3rd Time Lucky?!- Attempting to clear £6645.93 of debt in 105days (3months+13days)!!

Shelbi

Hey Debtfreeduo:hello:

Its true money is definitely a subject we skip over..its more tboo and tends to make people uncomfortable...Its a shame really, we could help and learn from one another...I keep my situation pretty much to myself

Oh my gosh budgeting 3/4 months is amazing...you must be so great at it budgeting...I have to say i'm really impressed by that, It must take great effort and organisation to factor in everything...Its awesome you will only use your overdraft in case of an emergency. I remember I used mine way up until a few years back though it wasnt 0% by then. I feel like im getting better but will definitely be taking your advice creating a more realistic budget & factor in treats to keep me from any major blow outs... Thank you honey!! will post it shortly...very much appreciated:beer: xX

Shelbi

So after a few colleagues leaving my work place over the past year today I found out (unofficially) that a few people are not getting their contracts renewed. They are really lovely people, friendly smart, people that are genuinely great/fun to work with. Its sad really.

I cant help thinking although I'm on a different team and I'm on a fixed contract it doesn't mean I'm in the clear. I'm not worried about finding employment if it came to that...I just really dislike the uncertainty and the tension its creating. One things for sure Its definitely the motivation to stay the course and clean up these debts.

More debt busting and being alert and ready for whatever's coming next.. Happy Friday everyone... Oh a low spend day £4 treats for office- it was Friday and needed....The atmosphere was grim! Other than that it was a nice day...am really glad its the weekend though. Happy for the break.

Sx

DebtFreeDuo

I'm not great at budgeting I just don't have much choice. My spreadsheet does all the work for me, I have all of my bills input for the year along with the income when its due in, any balance that is left when I receive my next payment gets split into different pots. I also factor in any upcoming birthdays or events or yearly costs and deduct that too.

The uncertainty of anything is definitely the worst thing, I currently have uncertainty on my living situation, I've been here a long time and I'm worried at the thought of having to find somewhere else to live but I'm hoping it won't come to that. Whilst debt busting these things definitely help us realise just how important that emergency fund is for things like this arising.

Shelbi

Hi Debtfreeduo...Yore so right not knowing is definitely a horrible feeling and is definitely inspiring me to keep my debt busting going and get a fully loaded emergency fun asap... I love the different pot idea, and factoring in up and coming birthdays...I have been trying to do that in my budget but can only do a couple of months at a time- anymore fries my brain but im working on it!! I feel a lot better now...as OH keeps telling me no point worrying until something happens and come what may id be fine...hes right not that id ever tell him so...In the mean time Im still working on this.


Hope your having a fab week honey! x

Shelbi

So its almost payday and although ive been MIA im still on the wagon...ive just been getting out of the flat a little... no overdraft/credit card or savings were used. Ive managed to put away a little more- so my end of the month figure for Oct is £1213.22/4603.46 (26% of my 100% grid)... I so cant wait for payday Im ready for the next part...Ive been inspired by recent events its made me more determined to shift my debts and get sorted. Hope everyone had a fab day today..x

DebtFreeDuo

26% is fab! Well done and I'm glad you have been staying on top of things even though you have been away from here, I think the worst thing we can do is lose our focus and not check in, I know for me that always means that I'm spending on things I shouldn't be! Have a lovely evening.

Shelbi

Hi debtfreeduo, Thank you hun, I'm getting there slowly but surely I definitely need to check in more frequently...You're right It helps massively.. Any time Ive failed before was due to not checking in and leading myself astray I hope all is well with you hun and youve had a fab weekend xX

Thankfully this time I've been away but I'm still debtslaying...payday has been and gone...I've opted for the NSK approach this time, paybills first and live on the rest. I will post this months budget tomorrow but as it stands I have paid £120 to cc (min pay), £223 DD to loan taken and £973.25 sent to the loan overpayment account. Total paid/set aside is £2210.94 (48% Im getting there) Now just need to hold it down and stick to my budget set for the month which I'm confident I can do...any underspends or additional income will be going straight to the accounts even if its small.;)

This weekend was really lovely...Saturday I spent time up the highstreet with mum we hit the charity shops... I got 3 jumpers and a teapot im going to customise. It was quite fun and although you had to do alot of digging I stuck to what I needed all for £12:money: I also got 4 Christmas presents so ive made a start there and combined 3 for 2's with event at b00ts so also now have £21.61 worth of points so will use that to get some more stocking fillers...also plan to make use of pound land for treats and activity boxes. Also have £6.41 coming from quidco payment.

