Adventures of the Boy & Me..

SpekySquarehead

I'm a bit like yourself when it comes to work. I've always felt, if you want a job done right, do it yourself. However I found if you delegate some tasks, to the right people, with the right instructions, it takes some weight of your shoulders and it should help them to feel valued and important. Great quote.

Chandelier.

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

I'm a bit like yourself when it comes to work. I've always felt, if you want a job done right, do it yourself. However I found if you delegate some tasks, to the right people, with the right instructions, it takes some weight of your shoulders and it should help them to feel valued and important. Great quote.

Speky, its so frustrating at times and usually I do have the mindset of do it all myself so I know it is done properly. I need to work on the whole being assertive and delegating tasks- for one it is part of my job role. Also I often find myself apologising at the end of the day when I haven't completed all tasks required. However the other week when I attended a resilience course, a lady there stated never apologise for what you haven't done as there is always tomorrow and other people who can do the tasks you haven't completed. It really opened up my mindset and I realised I place a lot of pressure and guilt on myself if I haven't completed everything I want to do- I often set the bar too high. This is a work in progress

Chandelier.

I've spent quite some time this morning reflecting on what I've achieved in the past year in regards to all aspects of life. I thought I would note it hear as a reminder of how far I have come.

In September last year, I had this brilliant idea of taking out a loan to pay off my car PCP- the PCP deal was due to end Aug 2019 with a balloon payment of £5800. The loan was a much lower interest rate of 3.3% compared to the APR of 6.4% and not including the flat rate (can't remember what the flat rate was). The outstanding balance of the car PCP was just under £11600. I was accepted for a loan of £11600 and immediately paid off the outstanding PCP balance.

Now the loan was to be spread over four years and with interest added it came to a total of £12395.87. The monthly payments were around £258. I let these payments tick over for the next few months and also made some lump payments from savings.

In December I had this bright idea I would use a few 0% money transfers to pay off as much as the loan balance as possible and in the end I was able to transfer the full amount from the loan across several cards. This saved me a lot of interest overall, and the transfer fees were minute compared to the loan interest.

Since then I kept up with payments each month, even when I was off sick and have used some savings to pay off lump sums. My debt today stands at £5000.

So in 10 months I have managed to reduce the debt by £7395.87 through the methods mentioned above and through overpayments.

I think its safe to say I've done a bloody good job given the circumstances of the past ten months. Looking at it from this point of view has made me less anxious about the debt that is left and maybe I should tackle it with a different approach rather then throwing all my spare cash/using savings to pay it off quicker then usual.

Overview of past 10 months.

- 4 months off work on SSP.
- Successful return to work.
- Day trip to Lapland.
- Two week holiday in Majorca.
- Passes bought for local theme park.
- Passes bought for other attractions.
- My health has improved, both physically and mentally.

That's probably not even half of it. But I am proud of what I have achieved :T.

JoJoC

You should be proud- that's such a positive round up and shows just how far you've come so far. I'll look forward to hearing about the rest!

MeandO

That is amazing progress in such a short amount of time Chandelier, you need to give yourself a really big pat on the back!

Chandelier.

JoJo, I never even thought about it until I looked back through old diaries and saw that figure.

I need to stop worrying about making huge overpayments and sit back and enjoy the ride ahead of me.

The plan ahead:

- Pay £200 a month on MBNA cc.
- Pay £50 a month on Halifax cc.

--

Future goals

- Bring MBNA card down to £750. By December 2017
- Bring Halifax card down to £2500. By December 2017

Chandelier.

So I've been to the dentist today and have been discussing treatment options. I really hate how my teeth look and I'm considering veneers. I know ultimately this will be expensive but it will be worth the boost to my confidence.

I've ummed and ahhed over the best way to finance this and I think I'm going to use a 0% purchase credit card. I've applied for one and been accepted for 29 months 0%.

I'm aware this means adding to my debt but it's not a decision I've taken lightly.

Maybe I might smile more once the work is done.

Chandelier.

Morning,

I'm currently sat in the garden listening to the birds. It's so peaceful.

Nothing much MSE wise to report. The funds for my car tax has finally left the account..

I've work today 7.30 until 3.30pm and then the boy has his extra curricular activity just before 5. I also need to go pick up my prescription and I need bloods taking today but I'll get that done at work.

I'm still umming and ahhing about the best way to finance having veneers done. Some may think I'm stupid getting them done but I have my own reasons why. It will just push my DFD back for a while but I'm sure I can cope with that.

I just want my confidence back. I hate my smile and often cover my mouth because I don't like my teeth. I've been thinking about them for a while and it's not just an impulse thought/idea/buy.

I have several upcoming events where I'd like to look my best and be able to smile without being paranoid about my teeth. One is a relatives close wedding where I'll be bridesmaid and the other is a cruise next year.

I just figure if I've managed to pay off amount previously mentioned in a year then I can do it again. I just need to work out a clear budget and payment plan.

My car debt would still be my first priority (get rid of them debts first) and then I can concentrate on paying off the dental treatment. I also have some savings I could put towards it but I'll leave myself with a safety net.

Decisions decisions.. some may think I'm barmy.. Maybe I am :rotfl:

Hiddenidenity

I'd get in debt to have my teeth done. I'd do it today if I could be brave enough to go, so I totally understand how you feel.

I think you should do it if it will make a difference to how you feel/happy and confidence x

System

Not popped in for a while , you seem to be very organised with everything and determined to be debt free as soon as possible.

Why don't you price up the dentistry work , and then take it from there .

Personally I would go for it , but look into the aftercare of veneers , I think if you are with an nhs dentist they won't look after the teeth with them on after . I seem to remember a work colleague saying. This may need you to go privately for further dentists trips in the future so may be a further cost.