Debt Goals

takingcontrolatlast

This afternoon I looked at my debts as my next goal is the £1,000 I owe to a family member. I know there is no quick fix to get out of my debt and it is a matter of hard work and plodding on.

Previously I used to get overwhelmed, sulk and go into denial...it's so easy for me to do that even to this day. So today's battle is to stay focused. I have been reading diaries and listening to You T*bers on their journeys which has helped. I've basically spent all afternoon on my pc !

I have managed to do some jobs as well though !

I think I want to acknowledge again that I have done this to myself and I'm not looking for sympathy here - just recognising the stupidity of myself with past and sometimes current spending. Over the years I have reduced some of the debt only to find myself increasing it again with loans, credit cards and a new car purchase... it's like I'm mindless to what I'm doing... on some sort of financial self destruct!

I just can't put the total figure of my debt on my diary as I'm so ashamed. I will do at some point and it will be obvious anyway as I pay off them as to how much the debt is.

Anyway, enough ..... I can't keep this financial destructive pattern going if I want to retire debt free can I !

Today's a NSD and I have a little jar with loose change started which I will count at the end of August (every penny helps)!

I don't think I have anything to sell and I hate Eb*y anyway. But still never say never!

I will need to see if there is overtime at work and if there is.. I'll take it !

So I'll continue improving frugal habits and looking out for my trigger point of spending (which incidentally is when I'm low - I'll spend or eat or both)!! I need to be more mentally strong and focused and there's only myself who can do this. I need to remember NEEDs v WANTs.... my new mantra


x

takingcontrolatlast

Was hoping for a NSD but DD put a request in for more Weet*bix and syrup.

I was "doing the rounds" of dropping off bday cards to family and popped into Ald* - spent £4.73 as I also bought a loaf. DD2 wasnt happy with the Weetab*x alternatives - so hope they taste nice... wholewheat oats are the same anywhere right?

I was also given a £20 gift card voucher for Ne*t that DD2 didn't want as she doesn't shop there... i may use this for a present for my friend or for for work pants desperately needed .. alternatively I could pay it off my debt and use the cash I was going to pay on the debt towards my goal of hitting £1000........ not sure yet.

Back to work tomorrow - need to get sorted ie iron my clothes and prepare my lunch.

x

takingcontrolatlast

Its been a tough week in more ways than one!

Work has been extremely busy; I've too tired to keep on top of housework which means today I'll be hinching the home, catching up with washing and cooking Sunday lunch. To be fair, I love being domestic when I'm in the mood.... so rewarding when its all done.

Yesterday was the engagment party and I used the N*xt voucher to buy a present and took a bottle of champagne that I already had in the house (I dont drink champagne so it was a good way to use it in a family celebration).

I'm so ready for pay day and counting down the days till I'm paid. I hate having "no money".

Funds are running low and I need NSDs for the rest of the week.

I have saved £10 on shopping this week which will go towards debt.

Since I joined the site which I think was in 2015 (will need to check) my finances have been up and down. It's so easy to for me as I have explained to get overwhelmed and give up. I have been feeling like that a little this week (overwhelmed) and its because funds are running out and I hate that feeling of having no money. I need to allocate "pocket money" to myself if I can in moving forward so that i dont feel so "broke"... I think mentally having at least £10 in my purse will take away the despair

It's so difficult though to keep money in the purse when I'm invited to events. Next month there is a friend back from Germany and she wants to meet up for a catch up and drinks as well as another friends birthday meal and drinks. I dont really drink so I'll be driving on one of the nights but its still the expense.

I have managed since starting the debt free journey to pay off debts and I should try and log this down to see my progress rather than the negatives. I'll update my signature as I go through checking... hopefully it will keep spurring me on

xx

Sunshine_girl2

Do you allocate yourself some personal spends each month. I have £100 , I use this for outings with friends ,etc. Works for me , once it's gone it's gone.

takingcontrolatlast

Sunshine_girl2 wrote: »

Do you allocate yourself some personal spends each month. I have £100 , I use this for outings with friends ,etc. Works for me , once it's gone it's gone.

Hi Sunshine,

Thanks for the post

No not really - I haven't been the best at budgeting in the past and have "overstretched" myself

Personal spends are something that I need to factor in in going forward as I try and reduce my expenses. If I can aim for at least £10 left in the purse each week at this stage - I'll be making progress x

takingcontrolatlast

I've updated my signature to help keep track of what I deem progress in getting rid of debt.

I still need to be mindful of not increasing the debts which I have been guilty of in the past for example I have also paid off my car loan but refinanced so haven't included it in the signature.

I've not been as good as I had hoped with regards to NSDs - the odd pound here and there has been spent along with an unexpected work collection - minimum £5. I dont mind as I like the person but 1 days notice just before pay day.... that's what I get for not budgeting properly !

