The Marching Minimalist

angelpye

Thanks Bob, ada and Macey. So nice to share it on here as in real life the depths of the situation isn't something I share so of course my friends congratulate me about the tickets but they don't realise how big a deal it is. Then the other actual debt stuff isn't shared at all anyway so can't share my wins either!


I was up until 3am sorting my YNAB...time flies when you are having fun? So that experiment will now commence. I need to sync to my phone still but will do that later.

First impressions is I quite like it but I do wish the scheduling of payments in/out could be somehow reflected on the budget, because things like my child benefit are pretty much guaranteed and I understand the reasons why, but it will be a long time before I get to a permanent position of having a months budget up front.

I have enough money to cover March in the bank but it is quite sobering to see that April needs quite an injection to meet all my obligations and although I believe it will come in in dribs and drabs its definitely a new way of looking at things. I just wish there was a way to schedule what is predicted so it shows on the budget as predicted and then shows whats left over or still needed. Instead I have done this on paper outside of the software so that I know the 'jobs' all the pounds that are already in there are doing. With the reassurance of what is due in over March and April will cover the rest of April. Then my income increase in May will mean a little reshuffle. Does that make sense? :rotfl:

Still marking time on the debt but this part of my journey is about getting through to May and getting everything in place to never be in this position again - I can't believe how very close I am to not being able to meet my basic needs, that is not responsible parenting and I will not do it again. The living to my bank balance habit is gone!

JoJoC

You sound like you have it all under control, angelpye. A tough couple of months to get through, but when May comes along it'll hopefully be worth it!

Treadingonplaymobil

I do my YNAB the 'wrong' way, in that I budget all my outgoings for the month, and then I know that the shortfall is what I need to make (rather than inputting outgoings as money comes in - I find that doesn't work for me due to variable income, so I end up overspending when I have money and then having nothing). I have a separate document which lists my essential minimum monthly income, guaranteed income (DH's salary, my minimum income, child benefit) and shortfall. It works well - I think it's probably quite a good habit not to input income that hasn't yet arrived, even if you know it's coming - I am perfectly clever and have an A-Level in maths, but you wouldn't believe how many times I double-allocated something when my budget included not-yet-here income (allocate it once before it's come in, try to allocate it to something different when it arrives, realise there's a bigger shortfall than I expected, panic wildly).

I would say give YNAB a good 3 months to get your head round it and get into the way it works - it's unlike any other budgeting system/program I've used, but it works really well once you get the method that works for you.

Bobarella

Angel I totally get that. IRL everyone is about what they are doing not what they are saving

angelpye

Thanks TPM, yes I definitely need to see it this as an experiment but like I said so far I like it and obviously the aim is to get you into the healthy position of ageing your money which is the ultimate dream. I don't think I could cope with red being there telling me I didn't have enough - I think I am the sort that it was built for because the red just makes me anxious! Ha!

Bob, thanks, these things can be a little hardcore but I am determined to take what I need from it and see what lessons I can learn -whilst remembering lots of people are in the same position as me and I am doing ok.

Bobarella

Exactly, you are doing ok. Probably better than many in fact.

angelpye

Time for an update

So its been over a month since my LBM and coming up to month of writing this diary and I can't help but feel pleased with myself. I am feeling in control of my finances and so much lighter for it!

Trials this month (but nothing I couldn't handle )
* Car needed a few bits done to it that I was unprepared for
* Income dropped so I adjusted my budget, again.
* Grant I was awarded for course already paid for was for 1/3 less than I was told it would be.
* Had bigger telephone bill than expected...sticker now on phone to remind of new package!
* Reviewing my credit report. Had to face it and glad I did.


Wins so far:
* Review of my credit report showed I had paid off more of my mortgage than I thought so stands at £110,784
* My debt now stands at £2476.09 which means is going down and not up!
* I had £50 credited to my CC account due to a complaint I made.
* I managed an extra payment to CC above my usual repayment DD.
* I got a grant which covered the accommodation of my little holiday with DD in the summer and a little left over.
* I got an extra unexpected payment by T/credits which I put by for emergencies.
* Won family ticket for theatre show which meant DD could invite best friend.
* Won tickets to a show which means I can catch up with a friend very low cost.
* YNAB for free due to student status and loving it - never felt so in control of what my money is doing!
* Free two main meals voucher due to mix up with my bill.
* Free dough balls voucher for same restaurant as filled out online feedback survey.
* Have used gym pass and low mood spells are improving.
* Almost at £25 voucher for survey site
* Over £25 collected on another survey site
* Food budget is working and I am getting used to not having lots of stores plus enjoying the healthier balance.
* Found gift vouchers I keep loosing track of: £60 Zara, £51.80 for my favourite independent clothes store, 2 x spa.
* Sorted refund for driving licence I paid for 2 years ago and just didn't sort out.
* Sorted out driving licence so no fear of fine lingering.

Things identified to do:
* Compare energy bill when comes as looks like could save £100 and still stay green.
* Compare phone and internet when expected BT price hike letter arrives as this allows for break of contract (according to poster in Post Office).
* Apply for claim with Experian for miss selling insurance.
*Life assurance investigation and possible switch.
*Eb@y unnecessary stuff.

So this month I have received £156.10 worth of freebies and also chased money from various places. The freebies were such a blessing as YNAB has really helped make budgeting more simple and the tickets will enable some much needed fun.

At the point of my LBM I was so devastated by the realisation of what I had done and full of anxiety, guilt, anger at myself and frequent panic. I am now feeling so much calmer and lighter. I still get waves of some of these emotions and I am sure along the way that I will feel them again. But, I am also sure that this feeling I have of being in control will continue and as the debt reduces and the conscious living continues I will gain more peace.

The support and knowledge on here has been amazing and I am so glad I came back for this my third and final march out of debt.

Marching on...

Bobarella

You are doing so well, that is an epic list of achievement in just 1 month! So pleased for you.

angelpye

Thank you Bob, feels really good to write it all down and see what I can do if put my mind to it!

Treadingonplaymobil

Wow, that's a fantastic list! Really well done on everything you've achieved this month