Tips to save money to pay debt off quicker

monnagran

Hi both of you. Sorry, I've had no internet for the last couple of weeks. Long story.

I was supposed to have been moving last Thursday, but needless to say I didn't. The day of exchange dawned bright and happy, and 10 minutes before it happened my buyer's buyer pulled out. By this time most of my goods and chattels were safely sealed up in cardboard boxes.
However, a builder has stepped into the breach and is buying my buyer's house. You still with me?
Of course he is starting from scratch so it will be at least a couple of months before we can all move again.

In the meantime, well done on the amount you have paid off so far. I hope you aren't killing yourself with overwork and looking after your health. Just take care.

Hope you are coping Loolooly. I've been thinking about you a lot. These dark winter days are hard when you are cooped up indoors with a small child. It will pass my dear. The sunny days will come back again and everything will look brighter.

Loolooly

Hi there. Oh no Monnagran sorry to hear of this latest bump in the road!! Pleased to hear there is a resolution in sight now. ‘Frustrating’ doesn’t get near the feeling I’m sure! We’re doing ok thanks:) Testing moments naturally, at home and in work, but I’m generally feeling quite positive. We’re going to visit my mum (approx100 miles away) next weekend, now that’s planned it’s something to look forward to. I’ve also managed to facilitate a few changes which has meant slightly lower bills:D. Not much to some people but £30 to me is meaningful :beer: How are you feeling? Are you living partially boxed up?;)

monnagran

Oh well, Loolooly, as my old English mistress used to say, it'll all be the same in 100 years. My house looks as though someone has picked it up and shaken it. I've had to have unpack my beautifully organised boxes and stuff is piled up all over the place as I'm not about to mess up my lovely clean, polished and bleached cupboards and drawers again. Somehow I will muddle through.

I hope you enjoy your weekend, its so important to have something to look forward to. I bet your mother is looking forward to seeing you again. 100 miles is quite a long way to travel when you are on a tight budget, you must make the most of it.

I'm not sure if you have actual debts you are trying to pay off or if you are just looking to manage on a tiny budget.
I agree that £30 is a considerable amount. Well done you. There is nothing as reassuring as having a little money cushion behind you. I get quite excited when I manage to get a few pence sqirreled away in my rainy day fund. It's surprising how the odd pennies here and there add up quite quickly.
One way I do it is to empty my purse of everything under 20p into a tin. Those small denominations really add up and buy a few treats at Chritmas.

Keep at the saving and keep in touch. x

Loolooly

Thanks again for your words of support Monnagran. Seems I had tempted fate yesterday as my little monkey was just that! Lots of ‘boundary pushing’ etc. Very testing. He has decided to wake up at 5.15am today too! Very kind. I’m hoping he will nap this morning now so I can also have 40 winks.
Not ideal for you with the boxes etc but as you say needs must and hopefully will only be a short while. Sadly I have debts and a tight budget but I am managing which is the main thing. I have also managed to accumulate an emergency fund and gave a plan to pay down the debts. If I get there quicker - all the better. I like the saving small change idea. I recall my grandmother saving 20ps in a jar. I save £2 as I don’t get them too often but the do add up nonetheless. If I have quite a few I don’t put them all in though. This would be detrimental :eek:
Nice to see the days getting lighter. Hopefully Spring is on the way. Enjoy what’s left of the weekend xx:D

monnagran

Hi Loolooly. I also save £2 coins as there don't seem to be that many around, probably because they aare all in folk's saving jars.

As for debts, if you just chip away at them slowly it's quite encouraging at the end of the Year to see how much they have shrunk. I think it's a matter of always paying off just a bit more than the minimum payment. Or, paying the minimum on most of them but paying more on the one with the highest interest until it is completely gone, then doing the same to the one with the next highest interest and so on. Slow but sure.

Hope you get a bit of a nap. I used to find weekends difficult when on your own. Children's company can get (whisper it softly) quite boring.

Loolooly

Hi there. Just dropping in to say hi - how are you ? Thank you again for your advice Monnagran. We had a nice weekend down with my mum and were fortunate with the glorious weather. I think you are right re the £2 coins any house news? Keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t be too long a wait :cool:

monnagran

Hi Loolooly. Glad you have had a nice break with your mum, and yes, the weather has been glorious.

Keep going with the savings. The little bits soon become bigger bits if you keep at it. I have a saying that I remind myself of if I am tempted to spend something I don't really need.
"Never give up what you want most for what you want at the moment."

That has saved me many a time.

Lets not talk about houses. The latest is that the people who own the bungalow I have been going to buy since last September have just decided not to sell after all.

This means that I am going to have to rent something to move into when my buyers are ready to move. Really, you couldnt make it up!

Loolooly

Ah no way! :eek: what a turnaround sorry to hear of this change of plan. Hope something suitable turns up for rental at the required time and to then purchase thereafter. It’s all just more cost though not to mention stress! Try your best to stay positive- from our brief messaging, you seem a positive person Had a bit of a ‘down in the dumps’ week but trying to be positive by batch cooking and doing household chores while my little one is with his father. ::o. Hope you have a good weekend x

monnagran

Aw, thanks Loolooly. I have to admit that it knocked me sideways a bit. Never mind. As my old granny used to say, worse things happen at sea.

I hope that you managed to enjoy being on your own for a bit. There are compensations on being in the house with no one else to have to consider. A chance to be a bit selfish. I've always lived with lots of people around so it has been strange for me to be on my own. It can be a bit lonely sometimes, but it can also be freedom.

Keep plodding on my dear. You'll get there in the end.

Loolooly

Hi there. how has your week been? So so here. Not all that happy at work - could be worse - could have no work at all! Managed some batch cooking this week - helps the coffers and healthier than something and chips from the freezer! ( for me not the little one - he has food at nursery). Blowing a gale here so pleased to be indoors this afternoon. Any house news? Hope you’ve managed to get out and about a bit? xx