The Four D's

DancingInTheRain

I agree with building up a small EF first and then splitting payments between debt, EF and HTB or LISA. Might be worth coming up with a split more weighted to debt repayment that makes you feel comfortable, say 50/30/20 then as the debt decreases you could increase the EF/HTB contributions. Nothing needs to be set in stone, it's all about the destination not the journey and you'll get there, I'm sure of it.
Re-read your first post and more recent ones to remind yourself of how far you've come, whatever you decide moving forward you'll definitely achieve it as you've had such a massive switch in your mindset.

FootyFanDan

DancingInTheRain wrote: »

I agree with building up a small EF first and then splitting payments between debt, EF and HTB or LISA. Might be worth coming up with a split more weighted to debt repayment that makes you feel comfortable, say 50/30/20 then as the debt decreases you could increase the EF/HTB contributions. Nothing needs to be set in stone, it's all about the destination not the journey and you'll get there, I'm sure of it.
Re-read your first post and more recent ones to remind yourself of how far you've come, whatever you decide moving forward you'll definitely achieve it as you've had such a massive switch in your mindset.

Thank you DITR, I just read my very first post and wow! the change is crazy. I actually think sometimes in all the everyday things and because of how things have changed I forget just how much I have changed my whole approach in a relatively short space of time.

I really like the idea of 50/30/20 that is a really good way to do it. I would love to think that by the time I am the big 40 I am well set up financially and have my own house but I don't wanna think to fair ahead, I guess you never know what life can bring.

Thank you for your encouragement its really helpful

BankMoth888

Hi - just dropped in to say I've just read the first 6 pages of your diary and then the last 6 and you sound like a totally different person now (will read every one of the pages in between later). How far you've come in such a short time! I'm so inspired. It's been really useful to see the highs and lows you've experienced at the different stages of your journey and how you've kept going, trying different ways of doing things. I'm going to go away and think about goal-setting now as that really seems to have worked for you. Thank you and keep going!

FootyFanDan

BankMoth888 wrote: »

Hi - just dropped in to say I've just read the first 6 pages of your diary and then the last 6 and you sound like a totally different person now (will read every one of the pages in between later). How far you've come in such a short time! I'm so inspired. It's been really useful to see the highs and lows you've experienced at the different stages of your journey and how you've kept going, trying different ways of doing things. I'm going to go away and think about goal-setting now as that really seems to have worked for you. Thank you and keep going!

Hey

Thank you very much for your kind words, I have defo had moments of struggle in my journey where I could have given up and admittedly in the past I possibly would have done but having stuck with it I am so glad I did, the first 4 months or so laid the foundation for where I am now. I still have questions and think I should do things different sometimes but the determination to get to my destination is stronger than ever. I am just starting to see the benefits of the budgeting and feeling like I now control my money rather than it controlling me. I still have so far to go in my journey but I firmly believe I have got this! I still have moments of I wish I could do this or buy this however I no longer sacrifice everything to get the latest gadget or thing. I weight up the cost vs how much use I will get out of it and then if I can save for it I will get it. This journey as taught me to try appreciate more of what I have.

Thank you for the encouragement

FootyFanDan

Hi All, 
Them four days off went way to quick as usual lol. Hope everyone doing well, back on the day shift this week so feeling slightly normal for a change haha. I was up bright and early this morning and out of house for 05:30am and in the gym before work I must admit gym is making me feel loads better just got to keep going and building up fitness before i then up the intensity but i am deffo going to stick with this.

In other news not really much happening, i went for interview on Wednesday which although went well i am not sure i would take the job if it was offered, despite the issues with current job i am not sure leaving to go to one i interviewed for is the wisest option yet. 

Hope everyone has a good weekend, it looks like it could be quite a windy one! I think i will spend some time trying to catch up on diaries. 

TravelGirl84

Hi Dan!
Just popping in to keep up to date. 
Glad the gym is making you feel better. It definitely makes me feel better but need to get in to a better habit. I didn't go at all this week and maybe only once last week  I want to do at least twice a week.
Well done on getting through the interview. These things are always our chance to find out if the company and job are suitable as well as them interviewing the candidate.
Have you made any decisions about splitting your money? It's tricky isn't it. I'm definitely re-thinking things at the moment as have some things I want to save for and some things I need to save for, one of them being fees to re-mortgage my help to buy next year. I know it's a little way off but best laid plans and all that. When you talk about saving for help to buy, are you talking about a deposit?
Have a great week!
TG x

FootyFanDan

TravelGirl84 said:

Hi Dan!
Just popping in to keep up to date. 
Glad the gym is making you feel better. It definitely makes me feel better but need to get in to a better habit. I didn't go at all this week and maybe only once last week  I want to do at least twice a week.
Well done on getting through the interview. These things are always our chance to find out if the company and job are suitable as well as them interviewing the candidate.
Have you made any decisions about splitting your money? It's tricky isn't it. I'm definitely re-thinking things at the moment as have some things I want to save for and some things I need to save for, one of them being fees to re-mortgage my help to buy next year. I know it's a little way off but best laid plans and all that. When you talk about saving for help to buy, are you talking about a deposit?
Have a great week!
TG x

Hey TG
The gym is making me feel really good and as its on way to work I kinda force myself to go in there on route (the getting up early isn't great fun haha) however once I'm up I am fine, then find the workout makes me more fresh.
It is very tricky as I do know that in theory having EF and having some savings in H2B would help, but I am so focussed on wanting debt gone that I feel an EF is counter productive. I know that sounds silly, however as a tenant I don't for see an emergency that can't  be covered by income (I know I am screaming at myself too). I just want to pile everything into debt but I think I will stick with EF for now. And yeah the H2B is for deposit and obvs an house is way down the line I think.


Hope your plans are going well... I need to catch up on diaries  

Have a good week too 
x

mrmining

Hi Dan, I've been reading your diary the last few nights while on night shift. Your situation is so similar to mine and it really got me determined to start my journey to being debt free. Keep up the hard work!!

FootyFanDan

mrmining said:

Hi Dan, I've been reading your diary the last few nights while on night shift. Your situation is so similar to mine and it really got me determined to start my journey to being debt free. Keep up the hard work!!

Hey, 
Thanks Glad my journey inspires. I wouldn't have imagined I would have come has far as I have in so little time. If I can do this then any person can.

FootyFanDan

Evening Guys, 

Just a quick check in to keep myself accountable, that's my shifts over for this week. I do have only a few days off over the next few shifts as doing overtime (every bit helps hehe). Few positives this week:

- I have hit the gym before work every day (except today) which I never thought possible
- I had development review at work where got a few things of chest (more to follow maybe lol )
- Electric / Gas is now on a reasonable direct debit for the 1st time in ages!

Thank you to every who persists with my waffle of a diary haha, your comments do help and many ppls diaries are so inspiring. I will update properly in the morning and get together a to do list