Crunchy pays off the loan early, and other stories

crunchy_time

t2rry said:

Hi Crunchy!! 

I think we all have those wobbles occasionally, rue our past selves for letting it get to this, imagine what we could do with all the money we are now putting to debt. But I think it’s better to think about how we’re now setting up our futures rather than paying off our pasts. If that makes sense! 

Also - it’s got to be right that sometimes we have to rejig how we think about it all, sometimes I think a refresh gives you back some incentive that you can lose after so long slogging away at it and thinking about it so much!!   I’ve certainly had enough of them 😂

I also agree that it’s got worse quicker for us when our income went up! It’s definitely a lifestyle thing, not to mention kids!! 

Anyway glad you’re feeling better 😊

Thank you T2rry - nice to hear from you!!
I feel so much better now that my signature is a true reflection of my head. Named debts helps to motivate me in paying them off. 

My parents were very good and upping lifestyles when they were better off so I have learned this from them. Weirdly, they were and still are very frugal. I’m having to unlearn lots of things but also create my own money philosophy that is separate from the one I was brought up with.

crunchy_time

shoppingobsessed2020 said:

I’ve just reread your old diary and you sound so much more positive in this one.  I have a diary but unsure how to link to it, but it’s just my ramblings as no one knows the level of debt we are in so we are trying to do it, well more me than him without compromising our lifestyle.  A large portion of our debt has gone on courses and then just ballooned from there so it’s so easily done.

im really looking forward to reading your diary going forward

Found yours! Looking forward to following you on your journey too!

Sarahwithlove

We all have wobble days the important thing is you picked yourself back up and are keeping going. 

crunchy_time

Good morning!
It feels very autumnal today.  I do love the changes in the seasons and the back to school feel that this time of year brings.  Sigh!  Feel loads better after changing my debts around to suit what was in my head.  Husband doesn't understand.  To him, money is money but it will feel good when I can say things like 'I've paid off the vets bill!' or 'the course fees are gone!'
I ordered the paint for husbands shed makeover yesterday.  B 7 Q didn't have it in stock but amazon came up trumps for me.  I need to clean it and sand it before I get painting so still lots to do.  Speaking of painting the house painting has been delayed again for a couple of weeks.  I cannot wait to get it paid for so we can focus on the next thing.
I  bought my two new lunch boxes for the next school year.  Sains had them very much reduced.  I am getting excited about physically going into work soon.  After this week I only have another full week and then it's two days and that's it!  My two have another 2 weeks.  I'm finding it hard to do things with them.  Not a lot of places are open and those that are have reduced attractions so I have to weigh up whether or not it is worth paying the money or not.  I want to support but after £80 for 2.5 hours of zoo time - I am reluctant.  Today's plan is a bike ride picnic at zero cost and they get to try out their new lunchboxes.
My house sort is going well.  I have now done the study, shed and children's bedrooms as well as the kitchen cupboards that end up like dumping grounds.  I looked at what we needed to get rid of and put it all out at the end of the drive for free - it just wasn't worth gumtreeing.  I'm hoping that the positive karma created will come back to me at some point.  I still have the loft to do and I KNOW there is a lot of rubbish up there.
When I was going through the study, I made a list of about 10 books that I haven't read yet so that should keep me busy for a while!  I have also spent some of my spending money this month on wire and beads to make some jewellery for myself.  I really enjoyed playing around last night whilst watching a film.  I made two pairs of earrings.  It's nice to be creative again.  Maybe if I get good I could start selling it and finally have that side hustle I have always dreamed of.
Crunch xx

Seasidegal58

The side hustle could work. Keep practising!😀
It certainly seems to cost an arm and a leg these days to do anything with children outside the house.  Going back to my childhood my parents and friends' parents weren't that well off and I think we spent most our time playing outside with trips to the local park and a day out to Southend in the summer now and again. Of course it's all changed now and parents are wary of letting kids play out - so there's more of a burden I think for parents to do more things with their kids. Which is a good thing, but alas it doesn't come cheap......

ohdearhowdidthathappen

You're sounding really positive and determined I really wouldn't beat yourself up or dwell on past mistakes... we've all made them or wouldn't be on here! 

crunchy_time

ohdearhowdidthathappen said:

You're sounding really positive and determined I really wouldn't beat yourself up or dwell on past mistakes... we've all made them or wouldn't be on here! 

