Twinklie returns - debt free by 2020?

twinklie

So we managed to get rid of LOADS last week to a family member. So most of our baby furniture (space taking) type stuff has gone now. Just the giant boxes of clothes to work our way through now. And toys...


Its a cheap(ish) weekend. Our favourite SEND group was this morning, so had a catch up with some grown ups whilst the boys played in a totally safe and supervised environment. They love it there.


Tomorrow I'm taking them a bit further away to a play place that's running a SEND session in the morning. It's got different zones. One where you can paint anything in the room. A room with a sand floor with diggers, trucks and buckets etc, dressing up room...and goodness knows what else. I'm looking forward to letting them blow off some steam. It's been a tough few months for us all...December is a hard month for a lot of autistic kids and the subsequent January come down hasn't been much easier but we are coming out the other side now.


I'm hoping February will be a financially quite month. Just plodding on paying what we need to and continuing with the decluttering. My loan payment and maternity repayment will be paid this week. So my debt total will decrease some more which is exciting.


Weekly shop was about 60 again, so that's not too bad. Managed to go on a solo trip too so it was quite enjoyable.

twinklie

As of February my current outstanding debt is as follows:
Repayment of maternity leave - was 503.26 / now 440.32
Credit Card - was 598.74 / now 521
Tax Credits OP - was 480 / now 440
Loan - was 1,627 / now 1,501
Current total debt January 2019 = 3,209 / February 2019 = 2,902.32


Getting under 3K is a massive psychological breakthrough. I'd love to just chuck all my money at it and get rid, but the way the world is right now I feel better trying to build up some savings to be honest and just paying down debts at a steady rate.


I've planned my payments to finish as follows:
Repayment of mat leave - Aug 2019
Credit Card - November 2019
Tax Credits - December 2019
Loan - January 2020.


However, if I can manage more nearer the time I will. I still need to work out my basic monthly outgoings though - moving house meant I no longer 100% know what my outgoings are and it's taking a lot longer to get things straight than I anticipated.

twinklie

Repayment of maternity leave - was 503.26 / now 440.32
Credit Card - was 598.74 / now 521
Tax Credits OP - was 480 / now 400
Loan - was 1,627 / now 1,501
Current total debt January 2019 = 3,209 / February 2019 = 2,862.32


Feel like the numbers are steadily reducing. I've had a few unexpected expenses this month already, but nothing major. Might need new tires for the car though which is a bit rubbish.


Still, only need to commute twice this week. I'm working from my home town the other two days which will save a few bob. And I only have to get through this week and then I'm on leave for a week - yay for half term.

twinklie

So it's half term here and I'm on leave for the week. So it's all about surviving as cheaply as possible.


Half term plans

Saturday - play at home - NSD
Sunday - Birthday party and play in the garden - Presents from present cupboard - NSD
Monday - Playdate with friends on a nature walk, cafe stop and out for tea - £20 (plus petrol).
Tuesday - Play at home and food shop (may eat out for lunch). £11.25 Cafe tea I won’t tell you what I spent on my shopping...but it was a store cupboard replenished and I got a few clothing bits for the kids...it was a biggy.
Wednesday - Soft play place. £17.50
Thursday - Play doh play session and activities. £2
Friday - Coffee morning play at playgroup and cinema to watch How to Train Your Dragon. Booked cinema £36.96
Saturday - Boys at hairdressers and get feet measured (may need new shoes). £14
Sunday - SEND play session at an imaginary play centre.

Total half term spends so far = £85.71

Following that we are back at work. I will update and BOLD above when I have confirmed spends. Hopefully it will motivate me to be accountable for my spending and keep spends down.

twinklie

My eldest is a bit under the weather so he might save me from myself and help me keep the half term spends to £100...or there about abouts.

I know I have £14 to spend on Saturday and I think it’s £8 on Sunday.

twinklie

Brought the boys to a church playgroup. £2 donation and free brew and cakes. Also free WiFi - result!

twinklie

Decided to blow off going to the play place tomorrow. The eldest anxiety about returning to school is off the scale, so time to stay in safe surroundings.

Therefore I’ve stayed within my £100 budget and have £14 to spare. So I will put that into savings I think.

enthusiasticsaver

The debt is coming down nicely and good you have managed to stay in budget over half term.

aimeemum

Well done staying in budget for half term - that's no mean feat! Subscribed to your diary. I'm also trying to be debt free by 2020 - a bit further to go and trying to take it steady. Good luck x

twinklie

As of March my current outstanding debt is as follows:
Repayment of maternity leave - was 503.26 / now 377.38
Credit Card - was 598.74 / now 498.74
Tax Credits OP - was 480 / now 400
Loan - was 1,627 / now 1,375
Current total debt January 2019 = 3,209 / February 2019 = 2,651.12


82.6% of original debt remains.


Not too bad. Kids have a few parties and events etc. coming up but all is in hand and presents bought. It's my dads birthday this month though so might have to do something a bit special for him. He's having a knee replacement next month so is going to be out of action for a bit.