Have paid the rent and all other outgoings. and did a meat shop using 3for £10 and a dine with me, choosing whole chicken dessert and wine I also got a £20off voucher...so it came to £52 in total. Made sure only things brought were with meals in mind.
Am trying to be more organised in future.

Wine was useful as we went to cousins for dinner & to watch the boxing, We took the wine and the dessert with us as thanks! Was a fab evening. I will be taking a leaf out of missymoos81's diary and will challenge myself to spend £10 per week for the rest of the month. thats an extra £40 in the food budget. (dont worry I know i said I would increase my food budget to £200pm and ive put that in my budget just incase but I want to try and see if we can do it on £90...and pocket the rest, I wont feel to bad if I cant but you never know);) I will try.

This month my goals are :

1. no spending on lunch- packed lunch only
2. 18 NSD's
3. meal plan every week (I will get the hang of this)
4. Clear out things and list at least 5 items on ebay/ziffit etc
5. stay the course & check in every day
6. keep to phone data allowance lol
7. have fun whilst clearing down debt

Another piece of Christmas prep, we dont have a tree here, last year we had a real one so needed to get one for this year, was going to get an artificial one and save but Mum was giving her old one away, as she has a new one...so swooped in to pick that up..little saving there:j feeling good, feeling inspired, feeling blessed! Hope youi all had a fantastic weekend!! Sx

Shelbi

Afternoon everyone...How beautiful is it outside today!!


Ok so have spent first part of lunch updating my budget....Brought lunch in (soup, left over roasted ham, cheese and bread). Have just sent another £90.79 to loan account taking me to 50% of my loan , 56.95% of overall debt.


Ive worked out I have £367.77 left in the bank which will be earmarked for:


Petrol- £10 (£20 already paid- did a lot of driving over weekend expect to spend another £10)
Food- £100 left in kitty (aim to spend only another £40 or £50- pocket the rest)
Dining out/date night- £50
Beauty spend- £10
Clothes- £10
Work Night out - £40
Bonfire night- £30
Cinema w/girls- £20
Oyster top up -£10 (out of zones exp) ...


That should come to £280. The other £87.77 im hoping to use as a further 1.91% payment but also just as a buffer just in case! If I have this left over at the end of the month I will pay it to Loan, but don't want to leave myself short. This month Ive paid £1400 off so I think its sound to do this.


Christmas pressies Ive sorted the list- budgeted £410 for everyone (33 people- my family is large & friends have a lot of children-or blessings as Ive come to know them. OH has agreed to only spend £50 on each other bless him:happyhear Ive got 3 out of the 33 gifts and have £362 left to spend this will be spread over the next couple of months:eek: Its so close now.:xmassmile..thinking perhaps that £87.77 will be for xmas pressies..soften the blow a bit. Will also utilise, boots points and any vouchers/cash backs I have/get! Ok back to work I get.. have a fab day guys xX

enthusiasticsaver

It sounds like you are getting to grips with budgeting so well done.

I think that in view of your job uncertainty and the fact your credit card is relatively high it might be better to put some savings aside in an emergency fund and target the credit card so you clear it before the 0% deal expires. Undoubtedly it will then be more expensive than the loan and if you have no job it will be nigh on impossible to get another 0% deal.

Shelbi

Thank you enthusiasticsaver...

Youre right it would be a good to concentrate on the credit card...but I figured since the overpayment is held in an account if the worse happened I'd just use that to pay the minimum on both until I got another job...the 0% on my card ends in May'18 so I think to play it safe ill just keep putting in the loan saving account until its complete...but without paying it over until the credit card tackled too...im not to worried about work as I was I've spoken to a few people about it and I feel come what may I'd really do thibk id be ok. Though always smart to have a good umbrella incase it rains. My savings for loan over payment could act as an emergency fund also.
Thank you enthusiastic...For the food for thought& help...really very appreciated xX