Turning Debt Darkness Into Power

DarknessIntoPower

Finally finished studying and I feel free! Prepped some meals yesterday thanks to the trusty slow cooker, and I intend to do that more as I've been far too reliant on pre prepped food instead of fresh. On a bit of a health kick as I've not been feeling great recently. Did some self employment bits and bobs yesterday and am hoping for another productive today, I'd like to finish one of my OpenLearn courses today and upload the next batch of items to Depop, then do some cleaning.

DarknessIntoPower

A good week so far, 5 items sold on Depop and a return packaged back up ready to go to the post office tomorrow. Lots of Overtime available so whilst I've been a bit naughty by spending too much money on food this month, I feel like this makes up for it.

DebbyInDebt

Hi, Just reading through your diary. I'm also terrible at saving, like the worst. I really like your approach of being realistic about and knowing you can have goals but you're allowing for your spending habit. i tend to tell myself I'm going to be super strict and frugal and then end up not sticking to it fully and then feeling really hopeless and give up. 

DarknessIntoPower

DebbyInDebt said:

Hi, Just reading through your diary. I'm also terrible at saving, like the worst. I really like your approach of being realistic about and knowing you can have goals but you're allowing for your spending habit. i tend to tell myself I'm going to be super strict and frugal and then end up not sticking to it fully and then feeling really hopeless and give up. 

Hi Debby, thanks for commenting! Yep I always tried that too but then ended up going on a spending spree because I was restricting myself too much. I've found that the 50/50 method plus rounding up is really working for me right now, because even if it means the savings are a bit slower, they're staying in the account and I'm not dipping into that savings pot, and that's what's really important.

I've not hit the 1k goal for the end of May like I'd hoped, but that's fine as I know I'll hit that this month, and thankfully there's quite a bit of overtime available at work right now so I'm doing as much of that as possible.  

DarknessIntoPower

Did a little food shop yesterday and went to the post office, spent nearly £20 posting 5 parcels, ouch! That's most of my budget gone for the remainder of the month. 1 week until payday so it's just a case of plodding on until then. The plan today is to complete a 6 month plan as we near the middle of the year, and to have another look around and clear out anything too tattered, or anything that I can sell.

DarknessIntoPower

Savings total 11/6/20 £585.36

Savings total 12/6/20 £1000

Goal by 14/7/20 £1500

I intend to not cash out from Opinion Outpost & Qmee until my next payday, so I know exactly how much I've made on those for the month. Currently I have 13p in my Qmee account and 40 points on Opinion Outpost. There are refunds due from easyJet and Urban Outfitters. Lets do this!

DarknessIntoPower

Good morning, posting less frequently now as busy with work. I've been a bit of a reckless spender over the past few weeks so I definitely need to calm down and re-evaluate my choices before next payday. Went through next month's budget last night and crossed out anything that's not necessary right now. My biggest problem is spending on food though, particularly takeaways, does anyone have any tips to help with this?

DarknessIntoPower

Back after a two year break, I hope it's okay to revive this post. I've since moved and due to the cost of living & COVID I've been paying off my debts with only token payments. My goal right now is to save up £1500 for moving in case my landlord decides to not renew my contract in November. £2000 would be more ideal but I'm trying to be realistic and even £1500 is a stretch. I've set up a savings account and have £350 so far, I have Monzo roundups turned on and my goal for this month is to hit £500. Problem is that I do dip in, I can be bad with money when my mental health shoots up or down, so I'm trying to work on that and to reduce my spending. 

DarknessIntoPower

I've cancelled my phone contract so that'll end at the end of the month, going SIM only so saving £40 a month by doing that. I hope that once I have an emergency fund built up (& fingers crossed my landlord lets me renew) then I'll start a new pot for full and final settlements

DarknessIntoPower

My debt to creditors is currently at £9500 and I'm on a DMP with PayPlan. I expect to take on more debt soon as a friend may lend me some money for dental treatment, but that'll be paid off with my January bonus.

Today's spending was just £5 (rounded up) for a book.

My goals for the month are as follows: 
• 10 no spend days

• Exercising 3 days a week or more
• Stay within my budget for food and toiletries (my most difficult thing) 
• Buy no books, house things or clothing etc. unless strictly necessary (need some coat hangers)
• Work with the dentist to figure out a plan and how much things will cost