It's not a lot, but it's enough

SpekySquarehead

joeyjimbles wrote: »

It goes that way for a while and when you 'only' have one debt to focus on then you don't get the quick wins that people who have their debt spread across different places do when they manage to pay off something.

Some suggest dividing your debt by 100 and focusing on each 1% so £29 in your case - then colouring in one square of a 100 block square for each time you pay that off. It also can act as a demotivator if you were thinking of splashing out an unnecessary £20+ on something as you can visualise it as more or less that 1%. I've even seen some people divide their debt by 1000 so £2.90 for you - that would concentrate the mind over a take-out coffee wouldn't it?

There's also the very successful PAD (payment a day) thread where you make a little payment every day or every week to your debt. This can be rounding down your bank account so it balances (also known as Tilly Tidies) or perhaps earning a few extra ££ from surveys and transferring that across.
I'm sure there are other methods too but all will help you moving forward and seeing just a little bit more going off the total - I know that Barclaycard will let you make multiple payments of £1+ as I've done it myself. How you would square it with YNAB I don't know as I've never used that but I'm sure there's a way.

Also whilst I know your debt is a priority, your girlfriend's health is too as is the sanity of both of you so do make sure you add a little leeway into your budgets to keep both of you happy and healthy.

Very well said. I think the 100 payments idea. Might think more about how that'll best work for me. Thank you.

And yes. Health comes first and I'll be sure to look after my GF and make sure he has the support she needs.

Thanks again.

SpekySquarehead

Morning!

Checked my bank and YNAB and all seems to be in order.

5 no spend days in a row now! My new record. I will spend some tomorrow though, always do at the weekend unfortunately. Think my GF and I may go ice skating on Saturday. Something we’ve never done before so should be some good and relatively cheap fun.

Then Fathers Day on Sunday, so I’ll visit my dad once I’ve picked up a card and a little something for him. I’ll probably need to fill up with petrol before I go too (note to self). I’ve a to-do list 10 items strong. From making a call to a friend of a friend about a new car to opening a bank account. Usually when I spend time with my GF I get nothing done on my list cause we’re too busy enjoying each others company. It’s a good problem to have I suppose.

Not too sure if I’ll check back in this weekend but needless to say, I’ll be spending as little as possible. Payday in 13 days (not that I’m counting).

SpekySquarehead

Hello!

It was a weekend in which I didn't have much planned, and those usually turn out to be the most expensive. However that wasn't the case I am happy to say

On Saturday my GF and I chilled and enjoyed a lovely meal in glasgow with my mum and step dad, so I actually managed to rack a NSD on a Saturday which is a first for me.

Sunday was Fathers Day and so I bought my dad a polo shirt from F&F (£12) and box of Malteasers (£1) and a card (£2). While I was out I filled up in petrol, nearly £50. With that in mind, I should be able to go through mid week without spending much, if anything.

My YNAB has been stretched this month and with payday on the last day of the month for me I'll need to play about with my budgets and reallocate for petrol among other things.

I think I've decided not to go to Korea for my step-brothers wedding. The cost coupled with my GF's health and her pulling out I think pushed me. Probably for the best as I can now aim to be debt free by the end of this year.

My insurance is due for renewal and I'm peeved at the increase we're all taking on. Damn those insurers, daylight robbery. Needs must.

Anyway, have a terrific day one and all. Thank you for stopping by

joeyjimbles

Hi, well done on all those NSDs. I'm sure that you have done this but I'll put it out there so that you can nod emphatically, you have gone through Top Cashback or Quidco to do your quotes?
And when you have bought gone through one or the other to try and get a bit of cashback, though do check that its the same price as not going through them - one of the ones we looked at earlier this year would have cost us more in the long run after getting cashback as they just added it back onto the cost. Sneaky but I suppose that money has to come from somewhere.

SpekySquarehead

joeyjimbles wrote: »

Hi, well done on all those NSDs. I'm sure that you have done this but I'll put it out there so that you can nod emphatically, you have gone through Top Cashback or Quidco to do your quotes?
And when you have bought gone through one or the other to try and get a bit of cashback, though do check that its the same price as not going through them - one of the ones we looked at earlier this year would have cost us more in the long run after getting cashback as they just added it back onto the cost. Sneaky but I suppose that money has to come from somewhere.

Hey there, thanks for taking the time to stop by and post.

I'll be honest - I haven't actually. I don't know much about how they work however after some reading there, it seems a good idea particularly for those larger one off purchases. Thank you :beer:

SpekySquarehead

Yesterday was a hard days work followed by a gym session. Since it cost me £5, and as a result spoiled my NSD, I followed that up with a trip to Tesco which should then mean I’ll get some NSD’s for today, tomorrow and Friday.

I read a post on someone else’s DFD about how much YNAB has changed their financial situation over the course of an extended period of time. I’ve only used it 2 months and I’ve seen a huge difference, so hearing other success stories have given me a confidence boost that I will become DF one day. Maybe not tomorrow, but one day.

One way to help get there faster is to earn more. I’m getting itchy feet in my job as I’ve hit the proverbial glass ceiling. I’ll do some investigating in the coming days/weeks.

crazy_cat_lady

Hey Speky
I've been away for a couple of weeks and not been on here at all. I'm sorry to hear the news about your girlfriend. Just to echo what others have said though, try not to panic too much about the whole situation.
I did my PhD research into cancer treatments, and it's good news that they've caught it early - gives things a much better chance. Lots of love to both of you xxx

SpekySquarehead

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Hey Speky
I've been away for a couple of weeks and not been on here at all. I'm sorry to hear the news about your girlfriend. Just to echo what others have said though, try not to panic too much about the whole situation.
I did my PhD research into cancer treatments, and it's good news that they've caught it early - gives things a much better chance. Lots of love to both of you xxx

Hey! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Reasurring to hear comments such as yours, particularly from those with experience. Thank you!

SpekySquarehead

Morning,

The weekend has been and gone and unfortunately it didn’t pass without spending – on both days. I had a wonderful time with my GF and friends and it’s was an example of still living our lives despite the debt.

We were at a friend’s house warming party and later in the night my GF opened up to one of her friends about her health news and she got a bit upset but it was lovely to see the support she got and I think it made her feel a bit more reassured.

It’s the last week of the month, so determined to collect a few more NSD’s. It’s also payday on Thursday so looking forward to putting some money toward the debt and get organised for July. Lastly, I’m also going to keep going with my health kick and exercise when I can and make healthier food choices. Watch this space.

Have a terrific week!

joeyjimbles

I'm so glad I mentioned Topcashback and Quidco - you won't get rich, but anytime you are making a big purchase you can make a few pounds. Not everything tracks of course, but we made £55 on car insurance and I got £25 for DS2s sim only contract (which was only £6/month anyway!). The other thing I do is that if I want to buy anything from somewhere like Debenhams or other stores that do click and collect, I may see it in the store but then I'll try and buy it online via TCB and I get a little percentage back. I let it add up and then use it towards a girls trip that I take once a year - its sort of guilt-free spending money for just adding a couple of clicks onto budgeted spending.

Glad you had a good weekend, and delighted that your GFs friends are supportive - so important to have a good network of positive people around you at any time but particularly when things are a bit difficult.