I am managing however to get some overtime in but I wont feel the benefit until end of June but i am grateful for it.

I'm looking forward to the weekend - no plans as yet - apart from clean oven :eek:

x

takingcontrolatlast

Thank goodness it is the weekend! I had a horrible day in work yesterday - the type where nothing goes right!

I came home and the house was all tidy thanks to DD1 (method in her madness as the boyf was coming to stay for the weekend but hey .. I benefited as I dont have to spend as much time cleaning this weekend)

I was still feeling quite stressed last night so I tried to distract my thoughts/mood by baking. I thought I'll use up the bananas that are going very ripe in a banana loaf. I got to the stage of pouring into the tin and thought.. this just doesn't look right! I'd only but 2 TBS of baking powder in rather than 2 tsp!!! In the bin it went ... Morale of the story is ... I should have stayed in bed yesterday :rotfl:

Today is a new day and the sun is shining.... mood happy

I'm totally broke till Tuesday - but that's ok. There is food in so all good. I have no plans to go anywhere which is just fine by me.

I will clean the oven as I've promised myself I'll do that, read, knit, not sure of baking and maybe some decluttering...basically just doing whatever I want too this weekend.

Payday will mean my last payment of another loan will be paid and I can't wait to update my signature :j

This last week I have done overtime every day (apart from yesterday as i couldnt wait to go home). I didn't get in as many NSDs but I will this weekend as I have no money to spend :rotfl:

I also have a vet appointment on Tuesday which I'm dreading. Not only is it so stressful for the cat (and me) she vomits after about 10 seconds into the journey... but its a double appointment so it will be around £120 mark.... now I did tell DH last month that in future these payments are going out of the joint account... and I aim to stick to the plan.

I've not made much progress with the raising any funds towards the £1000 and I'm thinking of ways how to do this still. So far I'm doing overtime, putting loose change away, saving on food shopping and putting that money towards it.

All the birthdays for May have taken place - this was just too stressful not to plan for in future!

I always admire people who are organised. I used to frown at friends who "have presents in" for birthdays and xmas - months and months ahead - who shopped when items were on offer. It is actually a very good idea and I may start trying to do that. I will only buy anything though if it is suitable for the person intended. Something I'm thinking about anyway for Xmas. (Did I just say that word)!!! :eek:

Anyway, enjoy the bank holiday weekend

takingcontrolatlast

Just a quick post as I'm so happy with myself... it took me all day and night but I have for the 1st time ever created an excel cashflow spreadsheet with formulas :j:j

I normally use pen and paper to budget for the month... I then never look at it again till i create a new one the following month.

I do want to be more focused with my money and keep tabs on where and what I'm spending. I want to be able to budget for the birthdays etc and maybe have a decent personal fund for myself. I want to budget for haircuts, clothes and household properly and at the same time keep paying off the debts.

Its just a basic spreadsheet I suppose but I'm really delighted with myself that I have done sums :rotfl:

My next excel spreadsheet will be for the household.

I have also a spreadsheet for debitors but there are no sums in it - I just manually update it each time i make a payment.

And I've cleaned my oven... and one of my kitchen cupboards :T

nite all x

takingcontrolatlast

Sunshine_girl2 wrote: »

Do you allocate yourself some personal spends each month. I have £100 , I use this for outings with friends ,etc. Works for me , once it's gone it's gone.

Hi Sunshine

I have created and completed my spreadsheet yesterday and I have allocated every penny from next week's pay ... first time ever I've done this so really chuffed.... and I have allocated £100 (using your example) to myself for a personal fund - lets see how I get on!

Ive never been able to before (as I explained I've overstretched myself) but seeing the allocation of the pounds/pennies to each debt and with this being my last loan payment I've been able to move the pounds and pennies around on my spreadsheet... which I luv luv luv :j

I'm hoping this spreadsheet will keep me focused moneywise as I've never tracked my money before... I've probably spent £100 before and more and moaned i have no money (I had but I'd spent it!!) ... but if that £100 is in my envelope/purse and when its gone its gone as you say and I cant spend anymore as I've allocated all my pounds/pennies.

Any future events Im invited to - if the personal budget is gone I'll have to look at alternatives or say no. For example, if I'm invited out I can say no come to mine for drinks or not this month I've a lot on - how about next month - knowing I'll have the money!

Why oh why didn't I do this years ago? .. obviously no LBM !!

x

GlendaSugarbean

Having an accurate budget and tracking it regularly makes SUCH a difference. I try and log spending daily and check my balance /budget first thing in the morning - keeps me on track .

And yes, if it ain't in the budget it doesn't happen!