NST - January. Bobs post bauble debt busting challenge

Bobarella

Hi all

The rental money had gone into our account today so i made a £60 payment to the card which makes it an even £500 for Jan. Am hoping to use the £136 we'd normally pay in council tax to chip the total under £2,000 before the next round of this challenge begins.

FunBrum - you are an inspiration with all your NSDS. I'm glad your better

Calling- I'm not that sort of host...soft voice, big stick is my thing

Apple - how is your husband? Any further news on the redundancy situation?

MissTara - well done you've done so well.

Dawn you've checked in a fair bit and I know what your up to from small things so your alright

Dolly sounds a good day

themarsbargirl

Nsd 14 today.

mothernerd

counting today as a spendy day as I went to mum's yesterday evening after having claimed a NSD. bargain taxi ride as a couple walked into the taxi office just after I had ordered my taxi. They were going along the same road but about twice as far and we agreed to share and I gave them a contribution.

Last night we filled two small suitcases with 'craft' supplies for two young girls. Fourteen carrier bags emptied and three more in the bin and a cut back in Christmas and Easter decorations lying around (mum only had a fibre optic tree this year and just put a row of cards up from immediate family). I was too tired to come home. We talked until midnight (past mum's bedtime) and were both up by 6.30am.

A van had been booked for noon to take most of the heavy items so our priority was to clear anything going in the van. If I say the small single bed in the back room had a Christmas tree, soft toys, several boxes (various items) and a pile of spare bedding on top, two full storage drawers and I had to clear two airers and hang up several items of clothing just to get to the bed.

The threatened invasion by partner's relatives didn't happen, but those that did turn up were split between the helpful (g-d and her husband) and exasperating ( partner's eldest son). Mum and I had folded and packed all the double bed bedding (it has a couple of 'sheepskin- like' layers which came with it - one was so heavy it needed a binbag to itself). We also had small piles of nightclothes (which mum needs tonight), dirty clothes and other bits.

The first thing mum's partner's son did was take all the things down from the top of the wardrobe (no priority whatsoever, not been touched in years, wardrobe is over 7' high and mum hasn't been able to get up steps for at least 3 years) and put all the dusty junk all over our newly cleared bed. He had the g-d's OH helping him bring small drawers downstairs (I'm sure the 2 removal men could have brought them down intact) leaving me to tackle the aforementioned single bed alone.

I've been kondoing carrier bags into neat triangles all day to get myself back to a state of Zen like calm. There have been a few trials during the day but after the furniture van left mum and I were left alone again until about 4pm. Mum's partner has developed an infection (because he keeps trying to pull bits of medical equipment including the pacemaker out of himself) and has to stay in hospital a few more days.

I need to get there early tomorrow as we have several bags to go to church - will be more as I have persuaded mum to let go of a drawerful of present/ tombola type items. I have five charity shop sacks filled already and a bag of hats to go to my brother's ex g-f. I have lost count of how much I have cleared (too tired to celebrate) but it has emphasized how much I need to sort through my own stuff again.

I will jot that down on next month's list. I am trying to have monthly, weekly and daily plans but only have 3 things rather than ten, then extra can be added if everything is done.

Today I am grateful for having time alone with mum, for having food ( hm stew from the freezer only took 4 mins in the microwave) and being debt free - have had the final statement/ letter from all 4 cc saying I owe nothing.

Fmess

Evening all,


Wow everyone is doing so well with all the SFDs and extra payments off the debt and into savings


SFD number 16 here, which I am pleased about Also payday today so paid off the tyres from the credit card. Unfortunately, that leaves me with only a £30 overpayment from my pay packet, however I will try and increase my earnings in February and use the money to pay towards the debt. I can't be too sad though as I moved money around in Dec/Jan, and with that and debt payments, I have paid off £800+ since Christmas.

apple_muncher

Congratulations on the confirmation of your debt-free status mothernerd!

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all - sorry I've not checked in for a few days. Long and busy weekend and I fear I have lost my mojo a little. Not for the NST stuff, but just everything. Work, home, getting everything done etc. I'm desperate for a really long sleep, and then I get a long sleep and I'm still tired all day. I feel fine mood wise, just can't be bothered. I suspect I'm either desperate for a break or starting to get ill.
I have chalked up another nsd and I'm thrilled now that the end is in sight for January because we're SO skint.
DH is still off work so nothing other than ssp, which is tough. I'm lucky I still have my wages, plus two tutoring jobs at the moment.
Hope everyone is doing ok - I'm off to check out the rest of the thread.

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

NSD 14 today. Had a bit of a lazy day but have managed to make a big batch of soup and freeze some veggies into usable portions.

DD has gone away on a school trip (the £150 one which was the reason she got fewer Xmas presents!) and I have been glued to their social media account most of the day checking where they are and what they are doing. Looks like they are having a great time.

With regards to the conversation on saving accounts vs paying debts directly, I am using a savings account at the moment to save up then pay off my debt in bulk. However, I'm just doing this in the short term and for a few different reasons. Firstly, because my job is initially a temp contract, so if I get the news that I'm not being kept on, I can cancel the debt repayment and use it as an emergency fund to keep us afloat. Secondly, I am planning to pay off my cc in full next month but this will temporarily take me very close to my overdraft limit (for about a week) to the point where every extra £ I make in interest will keep me a step further from exceeding the limit. The overdraft will be cleared completely in March, but for a short period every penny will definitely count! But it's definitely each to their own and I'm itching for the day that I can pay it off my debt.

themarsbargirl

Congratulations mother!

Bobarella

Sounds a stressful day Mothernerd. So glad your confirmation of debt freedom has come through!

WelshKitty- Totally see that you have a strategy that is working for you. Really hope DD enjoys her trip too.

From wider reading on the boards I understand that people often save up for debt repayment because where there are large outstanding debts 'predators' as some term creditors, are more likely to accept a full and final payment with a lump sum amount. In that case I do agree that saving up to do this makes sense.

Well done everyone still logging in those NSDS.

Bob

dolly84

Mothernerd - this moving lark sounds exhausting and stressful.

It is payday today and the child benefit has gone in too plus £3.30 cashback from quidco. I have paid off the spinning bike we just bought, paid the final installment for DS's residential in April, transferred £9 (final account balance before pay hit) to the EF, £50 to the car expenses account and £3.30 to the Birthday/Christmas account. My debt repayment is by DD and will come out on the 1st.

I am going to the bank to withdraw cash for the kids activities, their spending money, entertainment money, half term budget etc. Also going to get the dog food and drop a bag off at Oxfam.