I had then I can barely recognise myself. It's like I was some kind of MSE Superwoman. Had trackers for:
Grocery Challenge
Mystery shopping
Ebay sales
Matched betting
Credit Card and Mortgage overpayments
No Spend Day's
Zero spend Christmas and Birthdays
Survey sites and Quidco.

And now...........I have none of these My spending has spiralled and I am back in CC debt to the tune of £3000. £10,000 of the mortgage overpayments have been borrowed back and while I do not feel that I am back totally at square one I feel like such a failure.

BUT.....I feel positive and have ended my own private pity party and have decided to go back to basics which means tracking every penny and relying heavily on the support from my MSE family.

I will be back with a plan....

There_Is_a_Light

Health, wealth and happiness, isn't that what we are wished by others? I am going to try and focus on making positive contributions to each one every day.

Here are my health, wealth and happiness goals for 2016

Health

• Get back to and remain at my goal weight (only need to lose around 5lbs to do this)
• Start Yoga classes on 5th Jan, this will cost £2.50 a week but is something I can do with my Mum. I also pledge to do at least 2 more Yoga sessions between lessons independently.
• Continue to keep my home life and work life separate, I have not looked at an email or even thought about work this holidays. That is a huge improvement for me which I will continue to do in 2016.
• Go out for a walk with OH at least once a week, it is something that we both enjoy doing and is a good time for us to chat and discuss all sorts of things

Wealth.

• Become debt free by 31/3/16:j
• Save in high interest current accounts and maximise switching bonus opportunities to earn £1000 in bonus/interest/incentives. I already have £250 pending so am a quarter of the way there already. More on this later:) I also have some grand savings plans.
• Use YNAB to its full capacity, I have really enjoyed tracking everything in Dec and I guess if I can do it in the most spendy (is a word) month of the year then I can continue.
• Stop taking money to work, I will start off the year with a stash of tea/coffee soups etc for snack /caffeine attacks.
• Only eat out in happy hour or when vouchers are available. Take aways are always a disappointment so we have agreed to knock them on the head altogether.
• Involve OH much more in the finances, he is happy to let me get on with things but I value his input and he has a very logical mind and notices things that I miss.

Happiness

• Speak to my boys as often as possible, I have loved having them home for Christmas.
• Spend more time with the people I care about
• Enjoy our UK holiday (already booked)
• Enjoy watching A-Ha in Manchester in March (all booked and paid for)
• Try not to worry about the small stuff, most things I fret about turn out to be fine. I must remember this.
• Decorate our bedroom (for under £500) so that I have a tranquil place to sleep with enough storage.
• Spend more time in the garden, this has really been neglected this year.

There_Is_a_Light

OK so under my WEALTH task today I pledged to find out how much I owe and when my deals end:

Tesco CC - £871.32 Interest 15.6%
Santander CC - £2308.51 0% interest until 22/03/16

I have worked out that I have approximately £500 left of my salary after bills and food. This money would usually be our "Fun" money and the bulk is usually either spent on eating out and socialising or put towards a holiday fund. As of today there IS no holiday fund as I know that I MUST put this towards the debt.
Overall a positive and productive day.

Knit_Witch

Good luck with it all!

Sparkles87

Good luck. I'm also a member from way back so I wonder if we've crossed paths before.

Life needs to be about balance long-term and sustainable budgeting. For example, eating out, have you looked into a gourmet card? You can save loads with it. Using cashback websites and cards can help with spending too.
Good luck with clearing the cards

Buffythedebtslayer

Hello


I love the health wealth and happiness plan idea, that is so clear and logical. I keep thinking about a new id. And ironically I was looking at my "budget" lst night.


Good to have you back again
ooooooooooooo I love you!




And Sparkles - yes you have

Bobarella

Good luck on your journey

There_Is_a_Light

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone.

Buffy I love you too :j xxxx

Thanks for the idea regarding the gourmet card. I have also been pointed in the direction of Groupon so will check that out too.

There_Is_a_Light

Morning everyone

Day 2 of my DFD

There was some developments in my WEALTH yesterday as I was paid back some money owed from a relative :j This will go straight off the CC.

I am expecting a delivery today so will be pottering (love that word) around the house. Targets for today are:

HEALTH
Stick within WW plan. I am going out for dinner with some friends this evening but THEY are paying as as thank you for giving them help with transport recently :j I have perused the menu and have chosen a healthy dish. I will stick to drinking water.
20 min yoga - didnt manage this yesterday but did squeeze in a 4 mile walk after dinner instead.

WEALTH
Set up a spending diary Spreadsheet DONE - its blank as will start from today but at least its a start.
Look for eating out deals for next weekend as we are going to visit DS for his Birthday and would like to have at least lunch out together.
Check Quidco balance DONE - Have £115.64 tracked and £20.60 ready to be paid, will leave for Christmas.
Take inventory of fridge and meal plan for rest of the week

HAPPINESS
Carry out at least 1 work task. DONE- did 2 quite big jobs so feel much better
Sort out laundry and put away.DONE
Start a new book and read for at least 1 hour.DONE - bit of an easy ready but enjoyed putting my brain in neutral for an hour or so.

It might seem strange that I am putting work related tasks on my happiness list but despite being on annual leave these pressing tasks are in my head space and I need to get them out. It will be worse for me if I leave them until I return to work on 17th Aug.

Laundry is another one of my sticking points, I am great at washing, not too bad at ironing but the clothes rarely make it to the wardrobes and drawers and either live on the dining room table or the Ottoman upstairs. We are currently rocking a bit of a floor-drobe also which needs sorting.

That's it for now, hope everyone has a great Tuesday

Buffythedebtslayer

My clothes hang up in the spare room mostly on the clothes horse! - started KonMari -ing yesterday. So much of my stuff doesn't "spark Joy" it is ridiculous it has space in my home! In fact now I might be able to put the washing away.........maybe


Any how enjoy your dinner out


XX

Sparkles87

I'm even more intrigued now! KonMari sounds interesting. I have nowhere to put most of my clothes but they are clean and folded somewhere tidily so that's the best I can do for now. My mum has always been a great believer in everything having a place, I wish it had rubbed off more