Adventures of the Boy & Me..

Chandelier.

So.. yesterday was a busy day at work and continued to be so afterwards. After I finished work, the boy asked if we could go for a walk and for something to eat and then to the arcades. I have barely seen him all week due to returning to work and it being rather full on so after much thought and deliberation, I agreed, We went with my mum whom then stated she would pay for half of the meal, so spends were minimal as we all had a meal deal and it was actually nice to spend quality time together all three of us. We spent no more then £5 in the arcades. The time together over compensates what I had spent.

If I am 100% honest I am feeling the pressure of returning back to work after two weeks off. I totally underestimated how tired I would feel and with the uncertainty of my future and the pressure which is upon me, it is taking its toll slightly. I am slightly more anxious and feel as if I need some escape, however I have the next two days off to recollect myself and gain back my composure.

I never really mention much about my savings/what I save each month. Currently, I save £200 a month into a help to buy ISA which has approximately £4000. I also have a separate savings account which had £2500 in for just in case emergencies and I add to this where possible. If you actually total what I have saved/left in bank account against the debt its pretty much a positive balance.

However today I have decided to use some of my savings to further pay off some debt. My reasoning for this was to cut down the number of cards I pay to each month, meaning I only have two balances to manage now. I will update these balances in a separate post.

I have quite a lot on my mind at the moment and need to get myself organised for the upcoming week ahead. I need to hunt out my diary and document all upcoming plans for the month ahead in order to manage my time effectively. Although sometimes I come across as organised, I am the most disorganised person ever and tend to procrastinate!

Chandelier.

Overpayments 04/06/2017

Barclaycard: £400.00
Virgin: £250.00
MBNA: £100.00
Halifax: £50.00

Total: £800.00

Chandelier.

Total Debt: 4th June 2017

Barclaycard: £0
Virgin: £0
MBNA: £3000.00
Halifax: £3000.00

Total: £6000.00

Chandelier.

Updated balances and interest rates.


MBNA: £3000.00 (0% until December 2018)
Halifax: £3000.00 (0% until February 2019)

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Ideally I would like to clear both balances before the 0% interest rates run out, however due to the uncertainty of my future at this current time I shall take each month as it comes.

The idea is that at the beginning of every month I shall make at least a minimum of £100 payment to each card and if I have any extra funds I shall set these aside into a separate account and make extra repayments where possible.

I need to reiterate to myself that this isn't a race and I do need to keep building up my emergency fund as I have done previously. I can obviously review my savings every so often and make lump repayments if required.

In my head the sooner this debt is gone (even though its on 0% for a lengthy time), the better. I will have a lot more disposable income each month to then save for future plans.

UncannyScot

Hi Chandelier
Finally caught up with your diary and you are doing great

SpekySquarehead

Morning,

Would you be better focusing on 1 card and paying that off as opposed to splitting it? You'll also then have the motivational feeling when you get rid of 1.

MistyMountainTop

I'm impressed with your savings!!!

You sound very determined, it must feel great to have those extra cards gone. :T

Chandelier.

Thanks UncannyScot!

Speky.. I think I'll focus on both cards for now splitting equal payments for now and in the future, I shall most likely concentrate on the card which ends first (MBNA). Although both are similar in end dates.

The other option would be to pay minimal payments to both cards and save the extra into a savings account with interest then make lump sums. However at present time my heads not 100% to be further messing around with opening new accounts once again. I need to keep things simple for now.

I think I'd just like to see equally the numbers on both debts come down.

Another option could be pay both debts an equal amount each month but pay any extra over payments to one card only. This may be the better option.

I just have a thing which bugs me when it comes to bank accounts, debt etc. I like the figures to end to the nearest hundred (i.e. £2900). I find when they end with any other number (i.e. £2950) it makes me a bit tetchy. Don't get me started on the extra pounds/pennies. They get swept to a side account that I ignore until it builds up to a decent sum. It currently has around £20 in there. I'll let it build up a little while longer before I decide what to do with it.

Misty.. I've always managed to save each month for the past couple of years. I would have a heck of a lot more if I hadn't been on the holidays I had been. If worse comes to worse I've accepted the fact I may need to dip into these in the future. After the over payments from the other day I now have £1800 left in my accessible savings. I will most likely build this back up over the next few months.

I have a few upcoming expenses in the next three months.

July - Car Tax £180. I pay this annually.

August- Car insurance, unknown figures yet but must shop around. Last year it was £415 but on all sites this year when I've had a look they are wanting near enough double. I'm not sure why as I've had no accidents, my NCD has gone up and I'll be 25 by the time I renew. Eurgh. So I'll have to shop around closer to the date. It's also the boys birthday this month but he's away on his actual birthday with his dad, unsure what we'll do yet to celebrate.

September: £140 professional fees. I pay this annually.

So I definitely do need to build my savings back up to prepare for these outgoings. I could put them on direct debits but this means it would work out more expensive and more outgoings each month. Which I obviously don't want. Something will work itself out.

But until I know where I stand money wise I won't make too many solid plans/goals in fear of letting myself down.

In other news I had my tax credits renewal form through post. I could potentially recieve an overpayment of £400. I just need to send off the renewal and sit back and wait.

I've ummed and ahhed over whether to do it now or wait until I know what's happening job wise. I think I'll just bite the bullet and do it now and inform them of any further changes to my circumstances down the line.

I'm hoping the idea is that I'll go part time and reduce my hours- more to benefit my health. I have a few appointments in the upcoming weeks which will give me more of an insight to what I'll do.

Today I have a resilience training course to attend. A whole three hours. I suppose it will do me good but I have to say I'm quite resilient after everything I've been through.

I've also an appointment with my consultant who will review my meds and no doubt change them/add something else into the mix. I'm accepting this now and will continue to work alongside them. My mum will also be attendinf the appointment. At the moment I've hit the depression phase on the Bipolar and it's not pretty but I'm doing all I can to remain upbeat and positive. I need to keep myself well and see the light from under the rock I'm hiding under.

The important bit is I'm still engaging and seeking the appropriate help. I'm also forcing myself out the house and to do things I do not necessarily want to do.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Chandelier.

To do list today:

- Attend course.
- Phone breakfast club.
- Attend appointment.
- Double check course details for tomorrow.
- Double check the boys ice skating lesson.
- Arrange childcare for afterschool tomorrow and for Thursday.

Planned spends for today:-
- Car parking for training course.

Last night I finally put petrol in the car. £30 out of the budget for the month. I'm more aware of my driving and trying to limit use of car where possible (cut out short journeys) and become aware of my driving habits.

Hiddenidenity

I have nothing really to add. You're so organised you're doing amazing.

You should be very proud of yourself x