TravelGirl84's DFD

TravelGirl84

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

TravelGirl84

Hi All / Diary
Little update for this week.
I did my first mystery shop in a long time last Sunday, and have now done 3! I have also done 2 paying surveys on one of the mystery shopping apps which might lead to an actual mystery shop. I am waiting for one to be validated that I did yesterday and as long as that one is ok I will be waiting on £24 in total. Really chuffed with that!
I have also sold a purse on Ebay which will profit around maybe £9.50, but I have also bought some parcel bags for future selling so took that off too, so will pocket about £7 depending on Ebay fees. I have a skirt on Ebay too but I think it's on its third re-list so might need to bring the price down a bit more. I have had them finish on a Sunday because that's supposed to be the best time for selling. Apparantly the next best time is Tues, Weds and Thurs evenings, so I think from now on I will do Thursdays so that I can make sure I can get to the actual post office. So far I have been posting things through work but I can't get proof of postage which is a bit risky.
I sold my phone online today too which has quoted £105, so fingers crossed that goes through ok.
Food budget is depleted a little more than I would like, but I think I might have enough dinners. Just might need to buy some bits and pieces to go with some of them, and I also need to get food for work lunches, though I have got this weeks already. The last week will probably be pasta with whatever I have in the cupboards for a few days which is cheap as chips.
I should be having my review at work this week. I'm not worried about it as I have already sort of had a pre-chat, but we don't usually find out about rises and bonuses until after this. I'm kind of in limbo land at the moment in regards to that which is really frustrating lol. 
I hope everyone has a good week! 
x

Sarahwithlove

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

That's totally understandable. Maybe you need to look at long term realistic options for you. What would you be able to live on comfortably per month without feeling like you are missing out. For example I allow myself one takeaway coffee a week and to go out twice a month for dinner so that's why my personal spends is slightly more than most. But it helps keep me focused and on track. I don't feel so bad about saying no to some things if I know I have others coming up 

FootyFanDan

Hey,

It seems that you are still doing really well with everything . Food budget is something I have always and still do struggle with.

Hope the pasty and maccies bill isn't too much hahaha!

Good luck with the review at work, these can always be a bit daunting. How are things with work at the moment?

Hope your week goes okay.

x

TravelGirl84

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

That's totally understandable. Maybe you need to look at long term realistic options for you. What would you be able to live on comfortably per month without feeling like you are missing out. For example I allow myself one takeaway coffee a week and to go out twice a month for dinner so that's why my personal spends is slightly more than most. But it helps keep me focused and on track. I don't feel so bad about saying no to some things if I know I have others coming up 

I definitely agree with this. I need to look at the long term and take in to account things in the near future as well. For example, I wanted to clear my help to buy last year but for a couple of reasons I couldn't. If I had of, then I would have been paying another £160 a month. I could do that now but it leaves me a little tighter obviously, so I need to see what I can do to make sure I can comfortably pay this. We're having our pay reviews at work soon, so once I know what the deal is I can get my spreadsheet out and update the figures and see where I'm at. I love a spreadsheet. I think I need to plan my financials around my works financial year 

TravelGirl84

FootyFanDan said:

Hey,

It seems that you are still doing really well with everything . Food budget is something I have always and still do struggle with.

Hope the pasty and maccies bill isn't too much hahaha!

Good luck with the review at work, these can always be a bit daunting. How are things with work at the moment?

Hope your week goes okay.

x

Hiya!
Thanks. I think I am, and budgeting wise I am. I'm managing to pay things up front now and have money aside for different things which is great, but EF and debt wise I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere fast. 
Work is ok, we have got our pay reviews coming up so once I know what the deal is it's time to update my spreadsheet - which obviously I'm waaaay to excited about  and time for a financial review and some longer term planning. I have some thoughts but can't make any firm decisions or plans until I have the numbers. I know I'm lucky to work for a company that pays rises and bonuses, and I don't want to sound like I don't know that, but it's painful waiting to know lol.
I'll let you know what the pasty and Maccy's bills comes too haha.
Hope you're having a good week too!
x

Sarahwithlove

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

That's totally understandable. Maybe you need to look at long term realistic options for you. What would you be able to live on comfortably per month without feeling like you are missing out. For example I allow myself one takeaway coffee a week and to go out twice a month for dinner so that's why my personal spends is slightly more than most. But it helps keep me focused and on track. I don't feel so bad about saying no to some things if I know I have others coming up 

I definitely agree with this. I need to look at the long term and take in to account things in the near future as well. For example, I wanted to clear my help to buy last year but for a couple of reasons I couldn't. If I had of, then I would have been paying another £160 a month. I could do that now but it leaves me a little tighter obviously, so I need to see what I can do to make sure I can comfortably pay this. We're having our pay reviews at work soon, so once I know what the deal is I can get my spreadsheet out and update the figures and see where I'm at. I love a spreadsheet. I think I need to plan my financials around my works financial year 

Just remember that there's a good chance some of your household bills will go up as well so remember to budget for that as well. I understand why you want to get out of the help to buy loan but make sure you don't over stretch yourself doing so. Is it worth holding off for a bit longer and getting yourself a bit more sorted in terms of your finances 

TravelGirl84

Small update as forgot to write it previously:
-Had to get new lenses in my glasses which cost £84. Had money saved in my personal (optician/densist/hair) pot so paid that upfront! It was £84 for just the lenses, or £89 for a whole new pair of glasses. I decided to pay the £84 saving £5 and saving (I think) plastic. They're perfectly fine so why buy brand new ones if I can get these sorted, it's cheaper and helps save the planet.
- I have 4 x £2 coins so going to save them!

