Crunchy pays off the loan early, and other stories

crunchy_time

Afternoon all

I am at home today as one child had suspected appendicitis and we have been in A&E all night.  Thankfully not that and a gastro virus that he hasn't gotten over.  Didn't get home till 5.30 am - shattered.  Up now and getting organised doing banking and some work.

My DD for my loan isn't coming out tomorrow so I have made an overpayment to the value of the last min payment - £182.  With husbands payment tomorrow that reduces the consumer dent from 2018 to £508!!  I have to find £50 for it is all to be gone by January 1st which is possible next payday.  I can't wait to get this over with so we can move on to the next chapter of our lives!

This will be paying off the credit cards and house debt.

I still need to finish Christmas shopping and want to get this done as soon as possible.  Hopefully this week. I managed to get hold of some stocking fillers and we have got the Christmas decorations down ready to see what we need.  It feels like wading through treacle this last few weeks of term.  Thank goodness after this it is only 2 weeks to go.  I know if I was teaching I would be absolutely shattered by now and I am not which I am grateful for.

Anyway, must get Christmas presents wrapped up figuratively and literally so we can focus on husband's credit card next.

Crunchy xx

Lifestartsat40

Sounds like you are getting organised x

crunchy_time

Morning all

Three weeks until Christmas - eek!

My new car arrives today which is great as the old one broke down this week on the way to the school run.  Husband had to abandon it and walk home.  We got a can of fuel and topped it up that made it run again and we got it home.  Husband went to start it and it sounded very bad and he thinks it has leaked fuel.  So it's now declared SORN and destined for the scrap heap.  

My loan statement came through and it reminded me of how I used to round it down to the nearest £5 about 6 months ago.  So I decided to do this and it has shaved a few pounds off.  I will do this every month but no more overpayments until husband's credit card is paid off.

Husband's office is relocating so is getting rid of equipment in return for a donation.  Hoping for two laptops the kids can have as Christmas presents.  We shall find out this week if this is happening or not.

Tonight I am going to finally sort out Christmas presents and cards so I can relax.

We are putting the tree up after going for a spin in my new car!!  I feel liberated and free with this purchase.  It was my birthday this week - the big 4-0 and I finally own my own car for the first time in about 6 years.  Husband owns and pays for the other two so this is a change for me.  I feel a huge change in mindset now.

Have a lovely weekend every one!

Crunchy xx

CL21

Happy birthday 🥳 and happy new car 

Hope that the laptops work out too - that would be a brilliant saving. Have a great weekend 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Happy Birthday, that's a big milestone one.  I remember mine a few years ago and I found it a tricky one.
Car sounds great and that you got it just in time.
The laptops sound like an excellent idea, hope that goes through for you

crunchy_time

Evening all!

My childcare bill was £63 less than  I anticipated due to all the illness we have had so I have swiped that off my credit card.

Not sure if laptops are happening yet.  I have ordered a few more presents but nothing more until we know husband has been allocated the laptops.

Crunchy xx

crunchy_time

We have the laptops!!! Going to make donation to charity as that as the deal.

Husband also managed to get a swivel office chair so now the kids have one each. Hopefully they will spend more time at their desks now.

I did a significant chunk of Christmas shopping last night. I need to check what we have. A few more things I think to even it up.

Crunchy xx

crunchy_time

Morning all!

Christmas shopping just about done!! 

Laptops, games, books, socks, stationery for the kids. Husband and my stockings are looking a bit bare but that’s ok. Everything is useful. Can always add a bottle of wine each at the last minute. 

Taking the kids out to the garden centre today so they can spend their pocket money on a small gift for each other and us. 

Then we just have to wrap. 

Christmas plans are getting firmed up. Think we will be at home just us on the day - playing with the kids. Christmas Eve is when we will have our Christmas lunch. Boxing Day we are with family for a walk and car picnic. Maybe a few more family a friend get togethers other than that I am planning to hibernate, read and plan for 2022. And start running again. 

After Christmas we are planning a few diy projects mainly small painting jobs to finish off and painting furniture. We are also going to rearrange the living room to make it more spacious.

gosh I’m so boring aren’t I! I was talking to my hairdresser yesterday. She is 24and I am 40. She was going out last night to a friend to drink cocktails and playing drinking games. The thought of doing that now horrifies me. Gah! Been there and done that. 

2 weeks today it will all be over. Going to make the most of it.1 more week of school to go!

Trying not to look at the news!

Crunchy xx

WinterWarrior

Isn’t it lovely when Christmas presents are sorted 😁
Your Christmas plans sound lovely. I’m all about hibernation.

crunchy_time

Afternoon all,

The kids have bought their presents for each of us so thats it - I AM DONE!

Now just the wrapping to go.

I just had a look back at the beginning of this diary when I started it in  April 2020 just after the pandemic started.  The plan was to pay off the £18145 of the loan of which there was £5k of house stuff so taking that out - £13,145.

I've changed my signature to reflect this but yes, when we next get paid at the end of the month, we will have got rid of that £13,145 of consumer debt!  In about 20 months!  What an achievement!

There was also £3554 of interest that would have been added.  By overpaying some months and then refinancing to a cheaper loan, we have reduced the interest by £1237 which is also pretty awesome.  We can reduce it more  if we pay off this next lot earlier.

We are, of course, not finished yet but it will be good to reach the end of the year without that hangover of 2018 when I was unemployed, we had just moved to a bigger house and had more out payments than we have budgeted for.  HMRC had demanded lots of child benefits back, and I spent money trying to start a business I just wasn't interested in, I thought it was the best thing for our family but the best thing for our family is me being happy and I am now.

Very ready for my next level life now.  Roll on 2022.

Crunchy xx