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

pencakes26

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Well done on tackling the debt and good that a DMP is working for you. An emergency fund is a must so selling bits will help with this and any savings on your budget could go in there. Taking lunch to work saved me a fortune over the years.

I was born in Surrey and lived there and in the Greater London suburbs until I was 28 but DH accepted a job in the south west and we moved out of London then. House prices were extortionate and although wages are not as high in other areas of the country it was more than compensated for by more availability of affordable housing. It has also meant our children have been able to buy properties whereas in London it is difficult. My nephew who still lives there has to pay high rent.

Thank you for reply

I'm from the Midlands originally, but have lived this way for the last 13 years. The initial shock at the difference in house prices was quite something :eek:

I don't know if I'd choose to live here if it wasn't for my job (which is quite niche and I couldn't do it everywhere) but at the moment it pays well enough to warrant living here. If that situation changes though I would definitely look at other areas.

pencakes26

Mondays mondays! I had a bit of a grumpy start to the day (my lack of motivation continues) but after a productive morning in the office I seem to have perked up.

I pay my car off in June so that's an extra bit of a cash per month to put towards other debts. My DFD is 2 years and 7 months away and while that isn't a long time, I still would like to bring that forward, even if just by a couple of months.

I've joined the £1 a day challenge and using change to pay into a physical pot which is why I'm a bit behind. Does anyone do this virtually instead? Wondering if I could do that instead of a physical one, or as well as.... hmmmm

pencakes26

Opinion needed: what counts as a NSD? I know it sounds like a stupid question, but in my head I still count them even if I've paid for travel to work, but nothing else, given that I have to get to work...

I guess if we're being strict then I wouldn't include it but... :rotfl:

Pay day on Friday and god I'm looking forward to it! I budgeted everything within an inch of my life to get me through as we last got paid on 19th December and obviously we had Christmas in that time too.

Also looking forward to seeing those numbers in my signature get lower. One of my debts is close to dropping below the £10k mark so for the first time in a long long time, I will only have 4 figure debts. I know collectively my total debt is still very much 5 figures, but you have to celebrate the small wins, no matter how tiny.

Naomim

pencakes26 wrote: »

Opinion needed: what counts as a NSD? I know it sounds like a stupid question, but in my head I still count them even if I've paid for travel to work, but nothing else, given that I have to get to work...

I guess if we're being strict then I wouldn't include it but... :rotfl:

Pay day on Friday and god I'm looking forward to it! I budgeted everything within an inch of my life to get me through as we last got paid on 19th December and obviously we had Christmas in that time too.

Also looking forward to seeing those numbers in my signature get lower. One of my debts is close to dropping below the £10k mark so for the first time in a long long time, I will only have 4 figure debts. I know collectively my total debt is still very much 5 figures, but you have to celebrate the small wins, no matter how tiny.

Payday for me too! This is my 2nd month of budgeting but not really counting December as we had Christmas and the early pay day.

As for NSD's. I don't include travel, petrol, grocery shopping or any DD's coming out of the bank account. For me it's where I haven't spent anything on a personal spend like lunches, toiletries etc

Naomim

pencakes26

A busy start to the week for me, but a nice update to the signature. I'd never added up all my debts before so the £50k original total was a complete :eek: moment! Luckily I am creeping down to the mid £30ks now with 29% of my original debt paid off.

My DMP payment goes out at the end of the week as does my car payment so even more to come off the debt.

Good news followed by bad news, my long overdue trip to the dentist today is going to be the start of some biggish bills - I've got some problems with my gums that need treating and I don't think it's going to be cheap. Going back on Friday to see how much it's really going to cost.

pencakes26

Got my claim email from Wonga today. A disappointing outcome given my claim was over £3k, but at least I will get some (£138) money back.

On a more positive note, my DMP statement came through so have been able to update my signature. :j

My car payment figure is now in the hundreds (I overpaid by £3.85 so it would drop below £1k!) which is nice feeling.

I paid off a chunky bill with EON too. :T

Emergency fund isn't doing too well but hopefully next month I can add to it as I won't have EON to pay and should be getting the Wonga repayment and the money from Natwest for switching accounts last year. Fingers and toes crossed!

Outside of financial matters, work is super busy, my attendance at the gym is somewhat flakey but the love life seems to be on the up, so I can't really complain.

MidsHollie

Sounds like life is good Pencakes, apart from the teeth.
I love how we get excited about the little pence or pounds that get us below a barrier. But hey, debt busting can be miserable so may as well celebrate the small things!
I really would recommend getting a least a few hundred in an emergency fund. I've already used mine for a chipped windscreen, and it was so great to be guilt free and not shifting budgets (or using credit) for that. It sounds like once your payments come through though, you'll have a fair start at it!

pencakes26

It's been a while since I visited! Life seems to be forever keeping me busy. Mostly for the better, but wouldn't it be good if we all didn't have to work so hard!   
Nothing hugely exciting to report, debts are going down, my budget sheet is always updated and I feel relatively stress free about money... I say relatively because you can never be totally happy when in debt, but it doesn't consume my every waking thought anymore which has made a huge difference to my life and my mental health. 
My only wish now is that the weather hurries up and gets better, I'm bored of the rain and the cold! 

pencakes26

I'm sure like many, many other people on this forum, the dreaded C word is causing worry and concern. The industry I work in is based on travel and public events so this is having a huge impact on us. Luckily things are not due to start properly until May, but who knows what will happen. All spend has been cancelled/frozen too, so I can't really do my job. Everything is in limbo, but I'm more worried about having a job at the end of this.. At least I am still healthy (and have toilet roll!). 
Hope everyone else is ok in these uncertain times.

pencakes26

Day one of WFH for the foreseeable. I was due to be in the office but after Boris's announcement last night our business has asked everyone to work from home. It's going to be tricky and I feel I might go slightly bonkers with no one to talk to (I live on my own) but I'm grateful that I do have the ability to do so. 
I hope everyone is ok.