This Duo's debt free journey

DebtFreeDuo

Well I think its great Nicnak, I'm not very good with poems so thank you, you have been a great help!

Just had a look at cashing out on PA, can any give me any advice on Circle? Obviously I would much rather avoid the fees incurred through PP but I have never heard of this other one? Does anyone have any experience of using them to receive their earnings?

EssexHebridean

I know CheeryDaff has used Circle with no problems if that helps! I think Hidden might do as well? I admit I've stuck with PayPal but I tend to cash out at £10 anyway - I always make sure it's just high enough that I still clear the £10 mark once the fees are taken.

117pauline

I have used Circle with no problems at all. Surveys take long enough without losing a percentage to PayPal as well.

Niknac's poem is wonderful.

I just think it is such a shame that there is such advertising pressure to buy at Christmas. There seems so much pressure on us to have the PERFECT Christmas with the PERFECT gifts, dressed in PERFECT clothes, eating PERFECT food. I blame the coke ads!!!!

For me, the best memories are when things haven't gone to plan. The year when my three year old got up on Christmas morning at 2am, opened every single present under the tree. He unwrapped each parcel then placed it very tidily on the living room floor with all the wrapping neatly tucked underneath. It took hours to rewrap everything - we were staying with family so couldn't just leave it

Good luck with your present search. I hope you manage to find just what you are looking for. Perhaps early next year you can do as Martin suggests and come to a family decision about reducing the number of presents.

Take care
Pauline

DebtFreeDuo

Thats exactly how I feel Pauline, don't want to lose a percentage when it takes so long to build it up.

Doing good on the NSDs this month so far, think I will easily hit my goal of 15 NSDs. Trying to up the extra income although I'm struggling with the balance at the moment with mummy duties and studying, I know I will find the balance in another week or so.

Enjoying a nice bottle of wine tonight that I have had in the fridge for a couple of weeks whilst the small is away, I need it this evening.

DebtFreeDuo

Well I finished off the whole bottle last night which led to more spends than normal today, spent just under £10 which did include £3.50 on car parking so not too bad, the rest went on food and drinks to try and make myself feel a little more human. Bought a present with some of my amazon vouchers - a sweet shop for £7.98 which includes some sweets, not sure who this is going to yet but I thought this would be something that most children would love.

DebtFreeDuo

Another Christmas present sorted for £7.98, very impressed with myself for getting these presents sorted under my budget of £10 and all from amazon so using up the vouchers I have. Also ordered one of the craft sets that Nicnak kindly showed me.

Willowtree222

DebtFreeDuo wrote: »

Another Christmas present sorted for £7.98, very impressed with myself for getting these presents sorted under my budget of £10 and all from amazon so using up the vouchers I have. Also ordered one of the craft sets that Nicnak kindly showed me.

I always get a strange happy feeling when I am under budget and also using vouchers and not why own money!

DebtFreeDuo

Nicnak wrote: »

I always get a strange happy feeling when I am under budget and also using vouchers and not why own money!

I am really enjoying trying to find bargain presents that are keeping me well below budget but also that don't look too cheap, I think I'm becoming a little addicted!

I forgot about a high street voucher that I won in a raffle from school so this is an extra £10 to go towards Christmas, I'm going to use this for smalls main present which I have decided on which is coming in at £35, £25 of this will have to come from my money rather than vouchers but I'm hoping the rest of Christmas will come from my remaining amazon vouchers. Not buying the small anything else unless I have something remaining voucher wise which I highly doubt. He won't be without as he gets plenty from others and he has only asked for 2 things which are already covered.

DebtFreeDuo

Put in a request for early settlement quotes for both my loans which I have been going over this morning, it would appear that I pay the balance plus 2 months of interest plus another couple of quid. By paying off my car loan in January I will save myself approximately £65 but if I pay off my other loan early I will only save myself around £10. I'm not sure if its really worth paying it off early or just leaving the direct debit to come out each month with the last payment coming out on 1st Dec 18. I have over 6 months to think on this but any input would be appreciated.

Had payments come out for car loan and CC today so debts now stand at:

Loan = 2065.32
Car Loan = 2292.94
CC = 1036.90

Total = 5395.16

Can't wait to get this total under the 5k mark although this won't happen until 1st Dec but then I will almost halve it in January which is a very exciting thought!

Willowtree222

DebtFreeDuo wrote: »

I am really enjoying trying to find bargain presents that are keeping me well below budget but also that don't look too cheap, I think I'm becoming a little addicted!

I forgot about a high street voucher that I won in a raffle from school so this is an extra £10 to go towards Christmas, I'm going to use this for smalls main present which I have decided on which is coming in at £35, £25 of this will have to come from my money rather than vouchers but I'm hoping the rest of Christmas will come from my remaining amazon vouchers. Not buying the small anything else unless I have something remaining voucher wise which I highly doubt. He won't be without as he gets plenty from others and he has only asked for 2 things which are already covered.

It does get addictive, doesn't it!

I'm no good understanding when you'd be better off or how best to do it. Obviously £65 is better for you, but if you need the money in the long run then keeping it is paying it off automatically.

I guess you'll need to review whether paying it off will be financially the best thing month by month.