Reducing Debt - being accountable and taking responsibility

wishingthemortgaheaway

Indeed. Excellent planning I shall wait with anticipation for the day, whilst the rest of the world wait on tenterhooks for what exiting the EU will actually look like, you will be popping the champagne cork and dancing on the tables.

marcsshell

Woohoo you must be super excited to be nearly debt free. I can't wait for my debt free day which sadly is way off in the future. X

redofromstart

Brilliant progress. The tricky bit for me was transferring the same woohoo cleared a bit enthusiastic to the growing savings mountain so you keep the momentum up as you keep channelling that spare cash away.

DrSpendLittle

Yesterday turned out to be a NSD after all. Neither of us could face getting the car out from under its snow cover and popping to the shops, so we made do with what we had and ended up with a really random Spanish supper.

Anyhoo, definitely need to visit the shops today as we're low on milk and have nothing in for dinner. Can't face mince from the freezer again.

WFH so no fuel / car parking costs. Busy weekend lined up with a few sporting events.

Redo - yes, I imagine the shift from debt slaying to saving can be tricky at first. I have decided to save up for an extravagant pair of shoes as my debt free treat. It'll be July at the earliest that I can get them. Then, it's full steam ahead to thinking about moving, saving a fully funded emergency fund, saving cash for a new (to us) car (DF is completely on board with avoiding car finance) and seeking the advice of a financial planner about retirement dates and pension pots. Then there's starting a family. Lots to get stuck into, so I'm hoping all that will keep me on the straight and narrow.

DSL

DrSpendLittle

I want to throw another £77.47 on my CC so my repayments total £12K.

Will probably need to wait for some expenses to come in though.

I afraid that taking it from savings will cause some sort of cosmic reaction and result in a broken oven or a leaking shower or something that eats up my savings stash. Best keep it untouched!

wishingthemortgaheaway

Do you already Tilly tidy? If not, now is the time to start.
I usually cream off about £75 a month is Tilly tidies. (But then I use ynab and 'overbudget' most of my bills because I like nice round numbers, so, £20 in the phone bill pot when, I'm reality it will only cost me £12-13.

I too am a 'treat myself when I've achieved something' person.
I have 2 'special' handbags, one I bought when I finished a huge project at work and another I bought when I paid off my student loan. They are so special to me. My purse is my 'new job treat' from my previous job, I didn't buy anything when I got this job, but I need to rectify this, I'm thinking another bag, but I'm not sure what I want said bag to do yet, so I'll wait until I'm certain.

DrSpendLittle

No I don't Tilly tidy - I like to have the exact amount that is due in the line items on YNAB and everthing to look green, not grey This works for immediate obligations and monthly expenses.

For my annual expenses e.g. car maintenance, hair cuts etc, I let any unspent amounts roll over to the next month. To be honest, I've only just started doing it this way. I used to do scorched earth, where I'd not operate sinking funds and just put everything onto the CC. Any unanticipated expenses would be put on the CC and paid off the next month, deducting the cost from that months CC payment. It all got a bit complicated and I started Credit card surfing.

I'll reassess my line items towards the middle of the month and see if I want to scrape any to create the £77.46 I need. I just don't want to tempt fate :rotfl:

DrSpendLittle

A few spends to note today. I've purchased a new lunch box for taking home made lunches into the office. I'm determined to eat healthier at work and I'm planning on adopting a 'bento' approach rather than the dreaded dull sandwich. I avoided the temptation of buying a bento cook book - I can use the web for recipes for now. Have used my personal spends budget.

Just booked a hair appointment for next week. Have used my hairdresser budget.

Also ordered some replacement (generic) printer cartridges from Amaz0n. Have used my household maintenance budget.

Still not decided on whether to keep the jeans I've bought, mainly because I haven't had time to try them on and think about what they will match in my existing wardrobe. A job for tomorrow when work is less manic.

What else?

DF went to the supermarket earlier for to get stuff for dinner tonight. I'll be doing an Ocado shop tomorrow but need to meal prep for dinners and lunches before hand.

Have a good weekend everyone!

DrSpendLittle

Having to work today. Not a full day, but I want to clear one task before next week starts so I know I have it done. Done most of it, just another hour or so to go.

Our plans for the weekend are evening based so I'm not missing out on anything.

Had a NSD so far. No spends planned. Hoping cosmic reactions are favourable and it stays that way

Have meal prepped for next week and completed my 0cado order. Should have no work lunch costs.

I'm beginning to notice how expensive food is becoming. Things like apples and peppers. Even limes and lemons. Will drive by Aldee at some point on Monday to pick those things up - I decided the convenience of getting everything from 0cado was not worth the added cost!

DSL

Debsnewbudget

just got to the end of your diary. Well done.