Never too old to learn

Chrystal

jools1985 wrote: »

I've now done my review with SC. My direct debit will increase by £5 per month. I can live with that. May still go SM though - I'm dithering about that.


Only 11 months until my mortgage is fully repaid. I owe £8230 and the next payment is due on 2/9/19. It's a big payment of £768 per month. I borrowed £75000 over 10 years. Really feel like that is coming to an end now that I'm inside the last 12 months. Current debt free date is October 2024 but I'll throw more money at the debt once the mortgage is paid off.


It all feels a bit slow at the minute. I berate myself every day for getting into this mess

Instead of berating yourself daily you need to acknowledge how well you've coped with the situation.
Yes you made mistakes - don't we all? BUT you've taken the bull by the horns and worked out how to put things right. That deserves a well earned pat on the back. Plus it's changed your mindset and I bet you'll keep an eye on where the money is being spent in the future, so it's a life lesson that will stand you in good stead.
Only 11 months till your mortgage is paid off - that's brilliant. (((hugs)))

jools1985

Thank you Chrystal. I'm just on a bit of a downer today. I'll bounce back as I always do

jools1985

It's been too long since I updated this diary.



Life has been a bit difficult. My lovely mum died at the end of October having been in hospital for 3 weeks. Her younger sister - my aunt died 6 days before my mum did and we had 2 funerals within 2 days. i miss them both. I feel though that the only positive things are the family has drawn closer together because of this. I've seen far more of my sister and my cousin - my aunt's daughter than I usually would and that has really helped all of us.


On the debt front - Tesco bank defaulted me last week, a year after entereng my DMP. I'm still trying to get M&S to do the same. My credit reports all say more than 6 months in arrears with them. Maybe I should stop paying them to force a default. Difficult though as I pay them via my DMP with Stepchange.


I now owe an eye watering £45448 on my DMP. I was almost £56000 when I stared though - 13 payments ago. I also only have 6 more mortgage payments to make. I currently owe £4410 on my mortgage. Can't wait for it to be paid off - that will be this year on the 2nd of July - woo hoo!


It's over 2 years since my last ridiculous gambling session. I shudder to think what mess I'd be in if I hadn't come to my senses there - it really hasn't been easy but I'm living without gambling and it feels good.

jools1985

Life has continued to be difficult on a personal level. My partner had a "small" heart attack 3 weeks ago. He's doing OK after having a couple of stents fitted. It was a huge shock and a massive reality check for both of us. We are both counting our blessings that he's OK and have adapted out diets as recommended.


We don't live together but he is staying with me while he recuperates. He only gets Statutory Sick Pay when he's off work sick (first time in over 20 years he's been off). He's applied for Universal Credit to help while he's off as he has still has his rent, council tax and other priority bills to pay. The CAB seem to thing he will get some sort of help and we are both hoping this is the case. I do have my rather sall emergency fund to help out if necessary.


On the debt front all good - My DMP balance stands at £44656.96. I've paid off £11043 since starting it 14 payments ago, My mortgage is £3670 and will be gone in 5 more payments. I pay £749 per month and just can't wait for it to be fully repaid.

GlendaSugarbean

You have had a tough few months . Well done on sticking with the repayments - once that mortgage is paid off you'll be debt free in no time.

jools1985

It's been 13 months since I updated my diary - naughty me.

All is good on the debt front. The mortgage was paid off last July. that was such a great feeling. I didn't tell Stepchange about this. I used the money I had been paying to save up an emergency fund and also to replace my bed which was way past it best at 13 years old. So now I sleep better because i have less debt and a comfy bed to sleep in.

One of my debts is to RBS credit cards. It's my largest debt at over £6000. I did a CCA request over a year ago. They wrote back to me saying they couldn't find the paperwork but would keep looking. I've perhaps foolishly continued to pay them via Stepchange. however I've written to Wecot who now have the debt, saying I'm concentrating on my priority debts and wont be paying them any more. I'm a bit nervous about this but will see what happens next.

Next thing was my Stepchange review which I did today. I've removed the RBS debt. This has brought my debt down to £27,025. I've paid off £21419 since starting my DMP. Due to no longer having a mortgage my new payment to Stepchange has increased from £800 per month to £1318 per month - eek. I do hope Ive done the right thing here. I constantly toy with the idea on going self managed for more control overall. It's done now though.

jools1985

I'm buzzing today. Had my very first full and final accepted. Lowell have accepted £600 against a debt of £1226. I'm so happy I could cry.

I'm going to leave Stepchange and self manage. Maybe that way I can maybe negotiate more F&F's.

So happy today.