Fixing Today for a Brighter Tomorrow!

SavingAFuture

Last month I didn't have any credit card payments and I finished the month well out of my overdraft.
I almost don't believe it and I'm actually afraid to spend any money now that I have it! It's such a weird feeling. I never had any problem sticking hundreds of pounds on credit but now that I have actual cash, I don’t want to touch it.

I am ridiculously happy to be starting my married life debt free. I wanted to be in a positive financial position so that we can combine our finances and start focusing on joint goals, not just paying off my debts.

I will begin to slowly tackle the car. With hindsight I should absolutely not have signed myself up to another 4 year car lease in 2017. Mistake. I'm now 19 payments in with another 30 to go… but I will keep paying it each month and saving alongside to buy a car outright at the end.

I've recently discovered Dave Ramsey and whilst his approach is pretty extreme, I do find him to be extremely motivating. After the wedding we're going to work on saving up an emergency fund and then we'll begin saving for a house. We are already on the ladder which is a good start but would really like to move from our flat into a house before we start a family. There's lots to think about but it's good to have a plan.

If I want to buy something I often check "what would Dave Ramsey think" and if I reckon he'd shout at me, I put the item back and step away!!

SavingAFuture

I've been quiet for a few months because I've had something of a slip up and feel embarrassed. Here we go again...

I spent the past 2 years debt busting and then one short wedding later and the debt has instantly crept back up.

I think I got into that "you're only going to do this once" mentality and overspent on things. Especially as we got closer to the day and there was still a lot to do. It was easier (and less stressful) to pay out rather than try to do it all ourselves.

Of course, the irony is that I am feeling the stress now instead!:mad:

We've now had the wedding AND the honeymoon and, this has left us with £1144.58 to pay off the credit card. Ouch. However, we did have the most amazing day and a wonderful trip to Italy (I wouldn't change it for the world). Our guests had given us such kind donations towards a honeymoon it would have felt disingenuous if we didn't actually use it to go away (although I know we should have just put that money towards the debt and been done with it).

However, there have been some small victories in this time - I managed to cashflow my car tax and insurance and have started to put away some money for Christmas. I'd also saved £900 as spending money for the trip so wasn't adding any more to the debt while we were away.

I have a very aggressive plan to pay it all back by the end of the year.
Coming back strong!

SavingAFuture

Hurrah - a nice, juicy £380 paid towards the credit card bringing the balance down to £1040.28.
I've got some work expenses due back to me this month as well which will get me back into three figures. Progress!

I've been working extremely hard lately which is great as I've not had any time for spending! If I don't go in the shops, I can't spend the money can I? I've been doing a lot of "online-window-shopping" aka filling my basket with all the things I like, having a good laugh at the total and then getting back to my life haha.

I will have to start the dreaded Christmas shopping soon however…
So far I have managed to squirrel away £400. Thinking I'll add perhaps another £100 to that from my next pay and then that should cover me for all my Christmas related spends. Have told the family that I really can't go crazy on gifts this year and everyone has agreed we could do with a frugal festive season. Result.

Seeing as I have the money stashed already, I am going to start looking out for bargains now so that I don't end up panic buying (and over-spending) come December.

Hope you all have a lovely week!

SavingAFuture

Have just had a look at the maths above and something doesn't quite add up... I think it's because I've been putting work expenses on the credit card (as I am struggling to cashflow them - my travel has ramped up massively in the past month or so) and then paying it back when the company approves them. I will keep an eye on this and make sure I get my figures right going forward...

SavingAFuture

So today I left my gloves on the train (grrrr).
New gloves are definitely *not* in the budget and I don't think I can constitute my carelessness as an emergency.
I'll put them in the budget for next month and hope the weather isn't too chilly before then. I'll also check if my OH has a spare pair... of course they'll be massive but hopefully that'll make them extra cosy.
Silver linings I suppose...

enthusiasticsaver

Sorry to see you are back in debt but weddings usually end up costing more than people think and £1144 is not too bad. Do you still have an overdraft?

Shame about the gloves and hope you can source a new pair relatively cheaply. It is getting colder.

SavingAFuture

Hey Enthusiastic Saver, nice to have you pop by
I am pleased to say that the Overdraft is cleared so it's just the one credit card and not a huge balance. It just feels like such a set back

In good news I've managed to locate an old pair of (well-loved!) gloves that will tide me over until I can afford a new pair. I also thought it might be a good thing to ask for if anyone wants to know what I'd like for Christmas...

Had a clever little MSE moment yesterday. I thought I needed to buy a new facepowder (it was all just around the edges and hard to pick up with my puff) but instead I attacked it with a hair grip and "voila" loose powder. I think that'll keep me going until next pay day. There was actually loads left! :beer:

SavingAFuture

MSE morning: I was running late for work today but instead of buying breakfast when I arrived, I made up a pot of "instant porridge" from home. Cheap, filling and delicious - and a good way to use up the massive tub of dried milk we have from camping this summer.

I just put oats and milk powder into a container then add boiling water, stir and leave to absorb. Perfection. Today I included some brown sugar and cinnamon for extra autumnal warmth. Mmmm.

Heading into my weekend and absolutely thrilled to have a lie in tomorrow. I plan to drink tea, read books and stay indoors where it's cosy for as long as possible. My Dad is coming to stay with us so I'm planning to whip up something filling in the slow cooker - on a recipe hunt this morning before I hit the supermarket later.

Hope you're all having a lovely Friday x

SavingAFuture

Today I was running so behind that I ran out of time to make lunch. I thought this would mean I’d have to buy something but luckily for me there were leftover sandwiches from some meeting or other at work! The fancy kind. Just enough to keep me going til dinner. What luck!
When you’re debt busting, there’s no room for pride

SavingAFuture

So today was a slip up. I was freezing on a train platform and "treated myself" to a gingerbread latte and some cake. £6.15!! It's outrageous. I'd been doing so well at filling my flask and packing snacks but today I seemed to be lacking in motivation. I'm not sure what's come over me but I need to nip it in the bud sharpish!