My journey to a debt free life

Onebrokelady

I did manage to get to sleep eventually last night after reading my current book which is aptly titled How To Kill Your Family 😀 but I was woken in the early hours by DDs cat screeching on the landing, he has been doing this for a while butvwe can't figure out why,I feel sorry for DD because he will have woken her up and she is working today

I didn't wake up until 11.30 due to being disturbed so now feel like I've wasted half the day  I have got a load of washing done but can't dry it outside because it keeps chucking it down 😟

I also forgot to say yesterday that I have to take B to the vet later because she is limping again and having trouble getting on the sofa and up and down the stairs, I'm hoping they will put her on some treatment for arthritis now, they have been putting it off because it shortens their lifespan but I'd rather she had less pain free time than be here longer but in pain all the time 

milann

Awww poor B. 

The title of the book made me chuckle.
Rome when you’re 60 sounds exciting…..something to look forward to 😁

Onebrokelady

milann said:

Awww poor B. 

The title of the book made me chuckle.
Rome when you’re 60 sounds exciting…..something to look forward to 😁

Poor B has Osteoarthritis so has been for some treatment to try for 10 days,if she gets on with it without any side effects she can stay on it long term. The newer meds are less likely to damage the liver so hopefully she will be ok 🤞 she is fine everywhere else apart from going deaf and her eyes are not as good as they used to be ......but like me really 😀

I am very excited at the thought of going to Rome but also feeling nervous already at the thought of flying there and it's a year away. I'm ok flying once I'm on the plane it's just thinking about it beforehand that gets me so I'm trying not to think about it 😀

The book has earned me some funny looks when I've been reading it on the bus and at work on my break, it's a bit twisted but funny and quite clever 😊

Onebrokelady

B has got meds now to sort her pain so will hopefully be raring to go in a few days when they kick in 🤞she is doing alright for an old lady 😍😍 the bill was £73 so not cripplingly expensive, I was expecting double that for some reason

I have sorted out my cash envelopes today so my budget is all set and sorted into categories. I did treat myself to a budget binder out of my birthday money. It contains plastic zip envelopes for your money and a few fancy labels to label them plus some budget tracker sheets,it's about the size of a medium filofax so not too bulky. I used to put my money in paper envelopes but found when you added change they ended up breaking so I thought the plastic ones would be better

The budget is now split into two so all the money for direct debits stays in the bank and I can leave that to do it's own thing . All money for savings has been moved into the savings account and the rest has been drawn out to use for food shop, pet food, personal spends ,gifts and miscellaneous
The gifts envelope is for birthdays and Christmas, Im actually saving this money in the bank but it will be drawn out and go in the envelope when I need to use it. The miscellaneous envelope is for any money left over from each weeks food shop if there is any 🤞🤞this will then be paid forward to the following month, my wages vary month by month depending on how many weekends I get to work so some months will be lower than others, I can plan for this and know how much I'm being paid each month in advance so I might adjust accordingly.The other plan was to budget for the lowest amount I get paid and then any extra could be allocated to different things as needed or put into savings. It's my first week so I'm not sure how it's going to pan out over the month but I will look at it again at the end of the month

I must say now I've organised everything I'm feeling very motivated to make it work and I'm already looking at my cold hard cash and trying to think of ways not to have to spend it 😀  

foxgloves

That sounds like a really useful new folder, @OBL. It's great that you're feeling so re-motivated. Getting organised often has that effect.
I used cash envelopes while we were debt-busting. I only changed to virtual pots when I increased the quantity of categories from 6 to 10. I do find that having pots, whether cash or virtual, concentrates the mind on what funds are actually available.
F x

milann

The budget binder sounds brilliant 👍
Hope the meds kick in soon for B 🐶

Seasidegal58

I've been off the boards lately and have just read through your diary to catch up. 

I am so sorry that you've had such a stressful time over the past few months - what with covid, your fibro and this new worry about your dad. ☹️  You really have managed so well though - I hope you enjoy your new reduced working hours, albeit the loss of income.  Your new budget regime appears to be helping however. 

Good idea about the binder to keep you on track - whatever method one uses to budget whether paper or virtual, it does really help and keep you on the right road. 

Sun_Addict

It’s all about whatever method works for you. I love that feeling of motivation when you’ve come up with a new plan. Good luck 🤞 

Cherryfudge

Onebrokelady said:

Cherryfudge said:

It must be so difficult, I do feel for you. At least you've been able to get the meds sorted out which is so important.

Could you use a work badge as ID? Or a prescription?

I hope you get some sleep.

I need a driving licence, passport or EU ID card and a bill with my name and address on excluding phone bills, I've got the bill I just haven't got anything else. I'm going to apply for a passport anyway because DD 2 wants to take me to Rome when I'm 60 😊 so I will need be next year 

You won't be the only one without a driving licence and passport. Why not see if they will accept birth or other certificate?

I love the idea of going to Rome, lucky you! DD tells me I would love it. Certainly worth getting your passport in good time.  

enthusiasticsaver

You will love Rome I am sure but I find it strange they will only accept DL or passport as lots of people wont have either especially as few people have travelled abroad in the last few years.  How frustrating you will have to pay out the ridiculous amount they charge for passports now as well. 

Your cash system sounds good to help you with budgeting.  I have recently moved to Starling and they have savings spaces for bills, car or house/holiday expenses etc etc so it does not all get mixed up with disposable income. It is working a treat with my husband who forgets what direct debits we have and when they come out of the account.