This Duo's debt free journey

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you Nicnak, I am at least now feeling in control of my finances.

So from the remainder of this months budget, instead of putting it towards a new tyre, I have cleared a bill of £154. I will get a new tyre at the beginning of December with next months budget. I have all but one of my Christmas presents so this should be doable.

This leaves me with £84.06 for the rest of the month, if I don't count today then this gives me £9.34 per day. Given my little freezer challenge I think I can do this, so here goes. I think this is what I need to start thinking about my spending again.

Willowtree222

£9.34 per day is achievable if you have a full freezer and only need some fresh foods.

If you can cope with the tyre, then it's ok to put it in December. Amazing that you have bought all your christmas presents. I still have a few to get. I would like to do more fun things this year rather than spending last minute panics to buy presents. x

DebtFreeDuo

I'm hoping for a nice stress free December, we have a trip to the Pantomime already booked and paid for as I want this to be a part of our Christmas traditions. Its not a cheap tradition but its lovely. I need to start introducing more Christmas traditions, I might do some card making with DS but I'm unsure on other things that I could introduce.

Willowtree222

Loads of people commented on mine about baking, watching DVDs, making things, we've got matching pjs for Christmas Eve too. I like to read the poem 'Twas the night before Christmas too'.

x

DebtFreeDuo

A couple of years ago I bought 24 books and wrapped them up and we opened one each evening to read. Last year I realised that I really didn't like a couple of the stories so maybe I'll replace a couple of them and then I can do it again this year.

Baking sounds good, maybe we could bake something for those who we haven't bought for this year.

Willowtree222

That's a nice idea. Opening those books, and then each year you will have to guess which book it is first etc.

I plan on doing some baking with little one. x

DebtFreeDuo

So last night I dug out the Christmas books I have, I must have cleared out the ones I didn't like last year as I only have 10 books now and there were 24. I will have a sort through the books that he has on his book shelf to see if any made their way there or if I could get away with using any of those ones rather than having to buy any. I only need 17 books in total as the other 7 will be nights as his dads over the month. I have wrapped the ones I have and will see what else I can find.

I'm desperate for a hair cut and have been for a while but I'm going to try and hold out until next month so it doesn't come from my small amount that I have left for this month.

A little while back I booked a holiday for DS and I (during my more spendy phase), its a very special holiday for him and will be our first holiday abroad together. Its cost a little under £600 for the two of us and it covers all of our food, we already have our passports. I have to pay the balance of around £400 in January. I am going to put any money I get for Christmas towards it and any leftover money from December. I have made up a little pot where I will put any leftover money I have from anything between now and then. I know that its £400 that could be paid off the loan but the experience will be worth an extra couple of months.

DebtFreeDuo

Finally got around to sorting out my broadband, opted for the deal that Vodafone have on at the minute with £75 cashback through TCB. Next thing on my list is my life insurance, I won't get it any cheaper but the cashback I get will make it worth changing.

Spent £10 yesterday so £74.06 for the rest of the month, will get some treats for DS for tonight later as we do this every Friday, will aim to keep it at the £4.06 so that I am left with £10 per day for the rest of the month. Lamb shank for dinner from the freezer and no other supplies needed just yet. I don't anticipate needing to buy anything other than food, fuel should last until the end of the month, food shouldn't cost much at all so hopefully I'll make a good start on that holiday fund!

DebtFreeDuo

Making a plan for 2019, I realised the SOA I posted here was way off, not only did I forget to include smalls MMA but I also didn't include some of my income. So I'm not 67 short each month, I should actually have around £140 left each month. I have added an SOA to my spreadsheet so I am going to monitor my spends monthly and adjust it.

From January I am going to put aside the monthly figures that I put down for annual things, this will initially mean I will have a shortfall as things like my car and home insurance won't have the full 12 months to build up but it's better than not putting it to one side and I shouldn't face too much of a shortfall. It would be difficult for me to start from December as my main income comes in every 3/4 months.

I can do this, I can stick to a budget and I can live without debt.

Willowtree222

Yes you can, and yes you are. You are doing everything you need to do and getting through it perfectly. It is an amazing achievement, well done. x