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

Mum2Nan

I have delurked.  I've just read through your diary.  Well done on paying your car off.  Like you say, it's one less debt to worry about.  I understand about the logistics of working from home under this current climate.  I can't wait for it all to be over to be honest.

pencakes26

Mum2Nan said:

I have delurked.  I've just read through your diary.  Well done on paying your car off.  Like you say, it's one less debt to worry about.  I understand about the logistics of working from home under this current climate.  I can't wait for it all to be over to be honest.

Thank you! I'm obviously very grateful to still have a job but I'm really hoping for normality soon. My pay cut has been extended until the end of July now too so not ideal but not surprising. 

Applewood1

Congrats on paying off the car! That's wonderful

pencakes26

Happy Friday everyone. I still can't quite believe we're now in June and have been in lockdown for so long. I feel like I am getting used to a bit or maybe it's just not feeling as hard now. 
We got told yesterday that it will be at least September before we go back to our office - we're based in central London so they're making sure we don't have to deal with public transport for the time being. It's much appreciated but I am looking forward to going back to mix of wfh and being in the office. 
Looking at my debts, I'm still paying them off at a reduced rate but they are going down so that's one reassuring thing. I am so looking forward to the moment my DMP goes below £20k and my overall goes below £30k. I know it's not about judgement but those numbers feel less shocking to me. 

pencakes26

Went for a nice hour long walk today whilst the rain held off and it gave me some time to think about what I want to do. I've been struggling recently with the uncertainty that this situation has put us all in. I find I am happier with structure so I've decided to set myself some goals. I've been wondering whether I should move out of my flat and move home - it would help me save money on living costs and pay my debt quicker. The theory seems logical and obvious but I've realised that mentally, my own space and life is important to me, as is living where I do. I want to pay off my debts yes, but not at the cost of my mental health and happiness. Of course this makes my next plan harder, but where there's a will, there's a way, right? My current DFD is November 2022, a good 29 months away, but I'd like to set my goal for my 36th birthday, bringing my DFD forward by about 8 months. No easy task but entirely achievable I think. So time to take a deep breath and make it happen! 🤞🤞

Mum2Nan

pencakes26 said:

Happy Friday everyone. I still can't quite believe we're now in June and have been in lockdown for so long. I feel like I am getting used to a bit or maybe it's just not feeling as hard now. 
We got told yesterday that it will be at least September before we go back to our office - we're based in central London so they're making sure we don't have to deal with public transport for the time being. It's much appreciated but I am looking forward to going back to mix of wfh and being in the office. 
Looking at my debts, I'm still paying them off at a reduced rate but they are going down so that's one reassuring thing. I am so looking forward to the moment my DMP goes below £20k and my overall goes below £30k. I know it's not about judgement but those numbers feel less shocking to me. 

I work in the City.  We are also receiving the same messages about reopening the office September / October time but only for around 15% of the workforce.  I don't think we will ever go back to commuting 5 days a week unless through choice, those days are long gone.

Hopefully normal salary will resume for you soon.  I wouldn't worry too much about paying reduced payments on your debts.  It's still heading in the right direction.

On whether to stay put or move home depends on how quickly you want to get rid of your debts.  Personally, I woudn't sacrifice my mental health to pay debts off more quickly, if you prefer your own space.

pencakes26

Mum2Nan said:

pencakes26 said:

Happy Friday everyone. I still can't quite believe we're now in June and have been in lockdown for so long. I feel like I am getting used to a bit or maybe it's just not feeling as hard now. 
We got told yesterday that it will be at least September before we go back to our office - we're based in central London so they're making sure we don't have to deal with public transport for the time being. It's much appreciated but I am looking forward to going back to mix of wfh and being in the office. 
Looking at my debts, I'm still paying them off at a reduced rate but they are going down so that's one reassuring thing. I am so looking forward to the moment my DMP goes below £20k and my overall goes below £30k. I know it's not about judgement but those numbers feel less shocking to me. 

I work in the City.  We are also receiving the same messages about reopening the office September / October time but only for around 15% of the workforce.  I don't think we will ever go back to commuting 5 days a week unless through choice, those days are long gone.

Hopefully normal salary will resume for you soon.  I wouldn't worry too much about paying reduced payments on your debts.  It's still heading in the right direction.

On whether to stay put or move home depends on how quickly you want to get rid of your debts.  Personally, I woudn't sacrifice my mental health to pay debts off more quickly, if you prefer your own space.

I heard similar, no real return to the office before September, and even then it will be staggered. I think it's sensible but the thought of WFH all that time doesn't appeal too much. I live on my own so I just really miss the day to day mixing with other people. I am very lucky that I can WFH, but it has been quite lonely. 
I think re: moving, my mum has been so supportive and said there's space for me if I want it which is lovely, but it would mean moving my whole life - I live 150+ miles away from my family so it's not a quick or easy solution. I guess it's all about balance and I've read it so many times that if you make it too difficult for yourself to pay off your debt, you're more likely to fail. 

pencakes26

Does anyone get the feeling that they want to wish the days away? I am sure it's really common especially when paying off debt. I just have days when I want the next pay day to come so I can pay off more debt. I think I've had similar levels of debt for so long because until last year I was just servicing it or adding to it it makes me feel more impatient now I'm actually paying it off. Next month I will have been on my DMP for a year, which has flown by so I should focus on that and not wish my life away! 

Adding in apologies for the rambling post, my head has felt very full recently. 

Mum2Nan

pencakes26 said:

Does anyone get the feeling that they want to wish the days away? I am sure it's really common especially when paying off debt. I just have days when I want the next pay day to come so I can pay off more debt. I think I've had similar levels of debt for so long because until last year I was just servicing it or adding to it it makes me feel more impatient now I'm actually paying it off. Next month I will have been on my DMP for a year, which has flown by so I should focus on that and not wish my life away! 

Adding in apologies for the rambling post, my head has felt very full recently. 

Hi Pencakes, you are not on your own there!  I am always one month ahead of other people outside of debt world and my job takes me even further ahead of that.

May be set up one or two small goals to focus on during the month when you can't actually make any further repayments until your next payday so that you feel you are making progress.  As an example, I am trying to get as many NSDs as possible this month.

pencakes26

Thanks for the reply Mum2Nan. I think it's because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel it makes me want to get there quicker than when I was burying my head in sand. Thanks for the tip, I think making smaller goals to help me focus throughout each month will help 🤞