Becoming obsessed....

EssexOstrich

Not sure where the last few months have gone. It's so much harder to be all MSE now the world is opening up again! I'm still hammering the overtime to overpay and making good progress but I def need to reign in the adhoc trips to Home Bargains and top up shops from the expensive little Sainsburys and Tesco's as I'm too lazy to go proper food shopping. The overtime is a bit of a double-edged sword, lovely to have it and to be able to make the overpayments but I also feel I have more money spare now and that makes me a lot lazier with shopping and takeaways, and I'm a bit worried I've become reliant on it so might need a bit of weaning at some point.  I also need to come back here more regularly to remind myself of where I was at, it's funny reading my earlier posts, it almost doesn't feel or sound like me!

So, balances left....
Loan1: £6000 - balance now £4419.72
Loan2: £3227.28 - balance now £1536.80
CC1: £9196.90 - balance now £5698.28
CC3: £2705.36 - balance now £791.50

Gone forever!!!
Loan3: £2592.47 - balance now £0
CC2: £2820.06 - balance now £0
CC4: £2338.03 - balance now £0
CC5: £556.59 - balance now £0
Storecard1: £234.61 - balance now £0
Very: £225.07 - balance now £0
Paypal Credit: £157.75 - balance now £0
Overdraft £2000 - £0

Total £31852.73 - now £12712.15 - 60.09%
Emergency fund: £2601

My 'hoped for' debt free date has gone from April 2025 to April 2024 to October 2023 to October 2022. The grand plan is to a) remember I have a grand plan, b) pay off CC3, then CC2, c) keep upping the savings/EF which makes my heart skip having never had any savings in my life. Weirdly, the savings are teaching me as much as the debt payments. I always thought if I had savings, or saved up to buy something, I'd feel better. Now I have savings I don't want to part with them so I'm happy to go without instead

Diet: let's not discuss it!

WinterWarrior

Amazing progress, what an inspiring update. You’ve done fabulously ⭐️🎉

EssexOstrich

Thank you @WinterWarrior  

June's update, debt total is £11227.58 which is 64.75% paid off. After a ridiculous amount of overtime I've now paid off CC3 leaving 2 loans and 1 big CC. The EF is up to £3100. My eye bags are huge and the family are neglected but it will soon be worth it.

This is the most overwhelmed I've felt since the first day I joined up and wrote all the balances down for the 12 debts totalling nearly £32000, that I'd spent years and years running up. I think it's because there are no quick wins left and I'm worried I won't feel the progress which is what's kept me going.

New goal - get the balance under £10k.

Aspiration

Sorry to hear you’re feeling overwhelmed EssexOstrich and can admit I’ve felt the same at times.

From an outsider looking in I just wanted to let you know it looks like you’ve made huge progress!! I get your point about no short cuts, but you’ve shown you can do it and we’re all here cheering you on and looking on with admiration! 

Aspiration 

EssexOstrich

Thanks @Aspiration I really appreciate that! Looking at your signature it looks like you’ve made amazing progress yourself, well done x

anjyeah

I have just started reading your thread and I am utterly amazed. Well done! For everything - the debt, your debt free date getting sooner and the new goal. Although I do feel like it is normal to feel overwhelmed but that only means we can start thinking of new goals whilst we go through each hurdle. Good luck!