Single Mum Losing the Debt!

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Hello!
I have done a diary on here before but couldn't find it
so thought I would start 2019 (almost) with a fresh one!
So a little bit about me....
I am 25 years old and live with my son in a rented house, I become a single mum 2 years ago when my son was 3 weeks old. He still sees his dad a few times a week and does have overnight visits too. I want my son to have a good relationship with both his parents and his dad helps me out if I need it.
Over the last year I have managed to wrack up £3027.61 in debt (it was more like £4/£5K but I have paid some of it back).
Last week I decided to do a spreadsheet using my bank accounts of everything I have spent on bills, shopping etc. (this wasn't 100% accurate because I had no receipts for cash transactions but gave me a rough idea of what I have been spending). I took one look and was so ashamed of myself!
I started decluttering the house a few months ago but have since decided that I am going to tidy and clear out one draw/cupboard/shelf a day and post at least one thing on FB marketplace a week or give to CS so I can get rid of some of the clutter in my house.
Any money that I get extra will be put in a money box for my CC debt and once a month or once every few months empty it out and take it to the bank
the quicker I can pay off the CC the better.
C xx
I have done a diary on here before but couldn't find it

So a little bit about me....
I am 25 years old and live with my son in a rented house, I become a single mum 2 years ago when my son was 3 weeks old. He still sees his dad a few times a week and does have overnight visits too. I want my son to have a good relationship with both his parents and his dad helps me out if I need it.
Over the last year I have managed to wrack up £3027.61 in debt (it was more like £4/£5K but I have paid some of it back).
Last week I decided to do a spreadsheet using my bank accounts of everything I have spent on bills, shopping etc. (this wasn't 100% accurate because I had no receipts for cash transactions but gave me a rough idea of what I have been spending). I took one look and was so ashamed of myself!
I started decluttering the house a few months ago but have since decided that I am going to tidy and clear out one draw/cupboard/shelf a day and post at least one thing on FB marketplace a week or give to CS so I can get rid of some of the clutter in my house.
Any money that I get extra will be put in a money box for my CC debt and once a month or once every few months empty it out and take it to the bank

C xx
Read my diaryHere 

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NYE today (although really doesn't feel like it) I am at work until 4.00 then off until Friday so that gives me a few days to do some bits around the house.
Have set budgets for weekly and monthly spending and have got a dairy that I will keep track of everything in. As today is Monday the diary starts today.
I didn't bring any lunch with me to work so I will be buying some lunch and my mum needs me to pick up a few bits for her.
I have done a meal plan to last until Thursday (when I do food shopping) so I can stop from buying extras.
Mum is cooking a curry tonight for dinner
I have also decided that I am going to start growing some of my own fruit and veg this year. I think it'll be good for me ans my son, to give us something to do and be good for him to see where his food comes from.
I am determined to be debt free by this time next year and starting a savings pot rather than clearing off debt!
Happy new year everyone!!
C xx
Happy shiny new diary.You can do this
**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~**
MFW. Finally mortgage free February 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.
It starts with you, it starts from now. *** It is ok to be me.***
***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
Thank you! Never thought of it like that!
xx
So didn't start the new year off to a great start was at the hospital with my son as he has got an ear infection (on going for over a month!) and now tonsillitis! Seems to have been a lot of back and forth the last month or so, this is antibiotics number 5 so I am hoping that these will work for him as the only other option is a drip
Have made a spreadsheet every time I buy something. I have only got a few bits so far, lunch at work and a few presents for birthdays and xmas this year. All got in the sale and have already been allocated to people and written on my gift list.
C xx
Hope DS is feeling better soon
x
So it's been a couple of weeks. I have spent more on my CC
Once a month when I get paid (28th) I will go into the bank and get out the money I need for my budgets for the month ahead and will put them in each coin bag.
My budgets are set per month to:
£217 - pay off CC
£175 - Food Shopping
£130 - Fuel/Car
£20 - Presents/Birthday
£10 - Hair cuts
£10 - Days out
£10 - Takeaway
£20 - SW
£10 - Clothes
My other bills are all DD and standing orders that come out of my account. I have also decided when my car insurance is due for renewal to pay that on my 0% CC but still pay a set monthly amount back into the CC so basically I will be overpaying as you pay extra to have a DD with insurance. I might do the same for my home insurance as well but not sure if it will be worth while as that is only about £100 a year but still worth looking at!
Once I get to target at SW (aiming for end of August this year) I will be saving £20 a month which I will then use to pay off CC.
I am paying £23 a month for my sofa, that finishes in July so once I have paid that off that will go to the CC as well. So by Xmas this year I should be debt free
So watch this space....
C xx
**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~**
MFW. Finally mortgage free February 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.
It starts with you, it starts from now. *** It is ok to be me.***
***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
Thank you
June 2020 - Debt £190.96
Saving Pots: House Fund: £2015.21 Holiday Pot: £327.31 Rainy Day Fund: £964.84 Sod it/Treat Fund: £12.06
Stocks and Shares ISA: £189.65