Sorting out the mess 'past me' got me in to, for a happier 'future me'

FOMO_overspender

Today has been a NSD that is three in total since payday and one for this week (aiming for two a week at least). Have weekly food shop coming tomorrow and then Friday should be another NSD. 

Managed to cash out again on Prolific, so as soon as that hits my PayPal I will put towards my loan. Also hoping to be able to OP more as make savings within my budget categories - but still early in the month so going to hold off until later to do that. 

DebbyInDebt

I just wanted to say how much I relate to your story, and spending for the fear of missing out and wanting to always be at the party or not turn down a meal out. I'm just starting my debt free journey after a good few years ignoring everything. It's really easy at the moment having no spend days and I need to make sure I keep that up when normal life resumes which is going to be a challenge as I'm gagging to go out.

FOMO_overspender

Thanks so much for your comment @DebbyInDebt and totally agree, the real test will deffo be when restrictions are all lifted. I am hoping though that by posting the diary and making good habits now (like saving in pots for bdays etc) that even if I don't go mad with debt busting, I will be realistic with my budget and not add to my debt. 

Will have to subscribe to your diary too - we can keep each other accountable! I hear you on wanting to go out 

FOMO_overspender

Just a quick update... had a spend say on Thursday as weekly food shop was delivered and another on Friday as got a takeaway (all budgeted for). However, had a NS weekend! Decided to over pay my loan by another £50 as food shopping is looking likely to be no more like £200 this month as have managed to book deliveries and planned out meals (originally budgeted £250). I also cashed out another £8 from Prolific and got a reward payment of £2 from my bank account, so an extra £10 I didn't have budgeted for at the beginning of the month.

So far my budget seems to be going well - enough to cover essentials and enough budgeted for treats like takeaways. Three weeks from pay day though so still being super careful. 

FOMO_overspender

Not lots to update but in the spirit of keeping myself accountable... yesterday was a spend day as needed to order some new moisturiser as was totally out. Managed to keep within my 'beauty/toiletries' budget, though, and avoid temptation to go mad buying lots of things. I have a habit of bulk buying things I like (e.g I ordered tonnes of the Lacura hot cloth cleanser when it came online at Aldi and I still have three full unused tubes left!) so trying to not go OTT and only bulk buy things when it makes sense. For example, instead of spending £8+ on two birthday cards this month from Papier, I spent £3 and got a pack of 10 birthday cards in my Tesco shop. Means I have cards for future and didn't overspend! Now that really is a big change for me - I would have NEVER thought to do that before now. 

I did have a question for any of the YNAB-ers out there... Should I be ignoring my 'Age of Money' whilst I am overpaying debts off?  I understand it makes sense to try and break from the payday to payday cycle, but as I am overpaying to my loan whenever I come under budget or make more £ on Prolific, I assume it means I won't build up a good 'age of money'? 

I am not so worried about it, as my goal really is to just debt bust, but after watching a few YouTube vids about it I interested to know if anyone cares about this whilst on their Debt Free Journey? 

Hope everyone is having a nice week so far! Today I am on track to have a NSD 

enthusiasticsaver

Some great budgeting going on.  I don't use YNAB but I am guessing Age of Money means amount you have in reserve and how long it will last?  In effect savings?  The general rule, once you have your emergency fund is you divert all spare money to debt so I would say you should ignore that Age of Money figure for now. 

FOMO_overspender

Thanks @enthusiasticsaver - just hoping it all sticks once 'normality' resumes. Sure it will do, this time has been a real eye opener on how much money I have spent on 'non essentials'. 

Yeah, that's what my gut is telling me. I am building up my EF and also pots for future spending (e.g. hygienist, Xmas etc) so I think for now whilst I am putting every saved towards debt I will definitely ignore it. Thank you! 

FOMO_overspender

OK so, not doing amazingly with NSDs this month. So far I am on a total of 6 x NSDs (had managed 10 by this time last month) however, I am still in budget for everything, so that's something. I think that might be the beauty of YNAB, is that at least I am not feeling guilty for spending where I have budgeted/planned for it. 

Have done well on surveys this month though - managed to cash out almost £35 this month and have another £5 on there at the moment, so that has all gone to the loan. Made another £45 overpayment today, which brings me to a total of £290 overpaid on that and means that next month I will be in the £18k. Nice to see that number go down ever other month - feels like making progress! 

Hope everyone has a nice weekend! 

Scloud

I've just caught up on your diary and I am looking forward to following your journey. I am in a very similar position at the start of a large mountain which was built up by FOMO and just not being willing to miss out or scrimp when it came to eating out, holidays, birthdays etc. I think for me the last 6 months of my journey have shown that I really need to ensure that I give myself enough money to keep up some of my old lifestyle otherwise I am just not going to stick to the budge when things get tough. 
You have made incredible progress! 

FOMO_overspender

Thanks @Scloud for reading through and the kind words - it's hard at times to feel like you are making progress when the numbers are so big, so I am breaking down in to £1k milestones to keep me motivated.  I will subscribe to your diary too - we can keep each other going!  
Update from me, managed to cash out another £11 from surveys, so paid that to my loan today. Had one more NSD and yesterday had my food shop delivered which should last until payday next week. So far all in budget, no debt added and I have overpaid. So a good month. Fingers crossed it stays that way until payday in 9 days!