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

pencakes26

Applewood1 said:

I'm sorry to hear about your pay cut. It's terrible for so many people. The good news is that you've adjusted your DMP accordingly and are keeping positive about it. One day at a time!

One day at a time is definitely something to live by. Thank you for your kind words  

pencakes26

Trying to think of the positives at the moment, and one of them is the ability to reduce spending. My plan is to put all the money I would have spent on commuting into my emergency fund while I can. I also feel like I am spending less on food overall so hopefully at the end of the month I can put leftover budget into the fund too. 🤞

pencakes26

Thank to my DMP reduction my DFD is now November 2022, but I'm crossing all fingers and toes that once life gets back to 'normal' I can overpay a little and bring that date forward. 🤞🤞
I had a mixed weekend, the weather cheered me up and even though I don't have a garden (a serious luxury in London!) I did sit outside on my front porch area which probably looked a bit odd but at least I got some sun! I also went on a couple of really long walks in random places (to avoid people where possible). Yesterday I was in a massive grump but medicated with a glass of wine and a film. 
This morning I got straight into work (after my coffee, obviously!) and then took a little break to do an online HIIT workout. 
Routine, routine, routine, right?!  

pencakes26

My hayfever is going nuts this year - never had anything like it. I've heard it might be to do with me being in the house a lot and just being subjected to the same pollen all day every day. One person even said it's because the pollution is less, the pollen count is higher. Either way, I am the sniffle queen at the moment! 
Moved a bit of money around this morning. I'm trying to split anything I would have normally spent like travel costs etc across debts and savings. I've overpaid again on my car this month too as the agreement ends on 1st June so I want that final payment to be as low as possible. 
Things are only going to get tighter as the months go on (if my pay cut doesn't get reversed) but hopefully with my car nearly paid off and a bit of savings, I have a small cushion. 
One thing this situation has made me is quite reflective and giving me time to think about what I want in life and where I want to be. Obviously I won't (and can't!) make any rash decisions, but it's definitely given me food for thought. 
Talking of food, I need to eat less of that!!!   

Sarahwithlove

My hayfever has been crazy this year as well I had to go onto prescription strength to sort it out. If it doesn't get any better I would suggest doing the same it's made such a difference. 

pencakes26

Sarahwithlove said:

My hayfever has been crazy this year as well I had to go onto prescription strength to sort it out. If it doesn't get any better I would suggest doing the same it's made such a difference. 

It was slightly better yesterday but it's got worse again today. Hopefully the antihistamines I've just taken will help but good to know I can get something stronger from the docs if needed. 

pencakes26

Not feeling too happy today. A few relationship issues rumbling away, but hopefully nothing serious. 
Pushing money into my savings account where poss to help the new restricted income situation - my reduced pay arrives on Friday. I feel like I can make it work whilst on lockdown, but my worry is if I still get paid less but have to spend money on commuting again. Makes things even trickier. 
Got an email from Sky saying my broadband/phone contract was coming to an end and was going up to £42 a month! So I've just spent the morning looking at other deals and I've got one sorted for £23.50 p/m. Much better. Looks like the switch will be easy, no engineer needed just a new router which they're sending (for free). 

pencakes26

Coming up to six weeks since life well and truly changed - I've been working from home since the 16th March and have only seen one person in that time (excluding postmen and delivery people!). It feels very odd to think I haven't socially interacted with so many people, or even just bought a coffee. I am so grateful I have a safe flat, I can pay my rent and I have work to do. But I do very much feel like an island. 
On a positive note, I've been doing lots more home workouts and I'm really enjoying them and the boost they give me. I didn't ever think I'd be into TV led workouts but here I am! 
I've also put more money into my EF - it's mainly money I'm saving by not getting the train every day. Will be so nice to get to that £1k mark. 
Anyway, happy Monday everyone! 

pencakes26

I'm going to be a typical Brit here and complain about the weather. Why is it so cold and grey?!! I've got so many layers on, and a hot water bottle! 
Just one more car payment to go (I paid May's a bit early). It's a big chunk left, but I've managed to overpay so the final payment has been reduced from a lump sum of £475 to £299 which is slightly more palatable. Once that's done, I'll have an extra £176 a month so my plan is to put that into my savings for now, and then once I have a bit more job security (I work in motorsport, so everything is going to up in the air for a long time) I can use it to overpay debts. 
My £1 challenge is way behind but I'm just not really using cash at the moment so I've not been adding coins the pot. I have got a couple of smaller savings pots online so maybe I should start using them again. 

pencakes26

Apologies for the radio silence on here, work has taken over a bit and I'm trying to workout/walk in my free time. I've definitely put on a few lockdown pounds, and my mental health is on a bit of a rollercoaster, but I feel like things are more stable now as I get used to things. 
Today is a momentous occasion on my debt free journey - I have now paid off my car in full! 🎉That's one less debt to think about and leaves me with more money each month to pay down others. It's a great feeling.