Being called frugal is the best compliment

Dorisd

Have been lurking for a while, I had started to budget 2 years ago when trying to Dave a house deposit. That kind of fell by the wayside and life took over and we spent the savings and acquired more debt. Will post soa later but current debt is about £30,000 :eek:

This is made up of 2 CC, 2 loans and a catalogue. I have been paying more than the minimum on cards and started rounding down my current account and paying that off CC1sobfarvthis month debt has been reduced by only 1.7% not as much as I hoped.

Have decided to start different pots for things like entertainment etc and now have an EF of £800 so that's a start in the right direction I hope! Any advice gratefully excepted. DFD March 2022

beanielou

Coould you post your income & expenditure? A SOA.
Do you keep a spending diary?

Welcome to MSE

redofromstart

Welcome to MSE and good luck with your journey.

Dorisd

Well keeping a diary didn’t go too well, but I have been keeping up with debt busting and all things mse. Current debt is £16374 and some change! I will try to do better for next year and start some more challenges to keep us on the straight and narrow.

Dorisd

Still haven’t got used to posting regularly, and now with the pandemic situation there just never seems to be time. I have found a few ministers to check in on the forum and read updates on some diaries. My debt free journey isn’t quite on hold just yet, but I am conscious that the grocery budget has gone up😞. This coming week I’m hoping to shop from home. I’ve dug out toiletries (unopened) given to us over the years to save buying all but necessities. 

During this pandemic my emotions have swung wildly from absolute panic and anxiety not just health wise but for my job. I also work with my DH so it was in the line for both us, business dropped off a cliff overnight. Now the management have switched to a different model and we are still working and for the first time our industry is considers ‘key’. I did find the first 2 weeks hard to leave the house and was close to tears on my way to work. Things are a bit more settled now, I still have a job, all my loved ones in good physical health, not sure about MH right now but plenty to be thankful for.
Diary writing was my go to in my teenage years and I’m determined to keep it.
Action plan for next payday
* pay all necessary bills
*set aside money for sinking funds
*kitchen audit (food)
*meal plan lunch and dinners a week at a time
*prep some freezer/slow cookers dinners
Thankful for....
Good health
Emergency fund
Stocked kitchen cupboards 

mark55man

welcome back.  little and often works for some people - most on us on DFD know it can be pretty dull debt busting so we're not a demanding bunch!!

do try and share some achievements (however small) and frustrations/challenges.  the more you post the more you will get in return

thanks you for whatever you do that makes you a key worker - all in your debt at the moment

Dorisd

It’s 2021 and I’m back! What a year, just when thought I would get used to posting regularly I was knocked down by COVID-19 and it has taken some time to get back on track health wise and financially. I have been furloughed now part time as the industry I work in has not fared well and it’s a worrying time on the job front. I celebrated a milestone birthday last year and was given a journal/diary to help me get my thoughts in order. 

I have not forgotten about the debt and it’s under £12,000 now. Here’s hoping I’ll be debt free in 2021.

beanielou

Nearly under 11k 

Dorisd

Thanks being debt free feels so close now

beanielou

Is 1k month doable?

savingholmes

Sorry to hear you've been ill. Hope that 2021 is a much better year for you.