A Year To Clear

soulmate19

Well, where to start? I’ve managed to get myself in a mess, again.  Not the first time I’ve gone down this road but absolutely definitely the last time.   I’m going to use this diary to hold myself accountable and try and work out why I keep doing this to myself and worse, my kids. I think in trying to give them more they’re actually getting less if that makes sense.  I am Terrible at impulse buying, usually emotions are involved.  I currently owe approximately £11k but will post a soa later.  Lbm today has really hit home today as my dog seems a bit off colour and I’m really hoping she doesn’t need the vet as I can’t afford to take her, I’ll have to borrow the money off my mum but I will feel bad doing that as I should have some savings but I’ve got myself into such a mess there’s never anything left.  

I’m hoping to move house in a year so my plan is to clear as much debt as possible in a year starting today 

shellslife

Good luck Soulmate and I hope your dog is ok x

soulmate19

Thank you shellslife 

Well day one of debt busting done.  Maybe I should consider it life busting, so much I want to change.  Spent £33.97 in Sainsbobs which in all fairness I probably didn’t need any of.  Bought 3 new battery powered toothbrushes for the kids and some snacks for the evening for them as was working and the older one had to babysit the younger one but really if I had been better organised I could have provided snacks with whatever we already had and then wouldn’t have been drawn in by the toothbrushes! 

   Tomorrow should be a NSD as I don’t need anything and we are going out for our dinner.  Am feeling impatient with wanting to start making over payments but just don’t have any spare money which is bad seeing as I only got paid yesterday.   Am going to see if there’s any overtime available at work over the next few weeks.  

ceremony

Good luck to you! Hope the dog is picking up today.

If you're short on money already then it's definitely worth looking at all your bills and seeing what you can cut down. Now you've had your LBM and aren't borrowing any more you can start making progress... remember slow and steady is still progress!

Have you tried a snowball calculator to see what the most efficient way of clearing what you have is?

soulmate19

Thank you ceremony.  

Unfortunately my first week of debt busting has been a huge failure. After writing my last post my lovely dog passed away and I am heartbroken.  I now have a Large vet bill  and I have spent outrageously on things that I would never have usually, namely branded clothes for the kids.  Admittedly they did need some, as much as I bought - no, had I budgeted and saved for them - no, could I afford them - no.   I think these were emotional spends as my eating has completely spiralled out of control too.   Now the shock has worn off I’m feeling much more determined to start clearing the debts.  I have signed up for overtime at work and hope to clear an extra £400 this month.  I’ve decided that as soon as I get my wage slip I will allocate every penny of overtime to debt and pay it first thing on pay day.  Tomorrow morning I’m going to sit and complete a soa and start to make Some lists.  

I can and will clear this debt that’s hung over me my entire adult life.  

blue_eyed_girl123

Sorry to hear about your dog, give yourself some time to grieve and gather your thoughts. You will get there 😊

soulmate19

Thank you blue_eyed_girl123.  It’s really taking some getting used to being without her. 

Spent £22 on diesel, £9 on a new washing line and £6.38 on dinner and lunch bits for tomorrow at the local shop.  Tomorrow should be a NSD as we really don’t need anything.  

Lots of annoying little things I need to do tomorrow, so here’s my list ........

1) contact CSA and find about about putting in a claim from my daughters dad.  

2) ring tv license and sort out a new direct debit
3) ring and try to get a better deal on my broadband, if not cancel and find a better provider 
4) phone dental helpline and see which dentists might be taking on NHS patients.  

5) drop divorce papers into solicitors
6) try and organise some counselling for DD

have another couple of hours overtime tomorrow added onto my shift, 2 hours here and there will hopefully soon add up. I also have a sealed tin that i have put odd coins in over the past year, I’m tempted to open it and pay it off a credit card - I’ve no idea how much could be in it, I’d hope maybe £35?   

soulmate19

I am feeling very despondent today.  I’ve just read some other  diarys and I don’t feel like I’m doing anywhere near as good as anyone else. I know I shouldn’t compare but I want to be free of this debt.  I feel as if I have no life almost, I’m absolutely exhausted every day and the girls and I aren’t spending any quality time together.  The minute I sit down I fall asleep because I’m so tired.  I need to find a better work/life balance.  I’ve got a week off work at the end of the month and I’m going to use it to rejuvenate.  I need to speak to my partner about how to balance out seeing him and how much longer we can go on like this. 

Didn’t manage to do anything on yesterday’s list so I’m carrying it over to today with some extras thrown in.  So today’s plan is this - 

-work
-visit with partner (instead of sitting and falling asleep on him I’m going to suggest a walk)
-DD haircut
-list of phone calls from yesterday 
- tidy and clean kitchen and my bedroom  
- find someone with a step ladder I can borrow for tomorrow (can’t get bathrooms light bulb out to change it) 

- at least 2 x washing 

- have an early night and get some sleep 

this is a very moany, self pitying post.  There’s nothing financially I can do right now. Hopefully I’ll feel better if I can get some sleep later.