Thank you! Believe it or not, I am getting better at not feeling so guilty anymore. Last time round the guilt was enough to motivate me to pay it off as quickly as we did. I need to find another emotion to propel me forward too as not having this loan really won’t do anything to improve our lifestyle whereas before we were desperate to get to this current house. Debt is so emotive.

crunchy_time

Hi everyone! 

Waiting for husbands pay day on Friday and then Tuesday 1st so signature can change! A couple of things to report.
- husband has now announced that he would like a track day for his birthday. Quick check on prices is about £189. I’m pleased as it’s just one thing to buy compared with 40 other things that would add up to a similar price. But now I have a jam spoon that cost £4.50 that can’t be used as a stocking filler as the kids have seen it! Doh! Will hold onto it and sneak it in the cupboards as something I ‘picked up’ at some point.
- We’ve gone a bit over with food spending this week due to organisation. I forgot to get dinner out of the freezer one day so we had fish and chips which cane out of the food budget and then I had to go to Tesco instead of Aldi as husband took my car with my disc for the trolley. I didn’t realise untiI had both kids in other car and we were half way there with no cash in purse. So the shop of course was more expensive. Will make it right on Friday.
- Also, I’ve signed up to a new fitness challenge app which I promised I would get after keeping up with running and exercising over lockdown. Was supposed to be £7.99 a month which is fine but I had to pay for it using husbands apple account and it automatically took a years subscription for £80 ish and from his account. Again, will somehow make it right on Friday. It’s a great app though. I’m not even going to look like me in a years time judging by the exercises so it will be a great investment- I shall keep you posted on my progress! Day 1 of week one done! Run in the rain tomorrow morning planned.
- the shed paint arrived. I bought two 1 litter tins thinking that would be enough but i needed to do four coats!!! So it’s one tin per walk. I need to spend another £40 on two more tins to get it done. Only completed one wall so far and now the weather has gone rubbish for the rest of the week. The fence paint has arrived too. Can wait to get cracking so I can start to turn my attention to indoors this autumn. 

- the duvet cover and sheets arrived and it’s so nice to snuggle in them. I can’t wait to pay it off my credit card though!! 

The children seem very content being at home and going on bike rides and playing with their toys so I’m reflecting that as long as they are happy then there is no point worrying about it. Lockdown was hard. 

I was planning to make some more jewellery tonight but I’m in here instead but today I made a bit of progress - I dusted off an old Instagram account to use and also had a look on Etsy to see what is required to sell on there. A little bit a day will get me to where I want to go.
Right - going to do a bit of banking and the off to bed to read before my 5.30am alarm to work out. I’m getting my body used to work mode since I only have just over a week left!!
crunchy xx

Honeysucklelou2

Good idea to ge5 your body back into work mode. I have reluctantly switched alarms back on in a bid to get used to the early starts!

crunchy_time

Morning!
Alarm went off and I was out the door in my running gear by 6.30am. A two mile run around the block in the rain and I smashed my PB’s from two days ago. Back and showered by 7.30am. Who is this person? 

I’m now reading a book recommended on Instagram called Thin side out about emotional eating vs dieting. It’s very good! I eat healthily but I do reward myself with food, eat to feel better when I am upset and clear my plate at dinner time. I’m hoping to finally lose the extra stone I put on 6 years ago whilst pregnant with DD and keep it off for good.
Not much to report money wise since yesterday.  Today will be a no spend day. I am very much enjoying them at the moment.
crunchy xx