I want to believe I can do this!

raldo

Just caught up with all your debt busting you’ve been doing great. Wishing you all the best for 2019 xx

pidge04

Hello

1. It’s been a very challenging start to the year at work.

2. Rent is going up next month.

3. Got a 0% balance transfer until Jan next year. Have set up a direct debit for £100 a month. Going to go at it slow and steady. Won’t get it paid off for when the deal ends...presume I will then look for another 0% transfer.

4. Husband being very supportive - emotionally, financially etc. We’ve become close.

5. Have become absolutely obsessed with Marie Kondo and tidying up! Feel like this is changing my life!

6. Start my new monthly budget on the 25th. Feeling determined it will work. I could really do with another source of income. That would really help. Have a couple of babysitting jobs booked in.

7. I am hoping that my fervent adoption of the Marie Kondo method will result in a lot more stuff I can sell.

8. Feels good to be starting the year with the 1 credit card debt. It’s been a few years since that was the case.

9. Going to put my energies into menu planning.

10. Will post my new set of monthly outgoings.

Thanks for reading!

Kitten868

Hello Pidge,

Glad to hear from you. Sorry you've been away as works been hard but glad if it's because you've been kondo-ing in your spare time.

As your husband is being more supportive could you tackle addressing how you split the bills to reflect your income? You need more spare money as you do the lions share spending on your daughter and the home. Not because you're debt busting.

Hope this year is treating you well xxx

DrSpendLittle

Hi Pidge :hello:

Just read your diary from start to finish! You've done so well and you should be very proud of yourself. There have been ups and downs but they are part and parcel of every debt free journey.

I can't help but wonder whether it would be worth you having a big honest chat with your Husband about your finances. What would he say or think if he knew you were, dare I say, struggling so much? I'm sure he'd want to help more. The thing I've learned from my experience is that telling your significant other almost always makes a positive difference. It seems unfair how you split the costs and expenses of every day life. Perhaps he is so caught up in his own world, and doesn't think about money everyday like you do, that he simply just doesnt see it. He doesn't see the imbalance in expenditure. Men quite often need things pointing out to them in the cold light of day :rotfl: Anyway, just a thought...

I look forward to tracking your progress this year. Keep on keeping on. You've got this far. You can do it!

DSL

pidge04

I feel like it's been a while and I have had a fall off the wagon. Back here to sharpen up my act once again.

January was very hard. I have felt very low and I have not been able to lift my spirits. Work has been very hard. I am trapped - can't afford to move jobs and earn less. Can't afford to travel further to a different job.

I've had 2 counselling appointments so far. 5 more to go. Been in contact with The Samaritans once. I have felt very, very down.

Hopefully the counselling will help. And being outdoors as Spring comes. And 2 weeks off work at Easter.

Things are super tight on the financial front. Pay day on Monday and the figures are:

Outgoings
Rent and bills £550
Loan £227
Savings £200
Car £165
Credit card £100
Professional fees £20
Car insurance £20
Petrol £40
Misc £25
Childcare £28
Mobile £17
Hair £20
Overdraft repayment £80
Presents £15

Incomings
Salary £1575
Child benefit £82
Parents £20-25

I'm pleased that there are 18 loan repayments left. I can see a faint glimmer of light at the end of that particular tunnel!

Credit card … paying £100 a month off. 0% until January 2021. I stupidly paid for a 3 day caravan break with it £150 during January … planning to pay it back over 3 months. That isn't happening of course. Card has been cut up.

This afternoon I am applying for a casual weekend job I have seen. Extra income would help enornously.

I've got a travel claim to be paid at the end of March plus some overtime to be paid.

I've got some bits to try and sell this weekend.

I tend to get 1 babysitting job a month.

I must keep things in perspective - I'm in a much better position than I was in this time last year. And this time next year will be better still.

Hope you're all well!

pennywisepoundstupid

Sorry you have had a rough few months, well done for coming back and getting back on the horse so to speak.

I also find the winter months hard but spring feels as though its on its way so hopefully that will start making a difference. I'm guessing you also work in education which is tough at the moment.


Take care x

WelshKitty85

Sorry you've been feeling so low. Please remember to take some time for yourself between working so hard to boost your income. You're making great progress.

Buffythedebtslayer

Pidge04, sorry you have been feeling low. I haven't been so hot myself really. Impressed you spoke to the Samaritans and are on it for the counselling.

You are doing amazing on the debt front. Just hang on and as Welshkitty says take some time for yourself XXX

Robin09

Pidge, it's great to have you back posting. Although sorry to hear you've been feeling down. Hope the counselling sessions are helping. Take care of yourself.

pidge04

pennywisepoundstupid wrote: »

Sorry you have had a rough few months, well done for coming back and getting back on the horse so to speak.

I also find the winter months hard but spring feels as though its on its way so hopefully that will start making a difference. I'm guessing you also work in education which is tough at the moment.


Take care x

Thank you. I felt a bit brighter yesterday for the first time in a long while - hopefully on the mend. My goodness, you are right, education is so tough!!