Finally found the strength to get debt free 💪

Angela84

Another no spend day today so that’s 3 in a row! Really like these no spend days, like how they’re becoming very normal for me. I’m just glad I’ve got nothing I need to spend money on, always taking pack lunches and drinks with me for the children, knowing there’s enough food in the house and getting petrol the same day each week.
Tomorrow I’ll have to spend as we’ve got hospital so need to pay for the car park, but there shouldn’t be anything else, unless I treat us for lunch before hand. I might do.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sorry to hear about your anxiety Angela. I hope it doesn't happen again but it's a good idea to see your doctor. Weddings are always expensive :mad:.

You're doing well on the NSDs .

Angela84

Thursday was a nice cheap day, met friends for lunch before taking my son to the hospital, and my friend got us lunch as it had been my turn last time. So all I spent Thursday was £2.50 on parking, happy days!
Friday I did my food shop but decided on a very cheap week as have meals left over from last week so only spent £25 in Aldi. Paid £100 to Barclaycard, woo!
Nice cheap weekend planned, children’s birthday party today and then going for a nice autumn walk tomorrow. 9 days to Benidorm, getting excited now!

Angela84

Another cheap day, got my weekly petrol, and that’s all that was spent. Husband gave me some change to put in the birthday card for our friend; after years of buying presents that I’m always unsure if they’ll like it enow adopted a diffeeent strategy, and it’s working well: I stick a load of pound coins in a card. The children like peeling them all off and seem to enjoy the fact they’ve got their own money, and the parents can let them chose what they like. Or it can just go in their purse, I don’t actually mind.
I don’t give a lot of gifts nowadays. I’ve agreed with most friends now mutually not to bother, but if it’s a proper party I still tend to.
Having my daughters party soon, after a few years of not having parties, will be tough, I used to feel awful receiving tonnes of toys I knew my children wouldn’t play with. I used to save stuff and regift it but I’m not sure what I should do this time. Maybe spread the word about something she’d like that would be useful, like hair bands and books and craft things.

Cherryfudge

I hoped the doctor can be helpful: anxiety's such a bad feeling, and if you can't find what's set it off, it's hard to know how to deal with it.

How are preparations for the party going?

Angela84

Doctor rang me and prescribed me beta blockers so I’ve been experimenting with them this week and I do feel they are helping, thankfully.

Sunday was a lovely day, we visited a beautiful forest, and at this time of year it was just amazing to see all the colours. I just love nature, it just feels so refreshing being outdoors! A nsd too as took picnic and drinks.
Monday did errnads and bits and bobs, had to spend a little in Aldi and Iceland for food top ups.
Now today I’m off to meet some Mum friends at softplay, which will be free again as it’s my friend’s husband’s place, naughty but handy!
12 more weeks of barclaycard to go, the end is in sight! Feel so proud of myself to getting so far into this journey without just giving up. Could have so easily got all spendy again, but just keep focusing on that debt free time next year.

Party prep is all good, have hired a hall with a bouncy castle, invited lots of little people and going to do some big trays of food, then a cake at the end that you let the birthday girl blow germs all over, what a lovely tradition!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Your'e doing really well Angela, only twelve weeks for the Barclaycard is fantastic :T.

Glad the stuff the doctor gave you is helping with the anxiety.

I love Autumnn walks too, all those lovely colours

Hope the party goes well.

Angela84

A funny day today. 6 days before we go to Benidorm, and I kind of oaniced and found myself in town on my own walking around the shops, wondering why I was there! I don’t like going to the shops at the best of times, but without a purpose was so unlike me.
I did get 2 pairs of jeggins for £14 as realised I wear the same 4 pairs, 3 of which had bleach stains on them. And a new winter coat for £23 as my one from last year has never really grown on me and I knew I would be looking for a new one sooner or later.
Meal plans went well tonight, left over chilli from last night, plus chicken fajitas mix, so everyone could choose either to put in their wraps.
Dentist tomorrow Need a filling
Next week will be a cheap one as not here from Tuesday so won’t be doing much of a food shop this week, and won’t be buying petrol either. It should work out I can throw more money at barclaycard fingers crossed.
I can deny it was more exciting paying off debts when I first started as I started with the smallest ones so the victories and ticks on the list happened more often. This barclaycard I can obviously see going down but it’s slower. Next years going to be a long old road with the Lloyds £4450 card. Will have to think of mini challenges to keep me motivated

HairyHandofDartmoor

It is much harder to be motivated by big debts as they do go down agonisingly slowly. Mini targets is a good idea.

How about a little reward for yourself every time you pay off £500? You could also have a wall graph (where only you can see it, for example your bedroom) and stick gold stars on it whenever you pay off a set amount.

Angela84

Friday! Just paid £110 to Barclaycard so I’m now below the £6000 mark. And next week I can say I’ve paid back over £4000 this year, that’s a good feeling!
Busy day today doing errands, petrol, small food shop, renew library books for children, run cake sale in school, and grating the children to softplay after school as have some discount tickets.
A quiet weekend planned, just getting ready for our holiday Tuesday.