After years of debt journey through my sensible 40s... and save a deposit for a house

lantanna

Since I’m out of my isolation period I need to set myself Small goals to try and get into a better place. My mental health has been impacted big time by COVID and I’m really frustrated by not being able to do anything. Tomorrow my goal is to take 3 bags of rubbish to the dump. My Christmas tree is still up but I don’t have the energy to tackle it yet.

lantanna

I also need to get back on the protein shakes. Keep saying it but don’t do it. Can’t taste or smell anything. so tomorrow I will have one shake and take 3 bags to the dump. 

lantanna

Good news today, getting £225 back from my landlady after a dispute that had to go to TDS. Think I’ll put half on the Halifax cc and half to rate setter. Doing really well this month eating out of the freezer and cupboard. Going to try and continue with this until the end of Jan at least. 

lantanna

Payday has been and gone, got hit with a bill for a new tyre and call out today.  Eating out of the cupboards and fridge now in full force until I get this mot service over me. Heading out on Saturday for a few drinks, hoping to keep it to £80. That will be my only pleasure money this month. Every penny is accounted for getting ready for mot.

lantanna

Car Service today, so I will find out how much that this later.  Fingers crossed. 

Ive prioritized getting my patio extended this year and buying a shed.  Booked to get the Patio done first week of April.  Really looking forward to getting it done.  Shed to follow. Then a lawnmower!  Then hopefully there wont be any big garden costs for the next couple of years. 

Off to Tenerife in March and its been paid for, half board so Im planning on it being a cheap week.  Just have to stay out of the Duty Free that always gets me!  Need to work out a budget before I go, likely to be £400 max. 

Moved some of the Halifax balance to a 0% Capital One Card so thats been a bit of progress. 

Hopefully will be able to do another balance transfer by the end of the year. 

Eating out of the cupboards and freezer now until the 20th - I actually really enjoy doing this as it provides a good opportunity to run things down. 

Got my botox and filler done last week - parked on credit card until payday.  With losing a lot of weight Im really seeing the wrinkles come in now so this was something I was willing to fall behind on.  

lantanna

Debt Update 

Halifax Credit Card £2443 
Halifax Credit Card £1646
Capital One Credit Card £450 0% 
Virgin Credit Card £4500 0%
118 Travel Card £750 (Has botox and fillers on it) 
Capital One Petrol Credit Card £700
Ratesetter £5530 Now 10 % paid off total 
Creation (Bed) £733.28 

Current Total:  £16752

lantanna

Im going to set myself a realistic target for the end of the year of £13000. 

I think thats achievable with all the garden work and house stuff that needs paid for this year.
Priority is still the Halifax Credit Card.  

lantanna

Going to report on my debt as a total just before payday (this now includes all the garden work I am paying out for this spring).  
Hopefully this will motivate me as I watch it come down each month as opposed to seeing £50 here and there. 

So total debt is currently £23,990. 

Year End Target:  £19850 

I want to be debt free by the time I come to remortgage at the end of my current 5 year term in 4.5 years.  In fact not I want to be I need to be!! 

Looking forward to documenting my progress on here. 

I really need to tighten up again on any frittering away of money and my food waste. 

lantanna

Made a £10 payment towards debt today, payday on Monday. Going to have a no spend weekend. Plenty of housework to be done to keep me out of the shops. Got a few casual hours tomorrow so that will be good to chuck at the debt

lantanna

Month end figures done today, I get paid on the 20th and off to Tenerife on Saturday. 

Down from £23941 to £23647.  Its a start!

Hopefully be in £22K soon over the next couple of months.