Two thirds of the way there, final hurdle

MERFE

Seem to be more on track with the food spending now, this month is going well so I think we have got back on track with that. I've paid the extra off the barclaycard so that has come down a fair bit this month. All Christmas present shopping is done, would be easy to get extras since there is more money this year but going to stick to the plan, want to get the debt gone. Getting close to having enough in savings to pay it all off which is nice. I'm not going to since the debts 0% but it is nice to know we could.

MERFE

Nov came to £360 food spends so much better, just have to keep a close eye. I know this months is unlikely to be so low but going to be careful the next 3 weeks at least before I do the Christmas shop. Aiming for £450 for the month.

Had to get oil, £371 which I think is £100 more than it cost this time last year, going to have to increase my budget for this, also considering if it'll be cheaper to use the immersion for the water in the summer. So probably no over payment this month but should still get it under £5000 when the regular payment goes out.

MERFE

So it's OH payday, early this month but works out after everything is paid for there should be £200 left. That is with £300 coming out towards the barclaycard and I should be able to pay some extra off too. OH wants to change to some day shifts in the new year he is struggling to get enough sleep when the kids are at school and get up to pick the youngest up so we are going to have to look at some childcare in the new year for him. Might be tricky as the only childminder in the village has moved away. OH has the whole of Christmas off though so something to worry about in the new year.

Gonna be going over the £450 aim for Decembers groceries, I am at £430 and need to get some bread milk and fruit and few other bits. Probably going to be £60 spend. I definitely underestimated the alcohol spend - or bought too much alcohol. I guess as we had a bit more cash available this year we have splashed a bit more than we should. I haven't bought any chocolate though which is good, usually get a tin and it's gone before Christmas is even here. I think we don't need it, kids will have enough selection packs from family (you can tell as picked up a few presents already), so they won't need any more chocolate.

I'm really pleased with how much we have saved last year whilst paying off the debt, without going without as well. It's not been easy but I hope we can do the same next year, actually save a bit more and pay off the debt completely. It is doable. So next Christmas we'll be debt free and have a good start towards a house deposit. Exciting times to look forward to.

HairyHandofDartmoor

You're doing well. I agree about not buying a tin of chocolate if the DC are getting selection boxes.

It would be great if you could be debt free next year . How much is left to pay?

MERFE

Current debt £4600 but I should be able to pay another £50 a week from my pay this month so hopefully going to drop quickly. Feb and March council tax free months so that'll go towards it too.

I was looking back at the beginning of the thread and how we were in such a different situation then with more debt than I listed and me not working and tax credits dropping. I remember not being able to use the car for fear we would run out of petrol. Now on my days off I don't make unneccesary journeys (it just becomes habit to save where we can) but at least it feels better mentally knowing I could go out in the car if I wanted to. We are quite isolated and rural here, and it is beautiful and walking around the village is lovely but when you are stuck it is depressing and hard to see the beauty. I am so glad of the changes that have happened.

HairyHandofDartmoor

It is interesting to make comparisons and see how far you've come. Think what you can achieve by next Christmas

MERFE

Next Christmas we will be looking at houses - determined.

Hope everyone had a nice time over Christmas. As predicted my kids got plenty of chocolate, than ate it all in 2 days. I can't believe how much they ate in such a short time, then started hounding me and OH for our biscuits. All treats gone now bar a small amount of ice cream. Kids loved their gifts, I worked out in all I spent £100 per child which I think is reasonable, it is so easy to go over the top. Only problem so far is we gave middle child a steam voucher and everytime he tries to download the game no one can use the wifi, since we only have now tv this is a problem if anyone is watching tv. I told him to find a time when no one is on the internet and caught him trying to download it at 3am.
We had 2 big days out over Christmas (not including visiting family) and one was a freebie special offer, the other cost £20 plus a little extra for coffee once there, so bargains. Going to take the youngest to soft play ( he never goes since the older 2 are a bit too old for it now), he has an inset day Thursday and goes back to school friday so be nice just the 2 of us. Kids have been so good, sometimes Christmas and routine change and over excitement can get the better of them but this year they seemed to really calm down, sad as its a sign the older 2 are growing up but also it was nice and relaxing.

We don't really do new years, OH will probably be in bed by 11, I normally stay up till 12 but not really bothered this year. New years day though is beach day, always. Now we are down in cornwall its a pick of many beaches, just have to wrap up warm. Hope you all have a good time tonight whatever you're doing.

MERFE

Barclaycard now at £4450 so coming down nicely this month. Managed to stick to paying some extra off on payday. I've joined the save £12k challenge but with a £6000 target because 12k would be impossible. If I can manage it we would have 10k saved towards our deposit next year and no debt left. It would be enough for a 5% deposit but ideally we want to save 10%. Keeping an eye on the houses locally to see what prices are doing, houses round here tend to take 6 months to sell anyway so no hurry, I think that is just due to being rural.

MERFE

I'm officially rubbish at keeping a diary, however I have been ploughing away at the debt. Balance is now £1450, should be totally gone in the next month or two. OH has had a pretty good payrise this year, it'll all go to the deposit savings whilst I pay off the rest of the debt.

The savings are coming along really well, actually can't believe how fast it all adds up, so all on target to buying towards the end of the year. There is a really good sized 3 bed on rightmove at the moment for £139000 which would be perfect, it doesn't have a garage but OH would be ok as it's so affordable, just a bit too soon for us. OH got a LISA but didn't open it till Oct last year so we can't look just yet, that ties in with the debt being gone as well (although mortgage calculators say we could get enough now, so tempting but I really want to be debt free first). I hope that house is still there but doubt it, maybe another will come up in the meantime.

Working_Mum

You have done so well MERFE!!

You should be really proud at how you've turned your life and fiscal future around and buying your own property is in sight!!

Great result, keep it going