£16,000 debt, turning regret into positive action.

Cherryfudge

Did you go for the no-spend month?

I buy Easter eggs but no other special stuff - though I will probably make a special effort for Sunday dinner at Easter. It's very close to DS's birthday, though, so we'll be sending on that.

LadyP01

I have failed miserably with a no spend month! It has completely got away from me where Iv been busy. It's an aim I would love to get to... someday.

I think I need to come back to this thread and start posting more daily or weekly to keep me focused as although it's not all gone eratic I am defiantly looking at clothes more and just thinking about spending a lot more than before and I want to refocus my mind.

Month to date I have £11.36 left in my funds for spending... I have been particularly speedy on junk food this month.

£53 left in petrol.
And about £150 left in my clothes account where I save up to replace things I need like shoes or treat myself (£40 a month goes in here)

I have easter to organise and I have £30 to do so. I only have to purchase for my brother and family which will just be eggs I think.
My mum who I actually want to get something really nice for.

We have £100 in our account to do something together so we're planning a nice blow out night over Easter that we have been saving for. Thank god for Britain's got talent... helping us avoid going out.

Other thing I need to do is put my bank card in my purse. I carry it around with me andnuse it for convenience making t harder to see my budget.

Hollysof88

Hi, that's brilliant. Can i ask what company your loan is with?? That's the amount I'm looking to borrow to consolidate my debts.

Cherryfudge

Hi Lady PO1, hope you're okay? April sounded tough.

LadyP01

@hollysof88 bit late now but Halifax.

So it's been ages and I can't believe it's been that long... May! So much has happened since.

We managed to buckle on through nicely to the wedding and paid everything easily. Honeymoon was fantastic and all our gift money was used for doing things whilst there and not on items.

No regrets on the spending for the wedding it was a great day had by all and every penny was worth it for all our loved ones.

Now we are back and getting out that money for to the other side.

We are now looking to purchase a house. I'm interested to know if anyone for a mortgage with debt? I'm aware of the percentage to loan based on income and outgoings and we actually have a good percentage of available money for a mortgage. After bills it's £1700 a month 'spare' we only use 43% of our income on current bills. So what would our chances be?

I have set a plan up for us to work to allowing us a little bit more freedom then before the wedding but not to much.

New budget and state of affairs to be posted. Massive joint debt now aswell but we will be smashing through that the way I know we can

Feels great to be back. Going to check through on everyone's journeys

LadyP01

Iv had a long day just thinking and considering our options and how much I want our own property but also how much I want to be debt free.

We have an allowance for fun each that I think is to high but my husband wants to enjoy life a little so I agreed to a higher amount. I'm considering however going back to the beginning of this journey of
Mine where I spent very little each month looking for cheaper alternatives and wondering if I could personally do that and save my money up for my future... a new phone if I ever need one although I believe I will just repair my current one until it is no more. Possibly even dare I say it save enough to pay off some debt... I'm fighting with everything should be fair and that's my money to enjoy and I'd rather just be debt free and pay it off.

The other thing is I have a nice car, maybe if I start saving now I would be able to get a nice car again one day with my own little pocket of money once were debt free again.

Just my musings for the evening.

LadyP01

So today I'm thinking about the things I have to do and how I can achieve them as cheaply as possible.

First, I have our wedding cards that I want to keep. I'm looking at the cheapest way to store and preserve them. Originally I was going to do a scrap book but that involves buying a scrap book.
I'm considering a whole punch and some nice ribbon that I have as the most zerowaste and nicest way to keep them together for the future? Any ideas?

Second... I have loads of al birthday cards that I planned on reusing. They are cluttering up and I want to declutter. Going to cut the good ones out to
Mount onto new cards to recycle which was always the main aim. Next Iv seen this morning about making old cards into present boxes! Ideal as this brings me onto another project I'm working on...

Eco wrapping. I'm refusing to use wrapping paper again. It's not recyclable and I just don't want to make more waste in the world than needed and with Christmas coming up I wanted to make a cloth wrap box for presents. My aim is to take all the material in this house that isn't used and put it in the new wrap box and ask my family to wrap my presents with them and add some how to cards with the box. I have been saving lots of material which is also stacking up. By getting this done now it will be ready in time for Christmas.

Lastly on the same subject, wrapping for friends and family. I'm ok the hunt in second hand world for stamps... my plan is to use brown paper that can be recycled and decorate them with names and tags etc. I don't have enough wrap to date to be using it for external family especially with Christmas needed so much and a variety. A good start would be to use brown recycled paper and decorate for external.

Also queue my Christmas planning to start soon, it's all buzzing around my head of how to have a nice cheap Christmas.

Rebecca01

We are now looking to purchase a house. I'm interested to know if anyone for a mortgage with debt? I'm aware of the percentage to loan based on income and outgoings and we actually have a good percentage of available money for a mortgage. After bills it's £1700 a month 'spare' we only use 43% of our income on current bills. So what would our chances be?

I guess it depends hugely on how much the debt stands at? How much deposit you have? Do these cancel each other out?

jaydeejay

Ask about mortgages on the mortgage board perhaps?
Xmas pressies - lots of different ideas about alternative ways of managing this with family and friends, have you thought about changing things around so that it becomes cheaper/more meaningful/less pressurised/stressful?
Secret Santa for adults
Buy only for kids under certain age
present amnesty with friends/at work
limit amount and cost per person
Keep on keeping on
JDJ

LadyP01

Rebecca- essentially I could use the deposit to clear the debts. That's why we're going to talk to someone to see what's best. I want to be debt free but we also need to move out so if we don't buy we need to rent so it's weighing all our options up and seeking the correct guidance on what we would
Be best to do.

Jaydejay- thanks I was thinking of going and lerking around those boards a little. Christmas is cheap for us I start it early hunting around charity shops and sales etc getting thoughtful items rather than panic buying expensive tat.
I opted out of secret Santa at work last year and will do again but I've planned something super cheap and meaningful for a few people.. avg cost of 80p each. Main plan is to get it done and sorted early to avoid any heavy costs.

Saying the above it's the stocking fillers that can add up a little... need to cut that down somehow. Most of my
Gifts this year will be zerowaste inspired so bars of soaps reusable straws, bottles etc.