£29,303...Enough is enough!

WelshKitty85

brizzlegirl wrote: »

Same to you WK, and echoing what babystepper said, if you hadn’t taken a grip on this then things would be much worse and debts even bigger so well done.

All the best for 2019 x

Thank you

[Deleted User]

Happy new year and just remember how far you have come. Onwards and upwards

Igamogam

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

WelshKitty85

Thank you for all your kind comments.

I'm starting 2019 with the following debts:

M&S CC - £1114.10
Barclaycard - £ £9204.16
Hitachi - £9973.76
MBNA - £3668.42

Total £23,960.44. Plus the £1,700 owed to family makes a grand total of £25,660.44.

There is no disguising the fact that this is not where I wanted to be at this stage. But dwelling on what could have or should have been is not good for my mental wellbeing. So now is the time to refocus and commit to reducing this figure.

My number 1 priority is not to add anymore to these debts. To achieve this I have spent the morning listing planned expenses for the next year (inc birthdays, insurances, car tax etc) and have decided that the money in my savings account will not be used to make a debt repayment, but will start the following savings pots:

Car insurance : £207
DH birthday : £25
DC1 birthday : £8.33
DC2 birthday : £14
DC3 birthday : £5.50
Performing arts fees : £9.01

Ive cashed out £50 from YG surveys and when this arrives it will go into savings for car tax and home insurance.

I haven't started a Christmas savings pot for next year yet, but have a sealed tin in my kitchen cupboard (with about £20 in it) and plan to pay for as much as i can with vouchers earned from SB.

I also have a help to save account that I don't often mention as the money in there (currently £350) is for pure emergencies. I'm continuing to pay £50 per month to this account and as long as I don't need to touch it will earn a £1200 bonus in a few years time.

I've got £50 cash in my purse and will be using this to make a token repayment to family.

We need to keep spending to a minimum. I'll be doing some clever meal planning and batch cooking, making shopping lists and sticking to them, using up leftovers and taking lunches to work, using up toiletries before buying new etc. However, I do want to commit to doing more as a family this year and, whilst we will make the most of free events, if this includes a small spend every now and again then so be it. DH and I have also agreed to spend more time together as a couple. This might mean the occasional cinema trip or meal out, but we'll be making best use of special offers and discount codes to keep spends to a minimum.

Obviously the ultimate goal is to increase our income so that we can pay off our debts quicker whilst enjoying life at the same time. This is mainly down to DH and ensuring he keeps getting regular work. But I will do what I can selling unused items, surveys etc.

I know we've got a long journey ahead of us but I'm determined we're going to make it.

WelshKitty85

Igamogam wrote: »

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda x

Aaleigha

Just finished
Thanks for prompt reply to earlier pm

You are so focussed the children seem happy doing the things they do
You are such a good mum
And the planning and food prep you do are amazing
Hope this is ago old year for you xx

Starmummy

You've done so well being mindful in 2018, keeping the issues in sight and taking positive action.

Focus on progress not perfection. You are doing brilliantly.

Take care

SM

WannabeFree

I've just read from the start and can only echo the others. You should be proud of how far you've come since the start of your diary.

Happy new year and all the best for 2019

x

WelshKitty85

Thank you all for your encouragement.

I'm afraid my diary may be rather dull for the foreseeable future as I focus on the small things, but I feel I need to keep posting the smallest of achievements just to help keep me motivated and focused.

Last night I cooked a huge gammon joint that was reduced to £5 after Christmas. It did a lovely roast yesterday, a pie today, and I still have over half left. I'm planning to make a bbq sauce to turn some into "pulled pork" and the rest will go into the freezer until I decide what to do with it. I'm back to work tomorrow. I have made DC3s packed lunch ready, given DH & DC1&2 strict instuctions on what the can have for lunch (they are all off until next week) and just need to make my own lunch.

I've listed 2 more items for sale and found a free upcoming event that the children will love.

mark55man

The secret to debt busting is twofold

1. get used to dull - the colours are less vivid in MSE land than in spendsville, as you worry about the small repetitive things more
2. remember this isnt a detour so that you can back to spendsville when you are clear, this is your new spiritual home so the sooner you get with it the better

Now if only I could get with my programme