"Lightbulb moment - 67k down. Need to execute a recovery plan"

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  • MrFrugalFever
    MrFrugalFever Forumite Posts: 1,011
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    In the grand scheme of things, £1,000 off of a £50k+ debt pile is relatively insignificant at this stage, I would keep it back for EF and be very strict about this. 
    The psychological impact of having to add further debt during your journey because you didn’t have an EF to fall back on, in my opinion, will far outweigh whatever gain you get from paying that £1k in to your debts right now.

    just my own two pennies worth.
    Save £12k in 2023 challenge

    Jan = £715 / £1,000 - Feb = £1,275 / £1,000 - Mar = £400 / £1,000  (fallen behind will make up in April)
    Apr = £ May = £ Jun = £
    Jul = £ Aug = £ Sept = £
    Oct = £ Nov = £ Dec = £

    Saved Total = £2,390 / £12,000
  • bamgbost
    bamgbost Forumite Posts: 467
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    Thanks MrFrugal...I think your right.
    All the stats, the experts and history point in the direction of having an Emergency Fund. As it is bound to prove useful at some point on this debt free journey.
    I think I better stick to the proven formula! B)
    365 Day 1p challenge - £371.49 / 667.95
    Emergency Fund   £1000 / £1000 ( will enlarge once debts are cleared)
    DFW - £TBC
  • One-step-at-a-time
    One-step-at-a-time Forumite Posts: 601
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    edited 22 March 2021 at 10:41AM
    Having sat on a 50k debt pile myself, I'm massively in favour of keeping an EF. Being able to replace a busted appliance without fretting about adding to the debt is a good feeling. It happened to us again recently and I'm making sure that the EF is getting back to where I want it over the next few months.
    DEBT-FREE 27/08/21 Mortgage: £19,670.73 to go
  • Bizzywizard
    Bizzywizard Forumite Posts: 206
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    Hi,
    I have an EF now my debt has GONE. Martin Lewis states on the main site to use your savings/EF as the interest you're incurring on your debt is more than what you would make in interest. Have a read, its worth it!. 
    Bizzy
  • MrFrugalFever
    MrFrugalFever Forumite Posts: 1,011
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    Hi,
    I have an EF now my debt has GONE. Martin Lewis states on the main site to use your savings/EF as the interest you're incurring on your debt is more than what you would make in interest. Have a read, its worth it!. 
    Bizzy
    I think you’re confusing savings with an actual emergency fund, the purposes of which are greatly different. I agree that you shouldn’t have savings sat earning nothing whilst paying large amounts of interest.

    the emergency fund is vital to function when in a large amount of debt and provides a psychological way out when the brown stuff hits the fan, it’s long since been recommended to achieve £1,000 in funds for only emergencies.
    Save £12k in 2023 challenge

    Jan = £715 / £1,000 - Feb = £1,275 / £1,000 - Mar = £400 / £1,000  (fallen behind will make up in April)
    Apr = £ May = £ Jun = £
    Jul = £ Aug = £ Sept = £
    Oct = £ Nov = £ Dec = £

    Saved Total = £2,390 / £12,000
  • bamgbost
    bamgbost Forumite Posts: 467
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    Thanks for the advise guys... A lotta stuff came up unexpectedly, that needed dealing with so low n behold a lot of the bonus went elsewhere.fortunately i did put £250 towards an EF. And at least have got that fund started. Need to get that to 1k as a priority.

    I totalled up the list today, and its sitting just above 50k! Still a huge amount, but down significantly from a year ago @ 67k! Approximately 25% down - So its moving in the right direction.
    I appreciate all the tips, advice and encouragement from the MSE clan! Its really helped motivate me. :):smiley:
    365 Day 1p challenge - £371.49 / 667.95
    Emergency Fund   £1000 / £1000 ( will enlarge once debts are cleared)
    DFW - £TBC
  • bamgbost
    bamgbost Forumite Posts: 467
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    Emergency Fund is in motion. currently @ £350. B)

    The forecast this month on my sidehustles is looking quiet, So progress is likely to slow down a little. But I still hope to clear my smallest CC by hook or by crook.
    Also we are back to school holidays, so food budget will increase again with kids at home. Wish me luck! :p
    365 Day 1p challenge - £371.49 / 667.95
    Emergency Fund   £1000 / £1000 ( will enlarge once debts are cleared)
    DFW - £TBC
  • Buffythedebtslayer
    Buffythedebtslayer Forumite Posts: 18,920
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    Just read your Diary, 

    Amazing! such amazing progress. Impressive. 
    Nevertheless she persisted.
  • bamgbost
    bamgbost Forumite Posts: 467
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    Been quite a while… head down trying to juggle that thing we call LIFE. :)

    DF Journey has been progressing a lot slower recently. As we try to live a little  :D and make steps to build up an Emergency Fund, alongside reducing debt.

    The side hustle side of things has had its ups and downs but keeping the debt amount moving in the right direction :| . So grateful for everybit that comes in.  The amounts left currently stand at:

     

    CARDS

    Amounts

    Interest

    S CC

    1055

    30%

    M CC

    2151

    30%

    H CC

    4052

    20% (0 til Sept 2021)

    C CC

    1873

    30%

     

     

     

    Loans

     

     

    A L

    7020

    9

    B L

    9462

    14.9

    R L

    9,810.00

    14.9

    H L

    13700

    7




    TOTAL

    49123


     Focus in still on reducing the CCs one by 1. Ticking them off in order of smallest to largest balances. (physcologically helps with ticking them off quickly :# )

    H CC, is looking pretty ominous, as Im worried the 0% will soon run out. And with the high debt levels we wont be able to transfer it to another 0%. Eeek!

     

    Anyone see any flaws with this approach? Or suggestions?

    365 Day 1p challenge - £371.49 / 667.95
    Emergency Fund   £1000 / £1000 ( will enlarge once debts are cleared)
    DFW - £TBC
  • katsu
    katsu Forumite Posts: 4,910
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    As you have credit cards charging 30% interest I would pay the money off the debt rather than having a £1k emergency fund. Think about what you really need money for, and why. That's £300 in interest that you are paying to have that EF so it's something to bear in mind. 

    Saving money for annual bills is different and I would recommend you do that. I just think with the size of your interest rate the question is what emergencies could you have and what is that £1k for, that it is worth £300 a year to you. 
    Debt at highest: £8k. Debt Free 31/12/2009. Original MFD May 2036, MF Dec 2018.
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