Reducing Debt - being accountable and taking responsibility

DrSpendLittle

Thanks all! It hasn't sunk in yet. Still a bit :eek:

Busy day in the office (I brought a packed lunch with me!!) with back to back meetings. Put fuel in the car this morning but I'm hoping that'll be my only spends today. I got meat out of the freezer for dinner before leaving for work and I think we have all the other ingredients needed in the store cupboard.

Waiting on a Memorandum of Sale before we can progress our mortgage application (we need it as proof of deposit). Hoping to get that soon and then we can get the underwriting process started. The broker has all the other necessary info (statements, P60s etc - I was organised and had all these to hand already) and has just told me that we've passed the initial credit check. So, once we have the MoS, we're good to go! I'm so glad we used a broker and have someone to do all the chasing for us.

Not sure on spends for the rest of the week. I suspect once our solicitors get their act together on our purchase, we'll need to pay a deposit for the searches. I've read that can be around £300. Other than that, I think just a food shop and perhaps some small social spending this weekend.

DSL

SnuggleBuggles

As for upcoming spends, make sure there's some for a celebratory bottle of bubbly, DSL. You both absolutely deserve it.

Your timing in becoming debt free is impeccable by the way - literally just in time for your new house purchase. How marvellous! :beer:

DrSpendLittle

Thanks Snugglebuggles!! . Funnily enough, DF mentioned something about taking me out for dinner to thank me for micro managing the finances and sorting the mortgage. I think I'll take him up on that!

No much to report in other spending news. WFH today and tomorrow so no spends needed. Was in the office yesterday so had petrol spends but I took my lunch in

We really do need to get a food shop in as we are running very low on things. The freezer is nearly empty so defrosting that is this weekend's job. Finally!

Still feeling super protective of my money. Looking forward to my first paycheck as a debt free gal. I get to keep every penny of it and decide where it goes! Can't wait.

Weather is beautiful today, if not cold. Fancy getting out on a walk later. I have some documents to drop off at the solicitors so might take the opportunity to walk there instead of drive.

DSL

DrSpendLittle

Not much happening over here - middle of the month slump. Been good on spends recently. Nothing frivolous or indulgent. Still watching guard on my pennies.

Savings down a little as had conveyancing spends. All expected and doing what its there to do.

Things moving forward as expected on the house move. Just the usual waiting for one thing to happen before another can etc etc.

Not sure on plans for Easter. Might go and visit the in laws but its all up in the air at the moment. Weather looks good either way.

DrSpendLittle

Not sure what I'm going to post but I feel the need to.

The middle of the month slump combined with the uncertainty / anxiety of house selling and buying has me in a reflective mood.

I still feel like I'm in debt. It's really weird. It's taking much longer than I anticipated to sink in.

I think it's just that everything is happening so quickly - in the past 6 weeks I've become debt free, marketed and accepted an offer on our home, gone through the process of viewing various other potential homes, offered on a dream home and had it accepted, applied for a mortgage AND had a manic time at work. I'm just exhausted from it all.

The ongoing uncertainty is unsettling. I think once we (fingers crossed!) move into our new home, we will have to really indulge in a big fat treat

We've both bought ourselves a little treat today to keep us going I ordered a new pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a top (I may not keep them all, let's see when they arrive). DF saw me ordering them online and said he was too going to treat himself to something that he wanted to buy yesterday but that is now half price. He's been very good with saving recently!

The oven has beeped and dinner is done so I best go and feed DF!!

DSL

Honeysucklelou2

Congratulations on becoming debt free and having your offer accepted. Exciting times!

wishingthemortgaheaway

DSL, could your feelings of 'this doesn't quite feel right' be because you are still technically living on your 'when I was in debt' budget this month? It's only going to be from the end of April/beginning of May when you get your next pay check and you have £1000 'extra' to budget to savings/things you want to spend on? April is feeling like a very long month (aren't they all?) bit, come May, or even payday you will be in 'post debt budget' and able to think true 'debt free thoughts'

Wish.

enthusiasticsaver

I think wishing has a point in that although you are debt free you are having to keep money aside to pay for moving costs etc due to house purchase/sale. You are not yet working to a new budget so any spare cash is going towards moving.

liselle

I've moved many times and always use the packers from the removal company, as if anything' s broken,their insurance pays out, no question.They usually arrive the day before the move and will give you boxes if you prefer to pack personal items yourself.And the hanging wardrobe boxes are excellent!
Very best wishes for the move and many congratulations on being debt-free

DrSpendLittle

Thanks folks! I think you're right - I'm still watching the pennies and I think that's part of it. I reckon when I get my next paycheck, I will have a big smile on my face as it will all be mine

I've had some spends over the past few days on organisational stuff for the house. I plan to tidy, garden and declutter over the next couple of weeks. I've already got a big bag of old electrical stuff to take to the tip and a few things for charity. Most of the spaces that attract clutter (bottom draw in the kitchen, under the stairs etc...) need to be sorted, sifted and organised and the stuff I don't want to take with me to the (fingers crossed!!) new house disposed of.

Currently at the in laws (they don't live far away) and having a fairly relaxing easter. Had a couple of NSDs too.

Hoping to hear about our mortgage application this week. I just want to get on with the process now. We passed the initial credit checks and are just waiting for the bank's valuation to come back. Once that is (hopefully!!) all agreed and the offer issued, we can then instruct solicitors and pay for a full structural survey. I am hoping to be in our (fingers crossed!!) new home by the middle of June. It might be a bit of a push but hopefully we can make it.

Spends this week should be low. We've plenty of food in, though we may need to stock up on some fresh stuff when we go back tomorrow. Will be working at home most of the week so limited spends on fuel and lunches etc. Looking forward to payday. We're on the downward slope towards it now. Not long to go.

DSL