A return to MSE with a DMP so I can be debt free

Sarahwithlove

Good luck so close to the 50% you can do it. Do you think you'll have anything left in any of your pots at end of month to make that 1% up. 

pencakes26

Sarahwithlove said:

Good luck so close to the 50% you can do it. Do you think you'll have anything left in any of your pots at end of month to make that 1% up. 

Thank you I don't think it'll manage it this month, but December's DMP payment will do it 🤞🤞 A good way to end the year I think! 

Sarahwithlove

Definitely a good way to end the year. How long has it taken? What's your plans for 2021?

pencakes26

Sarahwithlove said:

Definitely a good way to end the year. How long has it taken? What's your plans for 2021?

I started a bit in 2016 but I had my real LBM in May 2019 when I realised I was just treading water and the only thing I was actually paying off was my car. I just couldn't manage anything more than minimum payments (and even that was a struggle) felt a bit hopeless. I finally swallowed my pride, went to Step Change for advice and started a DMP. The amount I've paid off in 17 months compared to the amount I'd paid off in the previous years is just incredible. I couldn't have done it without the help of Step Change. 
Plans so far for 2021 are to get the DMP down to four figures, but I'd really like to sit down and work out what my other goals for the year would be. Definitely a bit of a budget review is needed too. 

pencakes26

Last day of the month and I feel ready for the last month of the year in more ways than one! 
Christmas presents almost all bought - just a few smaller bits to get now so no large bill looming apart from food, but OH are celebrating together on the 24th before heading to our families separately on the day itself so I'm not expecting anything too ridiculous. 

My final DMP payment for the year goes tomorrow so once that clears I should end the year with under 18k on my DMP. I'll squirrel away a few more bits between now and the 31st Dec and pay towards the loan from my family but I should have paid off over £12.5k this year - that's DMP, family loan and car payments. And there was me thinking I hadn't done enough 😂

Over the Christmas break I'll work out some proper goals for next year as I only have 15 months until my target DFD so I'll need to work seriously hard to reach that. June 2022 is looking much more likely but we'll see what I can do 🤞🤞

pencakes26

A busy day of work today but a good one. Just two weeks left of work now too which feels nice! We're very quiet over the Christmas period but the new year will be crazy busy so it's nice to know we've got a good break before the madness. I'm looking forward to spending time with the OH and keeping cozy in my flat. 
As far as spending goes it felt like the anti NSD today! But the majority of my bills go out on the 1st so it's no big surprise. I don't expect to spend any money tomorrow or Thursday and I always try and fit in a few NSDs a week. 

delta13

Really enjoying reading your diary @pencakes26 - I have subscribed

pencakes26

delta13 said:

Really enjoying reading your diary @pencakes26 - I have subscribed

Thank you @delta13   It's mostly just my ramblings but I this is the only place I really talk about my debts and how things are going so I find it really useful. Other people's diaries are helpful and inspiring at the same time I find! 

pencakes26

A busy morning for me but just hopping on to update my signature. It's such a simple thing but gives me a great buzz! 
With my DMP payment clearing, I've now jumped over the halfway mark and reached 51% total debt paid. 🎉
At my current rate, I'll pay off the remaining £24.8k in 20 months which brings me close to my dream target, but not quite close enough. Gonna need all the help I can get!! 

Sarahwithlove

Well done that's great crossing the half way mark. It's only down from here!