The Four D's

FootyFanDan

Hey All, 
Hope everyone is doing ok - been a while since last update (although I have been checking in on diaries) So much seems to be going off right now. Real life stuff took over for a while and kinda felt not in zone to post much. Soooo I guess updates on progress and targets moving forward as I feel this is perfect time to assess my overall progress and what has worked/not worked so far and to kind of do a reset and re-focus.  The last 6-8 weeks of RL stuff has made me really sit back and judge myself and re-evaluate how I see things and how I act.

Personal - Wow, where to start - the last few months have been tough, emotionally and mentally and I have had to really kick my own !!!!!! into shape and really asses myself as a person and really take a look at my self and reflect on how I wanted things to be moving forward - not so much in a bad way but I think sometimes I unintentionally get dragged into crap I shouldn't. This affected my relationship/family and also my own mental wellbeing. Luckily I have a very supportive partner and we managed to take time and have serious chats and things are now much better there. Unfortunately my Dad is now constantly in and out of hospital weekly it seems with his own ill health and my MIL has now been diagnosed ill (not sure how long left) which is tough for my partner to manage from so far away. Whilst the COVID situation as its own challenges we are trying to be as strong as we can.

Debt - The debt has been coming down quite quickly, but I am now at a standstill as I have 2k left to pay across 3 creditors but due to the age of debt I am unsure who to pay. I have made contact with each creditor to see which CRA they passed to and where I need to make payments. I am so proud of the fact I have got this down to 2k, I think I will probably fall just short of my December target, but I am in such a better frame of mind financially and budget wise I am doing so well. There is the odd blip (treat...ooppsie ) but overall I feel in such a good place with all things finance wise, Hopefully (Spoiler lol) I will get a more better wage now as the job salary will be very much a big uplift on my current wage - well it better be!! haha. So providing I don't go silly I will have plenty of room for moving and saving more and paying off more.

Work - Well, this has been a mixture of good and bad. There has been some very difficult days over last month due to office environment becoming uncomfortable and colleague taking the p*ss resulting in me needing to do more work, fire-fight other issues as well as ending up getting stuck behind after my shift to listen to their grumbles about work, which was both very frustrating but was taking me into a very negative position which needed to change - which I have now took steps to do this. The good news is that I will hopefully be getting a promotion into a new role which is a management role so is more money ( YAY) and also better hours - that comes with bigger challenges and more responsibility, so I am seeing if that comes through.

Savings - I have managed to start getting some savings started and whilst these are still at low levels they will certainly help and these are pots that will be continued so will be in a good place moving forward. I have got SO setup and these are now regular enough that its now second nature these go out so its been nice to finally get into a routine

Car Mot/Service ; £100 saved really want to have £350 by December but will be just short 
Xmas: £150 - This is just set to £40 a month at present but any spare goes in here
EF: £300 - Again £50 a month goes into this and is now consistent - I got a bonus last month so put in £125
Annual Car Insurance - £50 - This isn't at the moment a huge priority and is due in March. Plan is to increase amount once Xmas is out of the scene.

I can't quite believe I have savings - that is almost un-imaginable that this could happen but I am so glad I am now doing this. 

Targets: 3 main targets
- Get debt free
- £1000 EF
- Ensure I take time to appreciate just exactly what I have.

Sorry for the long post - and thanks if you got to this bit. I read through my early posts and can hardly believe I have got this particular stage of things. I am not so much surprised at the amount I have paid but more by my change in mindset and the fact I have no arrears on stuff, I have savings and whilst things can change so quickly at the moment things are good. I aim to try update more now to keep focus (maybe weekly) but this diary has been my saving grace and its nice when i am feeling a bit deflated to be able to look back on what I have achieved so far.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and hope everyone has a fantastic week  

mark55man

we're still rooting for you @FootyFanDan - even though you are winning big-time  (even winners sometimes have set backs), but you are definitely at least 3-1 against the debt and well into the second half

alt80

I've read quite a lot of your diary and found it inspiring (one of the ones which have made me question some of my need to constantly throw money around and work so much I've hardly seen my six year old grow). You've done brilliant mate and are still winning whether you hit that target by the end of the year or a little after. 

FootyFanDan

mark55man said:

we're still rooting for you @FootyFanDan - even though you are winning big-time  (even winners sometimes have set backs), but you are definitely at least 3-1 against the debt and well into the second half

Thanks Mark, although I am a Leeds Fan...so it could still end up in a loss lol even this late in the game haha

mark55man

I was thinking of Leeds (my BFF is a mad fan - super super Leeds 70s style) when I wrote it, but I think you're in a way better place than 4-3

FootyFanDan

alt80 said:

I've read quite a lot of your diary and found it inspiring (one of the ones which have made me question some of my need to constantly throw money around and work so much I've hardly seen my six year old grow). You've done brilliant mate and are still winning whether you hit that target by the end of the year or a little after. 

Thank you @alt80, very kind of you to say. I am glad my ramblings inspired just a little haha.  I used to find it strange how I never bought extravagant thins yet always had no money! It seemed strange it was only when i realised how much the little spends add up. 

Growing up it was tough my Dad was always working and I felt I never saw him enough, it was obviously not intentional from his side and as an adult i can now see why but i vowed I wouldn't let my child feel that way and while I don't always succeed the work balance seems good at the moment.

FootyFanDan

Morning MSE world, 

Mid way point of the week - Yesterday was my last working day so I have now have 4 off to look forward too. Although not much planned today maybe just a bit of life admin and a proper catch up on here. 

On work news the promotion was confirmed yesterday and whilst there is still contracts and stuff to sign off it seems I will be transitioning over the next month or so. They need to work on my replacement and me training them up. I am really excited by this prospect as its defo a step up from where I am now so a great move career wise. There is more responsibilities with this new role and its certainly going to challenge me however I thrive off a challenge and it will be a rewarding job, Its also a move into the management team so that going to be different but less hours, more money(not important but helpful lol) Also more holidays no more 12 hour night shifts. So all in all a good move - plus I get away from some of the office drama, as I can work on any site and home if needed.

Have a good day all!

alt80

@FootyFanDan Well done on the promotion. 

I’m starting to realise family time is more important than buying toys for myself or throwing money around to make up for not being there. Haven’t been a great dad or husband tbf. 

Know what you mean about absent parents, mine had a pub in the middle of nowhere working all hours unless they were at the horses. Looking back now with hindsight me and my sister were practically feral kids lol good times though.

DancingInTheRain

Great news on the promotion, congratulations! 🍻 
Pleased you're back posting too, your finances are so different to your first post, keep going!

FootyFanDan

DancingInTheRain said:

Great news on the promotion, congratulations! 🍻 
Pleased you're back posting too, your finances are so different to your first post, keep going!

Thank You DITR  

I am hoping that the promotion goes as I hope, its the right move though that is for sure. I do feel in a good place with the finances and whilst there is still the odd slip I am way more conscious about spends. 

I hope you are keeping well