Tidying up the mess

[Deleted User]

You're so close!!  


^ this will be you soon (took me forever to get this to work!) 

Moneywhizz

Wow, only two more payments. Isn't it amazing when you think back to the beginning of your journey. You have been so disciplined and committed to paying it off and it's a great example to those just starting out of their debt paying journey. Was looking forward to hearing your debt free plans but I understand why you may not want to keep your diary going. The new format doesn't seem to have improved anything, in fact quite the opposite. Maybe you could pop in occasionally and give us an update. 

BabyStepper

BlackCoffeeNoSugar said:

You're so close!!  


^ this will be you soon (took me forever to get this to work!) 

Lol! Love it! Thanks blackcoffee. 

BabyStepper

Moneywhizz - yes it feels strange to be nearly at the end of the debt, baby step 2 almost complete. The plan then is to get the emergency fund built up as fast as we can, so I will probably put the extra next month into that. I'll also be building up my business account so I can be paid on time every month.
We're also going on holiday to celebrate but decided on one week instead of 2, a cheap and cheerful beach holiday. Too many other financial goals to be getting on with, can't really spend loads on a holiday yet. Also once the debt is paid off there are only 3 pay days until July, not really enough time to save for a big one. 
These plans can easily be destroyed if the car fails its MOT in a couple of months. Need to wait and see. Cars are the least predictable expense in the world, I don't enjoy that!
Oh, and some extra spends for us both, and £50 extra in the food budget. (This one feels way too generous to me, but if it makes me feel I'm living a champagne lifestyle then great.)
All of this will be reviewed every month, probably just by me because OH is bored to death hearing about it and I seem to have developed a brand new interest in finance and number crunching.
I'm looking ahead to this time next year with our finances. Once the debt is gone we will have nothing (except a small car fund, small emergency fund, some equity in the house and our wages). That's the reality, so we need to get busy building up some funds. The goal by next year is to have a fully funded £10k emergency fund, 2 months' wages in my business bank account and be working the new budget well. But like I said, it will depend on the car. 
And after that I want a new kitchen and new(er) car. 
And today, the dates are working for me on mse! And maybe I'm getting used to the new format a little bit? I can't imagine not having you guys to run things past, where would I be without you all? I'm just not great at keeping my diary up to date. Maybe I need a target, one post a week. I would miss you all if I didn't come back here. 
Hope everyone's having a good weekend.   
 

DancingInTheRain

Ooh so close now, how exciting and very well deserved after all your hard work and discipline!
I selfishly hope you keep your diary going, you've definitely inspired me to squeeze more out of my budget than I ever imagined to help pay down debt, I'd really miss your updates x

warby68

I hope you can keep your diary going a bit too.
I want to bask in your reflected glory a bit and see you in 'remaining' debt free stage after the 'becoming' debt free one and hear how you feel about having loads of cash that you choose what to do with :0
However rubbish the new forum format is, please at least find a way to let us know that the big day is here.

savingholmes

Hi - I would keep your diary going. I have repaid all our debt off before - walked away from MSE and restarted the debt journey. On-going accountability is important.

Rgib89

I have spent 3 days reading through your diary and amazed of how far you come.. well done, what an achievement. We all cant wait to see you across the finishing line xx

enthusiasticsaver

Almost there now babystepper. I find the dates show on posts on my iPad if I keep the orientation to landscape. The years also show in old threads but not the current year. I know there are a few teething issues with the new style forum though. I hope you keep posting even after you are debt free.

BabyStepper

Hi everyone 
This is a later update than planned but things have been a bit hectic around here. I need to go and have a proper catch up of how everyone else is getting on. savingholmes, you make a great point about staying accountable. Rgib89, you deserve a medal for wading through my entire diary, well done! Hope it was at least mildly entertaining! And thanks to everyone for continuing to cheer me on.  It means a lot.
Here's the numbers for April. Almost there.  
Barclaycard (1) £3,044.54 PAID OFF
Lloyds (1) £434.33 PAID OFF
Barclaycard (2) £517.12 PAID OFF
Hitachi loan £970.60 PAID OFF
Overdraft £2,000 PAID OFF
Santander £3,435.67 PAID OFF
Barclaycard (3) £1,250 PAID OFF
Lloyds (2) £907.57 PAID OFF
MBNA £5,325.99 PAID OFF
Halifax cc £3,342.25/£956 0% Oct 2020

Total May 2018 £21,228.07
Total April 2020 £956
£20,272.07 paid off 

Right on cue I have lost 2 important pieces of work. End of financial year happening and budget cuts all over the place for everyone. Both organisations were very apologetic but their hands are tied, if there's no money then they can't buy my service. I've been trying to get new work but no luck as yet. I have never been so thankful to be almost debt free, it takes the pressure right off, even if I do need to change our spending plans. 
Anyway, does anyone know how to change font colour?