My journey to a debt free life

warby68

We've always had a bills account which doesn't get otherwise spent from. It pretty much runs itself. Much easier to have the spends separate for tracking purposes. 

Just a reminder for a little extra money if not done already - Prolific studies - they have a waiting list now to manage their profile mix but people are being called up from it. Its a reliable source of treat money for me and I quite enjoy most of them. I'm just finishing what will be my record month at just shy of £300 and £100 a month has been a  good average over the last 2 or 3 years. 

You might do this already too but the Prescription Prepayment Certificate is good value once you have more than one prescription a month. I think its £10.80 a month for 10 months for a 12m cert. As i currently have 9 items, its more than paying for itself. You can get shorter ones, as I know you're heading for 60.

Onebrokelady

Day off today so spending it catching up on house jobs. I was going to to go into town for dog food and a small amount of food shopping but worked out the dog food will last until Monday, so I went to my local shop and combined it with a stroll along the river with B. She really enjoys it down on the river and hasn't been for ages so I thought I would try it and see how she got on,she did struggle a bit coming back up our massive hill and is now sound asleep so hopefully will be ok 🤞

Food wise I just needed a few bits for my packed lunches and some fruit so that came to £7.25 which is all I've spent on food this week. I will need bread but they didn't have the bread I buy at the shop so I will wait until I go into town, I think my current loaf will actually last until Monday but I do like to keep one in the freezer. I don't need to cook tonight because I'm off out for a meal with the girls from work ( my friends retirement meal ) this is coming out of my personal spends so will use quite a chunk but I don't go out very often so it will be a nice treat.

I am going to walk the restaurant tonight because it's only in town which is about a 30 minute walk for me ( so long as it's not chucking it down ) and I might walk home again depending on how much I eat and what the weather is doing 😂 

Im annoyed with the weather today because it's lovely sunshine one minute and raining the next so I can't hang my washing out 😡

Onebrokelady

foxgloves said:

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

Thanks Foxgloves, I wasn't sure about buying the binder at first because I know what I'm like buying shiny new stationary but I bought the best one for the least amount I could find and I'm now really pleased I got it.
 I am naturally very disorganised and usually have receipts and cash stuffed in my bedside drawers where I promptly forget what it's for, so this little folder is organising my finances really well. I also have a main A4 folder that is filled with a cheap A4 notepad from Mr Ws that I use for my overall budgeting every month this folder is one my eldest DD used to use for school so it's quite old but still going strong 😀

Sun_Addict

Your folder sounds like me - quite old but still going strong 🤣

Onebrokelady

milann said:

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

I'm loving it and it will definitely be used constantly,I have a Filofax that my DD gave me years ago that I use to organise work and life things and this is similar but for money. My Filofax is my bible,if it's not in there it doesn't happen 😀 

I'm hoping B will benok with the meds, getting her to take them is interesting though 🙄

Onebrokelady

Seasidegal58 said:

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. 

Thanks, I don't feel like I've managed very well even though nothing disastrous has happened 🤞 I got really overwhelmed last week but have just spent the last couple of days doing one day at a time and trying not to  catastrophise . I'm choosing to concentrate on the things I can control rather than the things I can't do anything about. I am enjoying my new hours a lot 😊  

Onebrokelady

Sun_Addict said:

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 🤞 

Thanks SA I think I had got a bit complacent so needed to shake things up a bit. I'm also trying to wrk on my day to day habits so there will be changes there too 😊

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

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.  

The bank my mum uses sent me a letter specifically asking for those documents, I have this problem all the time. A lot of places won't accept a birth certificate anymore especially if like mine it's not an original copy, when I had renew my DBS certificate I had to provide about 12 pieces of evidence that I was who I said I was, lived where I said I did and had the right to live in the uk. It's ridiculous and one of the reasons why I would love and I'd card scheme to be introduced 

Onebrokelady

enthusiasticsaver said:

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. 

It is quite common for places like banks to only accept driving licences or passports for ID,I have, loads of hassle every time I try to do anything that needs ID. I also need to show them a bill with my name and address on and they won't let me use a mobile phone bill either,it has to be something else 

Onebrokelady

warby68 said:

We've always had a bills account which doesn't get otherwise spent from. It pretty much runs itself. Much easier to have the spends separate for tracking purposes. 

Just a reminder for a little extra money if not done already - Prolific studies - they have a waiting list now to manage their profile mix but people are being called up from it. Its a reliable source of treat money for me and I quite enjoy most of them. I'm just finishing what will be my record month at just shy of £300 and £100 a month has been a  good average over the last 2 or 3 years. 

You might do this already too but the Prescription Prepayment Certificate is good value once you have more than one prescription a month. I think its £10.80 a month for 10 months for a 12m cert. As i currently have 9 items, its more than paying for itself. You can get shorter ones, as I know you're heading for 60.

Mine was always just all lumped in together and I would just move money into savings on payday but I was getting into a mess with it. It makes much more sense to split it up and I don't know why I didn't do it before 🤷‍♀️

I do have a pre payment certificate for my prescriptions and it's been a godsend over the last couple of years.

I will have a look at Prolific 😊