Road to Recovery

Charliegirl93

Been lurking in these diaries for a long time and finally decided to start my own.

A little background on me- I am 26 years old, single & diagnosed with bipolar, currently live in supported accommodation & been out of work since January due to having a tough time with my mental health, I am currently on universal credit and due to go back to work part time in the next couple of weeks (Cant come soon enough!)

I have always had debt but managed to get Debt free in July 2018 after using a lot things your diaries taught me! I remained debt free until January when becoming unwell meant I was unfortunately out of work. I know I need to change my spendy ways, clear my current debt and save and emergency fund which would get me by through for 6 months if I am ever to become this unwell again!

Current debt stands at -
Lloyd's Overdraft - £100.00
Capital One CC - £355.00
ESA Overpayment - £623.45
UC Advance - £275.00

Also have a holiday to Cornwall in October (I need to save £50 spending money for this) and Menorca in July 2020 ( which I just need to pay for the flight - £320)

I have set a budget for September and meal planned the entire month, I am lucky I stay at my parents weekends so i dont need money for food on those days! I am due my next payment of UC on the 4th and will make some payments to my debts then.

I also plan on having 20 NSD this month! Decluttering my wardrobe and having a car boot sale this weekend (weather dependent) and currently have 95 items listed on Ebay!!

Charliegirl93

I have passed Occupational Health, Which means i will be returning to work very soon!!!! That news couldn't have come at a better time!

Today i managed to do a food shop by myself which i haven't done in a very long time, and it came in £3 under budget!! So i will now spend the evening batch cooking my meals for the month, i have been sticking to meal plan every day.

I paid my monthly payments to my debt.

Current debt stands at

Overdraft - £100.00/100.00
CC1 - £330.00/355.00
ESA Overpayment - £575.78/623.45
Universal Credit Advance - £250.00/275.00

I have also given my mum £50 for my spending money for Cornwall so that is now all covered! I sold 1 item on ebay so once that payment clears it will go straight towards my CC as i have 5months of 0% Remaining so want to focus on completely clearing that! my dad has also offered to pay for my flight to menorca next year if i sell his car which will help me massively!

Going to focus on my cooking for the rest of the evening and hopefully have 2 NSD this weekend!

Hope Everyone is having a good week!

Charlie

clearmydebts

Well done on passing your Occupational Health check and the very best of luck with your debt journey

happy_money

Hi Charlie!

Thought I'd pop over onto your diary too
So nice to have someone with similar goals to support each other!

MovingForwards

Well done on budgeting and getting the ok from Occupational Health

Charliegirl93

I managed the whole weekend without spending a penny!!

Sorted through my clothes last week and was passing cash4clothes today & got £4.20 for 2 bags, have another bag full at home which I will put in my car for next time I pass!! Also sold an item on Ebay for £39.95

My dads car also sold on Ebay, and the guy is coming to collect it Friday so as long as that all goes through, he will be paying for my flight to menorca for me!

Paid the £4.20 from my clothes straight into bank and put £5 across to my CC!

I need fuel in my car as IM GOING BACK TO WORK PART TIME MONDAY!!!! so plan on using £30 for fuel then the rest for another CC payment!

Still sticking to my plan and havent had to spend any extra on food yet, hopefully this continues!

Also put my PIP application in the post last night so fingers crossed for that, I know it's a very long process having had it before!

Any tips on anything else I could be doing ?

Charlie x