TravelGirl84

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

That's totally understandable. Maybe you need to look at long term realistic options for you. What would you be able to live on comfortably per month without feeling like you are missing out. For example I allow myself one takeaway coffee a week and to go out twice a month for dinner so that's why my personal spends is slightly more than most. But it helps keep me focused and on track. I don't feel so bad about saying no to some things if I know I have others coming up 

I definitely agree with this. I need to look at the long term and take in to account things in the near future as well. For example, I wanted to clear my help to buy last year but for a couple of reasons I couldn't. If I had of, then I would have been paying another £160 a month. I could do that now but it leaves me a little tighter obviously, so I need to see what I can do to make sure I can comfortably pay this. We're having our pay reviews at work soon, so once I know what the deal is I can get my spreadsheet out and update the figures and see where I'm at. I love a spreadsheet. I think I need to plan my financials around my works financial year 

Just remember that there's a good chance some of your household bills will go up as well so remember to budget for that as well. I understand why you want to get out of the help to buy loan but make sure you don't over stretch yourself doing so. Is it worth holding off for a bit longer and getting yourself a bit more sorted in terms of your finances 

That's a good point about the bills. Perhaps I need to add a buffer. I'm going to try and pay my car insurance up front this year so that should save me some pennies, then I can start saving for that over the following year for next year.
With the help to buy, I have just re-mortgaged so I have it for another 2 years, so I have time to plan and also hopefully I'll get another raise next year as well. If I don't take it on end of next year, I'll fall in to having to pay interest on it for the second half of that term, which will be about £40 or £50 a month, down the drain. If it comes to it and I can't then I can't, but I really want to try and take it on. I'm going to look at reducing my credit min payments so they are more manageable which should help. 

Sarahwithlove

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

TravelGirl84 said:

Sarahwithlove said:

I’m in a leasehold property and dreading how much it’s going to go up by this year. I pay mine by direct debit at the moment as they don’t charge extra for this. Hopefully you won’t get any more unexpected surprises on that front.

It’s hard sometimes to get the debt free vs living balance right, but just think the sooner you have them cleared the sooner you can save up for all the things you want to do.

After seeing your posts about monzo I think that’s made my decision to leave things how they are. Good luck with rest of your journey.

Hi Sarahwithlove 
Thank you for stopping by!
It seems like there is so much trouble with service companies. We have a residents meeting this month which will be really interesting as people are pretty irate at the moment!
Debt free vs living balance is really hard. I'm reconsidering my money options at the moment. If I had £5k to pay off I would just smash it over the next year and not do alot else (except for some big things that are already planned), but at the moment the figure I am at is £26500 without interest, and I just don't think I am the kind of person who can do nothing for maybe the next 3 years+ (realistically). I have quite a few things to consider but I'll keep this diary posted! 

That's totally understandable. Maybe you need to look at long term realistic options for you. What would you be able to live on comfortably per month without feeling like you are missing out. For example I allow myself one takeaway coffee a week and to go out twice a month for dinner so that's why my personal spends is slightly more than most. But it helps keep me focused and on track. I don't feel so bad about saying no to some things if I know I have others coming up 

I definitely agree with this. I need to look at the long term and take in to account things in the near future as well. For example, I wanted to clear my help to buy last year but for a couple of reasons I couldn't. If I had of, then I would have been paying another £160 a month. I could do that now but it leaves me a little tighter obviously, so I need to see what I can do to make sure I can comfortably pay this. We're having our pay reviews at work soon, so once I know what the deal is I can get my spreadsheet out and update the figures and see where I'm at. I love a spreadsheet. I think I need to plan my financials around my works financial year 

Just remember that there's a good chance some of your household bills will go up as well so remember to budget for that as well. I understand why you want to get out of the help to buy loan but make sure you don't over stretch yourself doing so. Is it worth holding off for a bit longer and getting yourself a bit more sorted in terms of your finances 

That's a good point about the bills. Perhaps I need to add a buffer. I'm going to try and pay my car insurance up front this year so that should save me some pennies, then I can start saving for that over the following year for next year.
With the help to buy, I have just re-mortgaged so I have it for another 2 years, so I have time to plan and also hopefully I'll get another raise next year as well. If I don't take it on end of next year, I'll fall in to having to pay interest on it for the second half of that term, which will be about £40 or £50 a month, down the drain. If it comes to it and I can't then I can't, but I really want to try and take it on. I'm going to look at reducing my credit min payments so they are more manageable which should help. 

Is there any way of clearing some of the credit so that you're not paying so many min payments come the end of the 2 years?