Happier Nat's debt free diary

natlie

Hello,

what a beautiful day. Great for line drying.

Update on last post, Hubbie got into Uni woo hoo, huge news for us as this means additional income and Council Tax discount, as well as my husband who has been a stay at home dad since 2009 getting back to life after depression (or with better managed depression) 

no news on my promotion in work, though my team is growing. I did have some back pay and an incremental pay rise for last year which has been great.

my biggest news is that MBN* have cleared the £4,100 debt I owed them as a gesture of goodwill after they made a mistake on my account last year? They’ve also removed the default from my credit report which is great because it was the last one I had a year after the others. 

My debt is now £12k and due to be paid off in July 2024 

cost of living sucks, I’ve put a £1000 into an account as an emergency months rent just in case. We are trying to better manage things like laundry, the kids pull a towel out for everything and wear a different outfit every time they go out so that causes loads if unnecessary washing.

trying to meal plan better but feel like I am still not organised with it.

Ive been struggling the last month after having Covid, I coughed up some blood but chest X-ray was clear, now having thyroid function tests as my neck has swollen up though Dr says it’s unrelated but I’ve never had thyroid issues before. 

Parkyp

Well done hubby. 

I don’t think doctors know how many illnesses are the results of having covid. Hopefully you get some answers. 

Great news from mbna.
It’s sunny here but still cold. Enjoy your day 

natlie

Hi

It's been a long time since I last updated (again) debt is below £12k now, my FD Loan has been moved to HS*C Collections Dept so waiting to hear back on what they want me to do re. payments, they asked for the full amount initially.

Update on my health issue above, it passed must have been an infection. 

I've been working on a restructure for my team since Dec. 2020 that is finally almost all in place and came with a pay rise for the majority of my team, amazing! so I can finally get off the UC! hooray

In spite of the new pay I will still be living by my budget, I need to sort out a few bits with the house but mostly I need to save some money now as an emergency fund. I will leave SC run its course instead of making a lot of overpayments as my credit file is messed up until 2026 

Nat
 

natlie

Hi
FD added a default to my account today, I had hoped my file would be default free by 2026 a bit gutted about that.

Im currently trying to stretch out my last £23 to pay day on Thursday, should be ok. It’s annoying because I am owed £274.50 for a job and they are 3 days overdue in paying it.

I am being very good at listing things for sale but items are not selling, might need to do a car boot sale if I can fine one on a nice day.

my son has a qui chicken pox, he was supposed to be going in a school trip for the weekend and it’s cost a fortune plus extras like a new sleeping bag I am hoping he can still go if he is better by Friday 

nat

Parkyp

Hi Nat, can you appeal the date of your default to when you first told them your were having difficulty. 

Did you boy manage to get to go on his school trip. 

Enjoy your weekend. 

natlie

Hi

Thanks Parkyp yes my son managed to go on his trip and he had a great time! 

I am finding it harder these days to manage the budget, with all the food and bills increasing. The water bill has gone up £20 a month, waiting for energy increases and food  I am glad the weather has continued to be fine, we are still line drying clothes and the heating won't go on for a good while yet. I have downgraded my gym membership and my Netflix. 

My daughter is struggling too and I am trying my best to help her out but her !!!!!! at work vary from 12 hours to 44 and the inconsistency is proving difficult for her 

I have been meal prepping this weekend made a veggie lasagne, chilli, 2 soups and millionaires shortbread form things that were already in the house. 

My husband started Uni tomorrow and I am looking forward to everyone being in some sort of routine.

This week I need to claim some mileage I forgot about and I have a lot on at work. I need to finish reading my book before the next one arrives and I am selling clothes and shoes for my daughter so need to list everything.


Today I am going to have a look through my cookbook to see if i can prep any other meals and finish the laundry 

Nat 

natlie

After this months payment I am going to bu sub £10k on my debt and I’m so excited for it (not as excited as I am for sub £1k but that’s about 16 months off yet) I am enjoying seeing the debt go down knowing in 19 months I will be getting that £496 back every month.

work are currently discussing our pay increases but I don’t know if I’ll be eligible because I had a pay rise in May so we’ll see with that one. Everything helps at the moment. 

So far our bills all seem to be increasing
gas and electricity £195-£231
water £49 to £64.50 (I am sure they measure the meters after the summer holiday on purpose)

I’ve already cut down a few things next thing to do is Council Tax because my husband is now a full time student so I should get £50 discount per month for being the sole person eligible.

I’ve just got back into reading which I’ve really been enjoying. I’ve rejoined my book club too.

we are just settling into our new weekly schedules, need to be more organised with bus money for the kids.

this weekend I’m going to be cleaning a lot, my oddbox arrived yesterday so I am going to make some food for the week, there’s a load of soup in the freezer so might have that for lunch 

I also want to sign hubby up for all the student discount website for Christmas savings as we’ve started putting things away, Vjnted has been helping up make a bit of extra cash for this 

Nat

natlie

I am trying something new with my shopping this month and I have filled my freezer and store cupboard as well as bulk buying some things to last the month cost was £99 Tesco, £89 Aldi and £124 on Amazon £312 which is a lot lower than my usual monthly shop. 

natlie

Hi
hope everyone is well, this time of year can be hard with the miserable weather, cold homes, cold and flu and dark nights.

im taking solace in comfort food, chai tea, blankets and candles 

I’m ok, dealing with a few things, I’ve been poorly with a bad cold for a couple of weeks. my mum has recently been diagnosed with stage 3c cancer and Christmas is coming which is an expensive time of year. 

I am struggling financially already this month I have £200 to last until the end of the month after bills and food/fuel. I have a lot of food in the house and we can use the local pantry to top us weekly at £5 a shop

my next two weeks at work are really busy, it’s making me feel really stressed. I’ve juggled my calendar as much as possible. 

This weekend I am focussing on some Christmas prep, I’m making homemade pickles and preserves as gifts and for us. I am cleaning and doing some batch cooking as I will be late home some evenings. 

I am looking out for some things to sell, though that seems harder now that I’ve almost sold everything that I didn’t want 

Later I am going to go through my banking again to make sure everything is in order and see if I can eek out some extra pennies and I’m going to cancel some coffees with friends as I can’t afford socialising this month

I’m good news my DMP is at almost 9k it feels like the end is in sight though I still have 18 months to go, I’m hoping sometime soon things will balance out a bit better so that I can make some additional payments and clear this by December next year 

Have a good weekend everyone
Nat

Parkyp

Hi Nat

Sorry to hear of your mums illness, you must be terribly worried.

Money definitely doesn’t cover as much shopping as it used to.  Batch cooking is great way to go so you have something ready and easy to heat when your late home from work. 

You have done amazing to get your debt done to £9k, I bet when you started you couldn’t see yourself in that position. 

Enjoy your Sunday.