Final steps to debt freedom

gymgirl11

Sarahwithlove said:

I'd wait until nearer the time. But I also would ask for cash rather than vouchers in case they go out of business which could very well happen if things don't start improving quickly. 

Yes, it seems like the sensible option! I think I just worry and overthink it all. I've checked online and I think they offer a voucher to begin with and then you have to fill out their refund form, quoting the voucher number and all your other details, in order to get a refund. It seems long winded.

Hoping that's not the case and they manage to survive. When Thomas Cook went bust we had a holiday booked with them 1 week later (obviously it got cancelled straight away but as we paid via DD we got the money refunded)  so we know a thing or two about that happening! 

Sarahwithlove

Not sure how it would work if it's a voucher though whether you can get the money refunded I think they just become null and void. I would just push for a refund rather than voucher and be firm about it. Quote Martin Lewis and say he said you have to give me a cash refund as he has said it many times on his shows. 

gymgirl11

Sarahwithlove said:

Not sure how it would work if it's a voucher though whether you can get the money refunded I think they just become null and void. I would just push for a refund rather than voucher and be firm about it. Quote Martin Lewis and say he said you have to give me a cash refund as he has said it many times on his shows. 

Yes, thank you for the advice I think it’ll be something I need to look into properly. When I read it on the Tui website I’m sure it says that they issue you with the voucher first and then it says you fill in the form to get a refund quoting your voucher code. Maybe I’ve mis-read it. I may have to go back and have a re-read as I definitely don’t want a voucher!

gymgirl11

I managed to get an early Sainsbury's slot for this week so that came at 9am this morning. It came to £71.56, however, this includes more toiletries and a nice meal & bottle or alcohol for Valentine's Day. We traditionally go out to dinner on this day but obviously not this year!

This leaves us with £41 shopping budget for next week. This should be manageable as we aren't buying lots of stuff as we are having the kitchen done. I've managed to borrow a mini fridge and a microwave from my sister so we have a few options to do food. I have a budget of £50 to order takeaway stuff as at some point during the week we're probably going to want some food that doesn't include beans on toast or tomato soup! 

gymgirl11

Had a nice lie in this morning and woke up to some flowers, a heart shaped balloons, chocolates, a candle and some new PJs, which is nice. At the start of the month I said that I’m happy to just do cards this year, however, my partner wanted to do flowers and he got me a few more bits along the way which is very nice and very thoughtful of him  

Not much happening at the moment on the money front. I haven’t had any more surveys this week and have no plans to spend any money from now until the kitchen has been completed. We’ll need to get some new blinds (we’ve had an empty window for over a year) and then some new cooking trays as ours have seen better days!

gymgirl11

I spent £11.49 online at WHSmiths. I needed two more ring binders to store all the house paperwork. I sorted it all out on Friday (only took 3 hours!) but as the ring binders are thinner versions I can’t get all the paperwork in and I don’t want it to be too big and bulky. Also ordered 8 free samples for some roller blinds material we are looking to get in the kitchen. 

gymgirl11

Morning I don't lead an exciting lockdown life so not much to report on! I'm having a bit of a work break as I'm a bit frazzled recently.

My audible free trial comes to an end tomorrow and we have decided to keep it. We are currently listening to a book series and for £7.99 we will get 1 credit a month to buy a book that is £18 (4 more in the series) not sure why buying them is so expensive.

I will pay for it this month and then I will shift the £7.99 cost to the joint account. I should probably do an updated SOA but trying to figure out if it's worth it or not. It might look a bit confusing as we're a joint income household but I'm the only one paying off the debt as it was something I previously accumulated before entering this relationship.

gymgirl11

Afternoon all, been absent for a few days as been doing a lot of cleaning and kitchen prep. We're on day 2 of our kitchen remodel now, yesterday was a little unbearable with all the noise but it's been a lot quieter this morning.

Due to Boris' announcement our May holiday abroad will definitely be cancelled. We were due to fly out on the 15th May but all holidays from England with Tui have been cancelled up to and including the 16th May so hopefully we'll get our money back once the time comes.

There isn't much else to say really. Pay day for me on Thursday and our Eon bill is quite high this month (£110) so need to look at that. It's probably my fault due to having really poor circulation and being cold pretty all the time plus throw in working from home on top! 

gymgirl11

Hello all. It feels very quiet on these parts lately? I feel like the majority of people are similar to myself and are just busy with everyday life and been trying to carry on until payday.

Payday has come and gone in our household. This month I've had to budget to pay for car insurance (£461 - paid annually and out of the savings) and a few bits and bobs we needed for the kitchen (£100 on food top up plus different bits for the kitchen and living room), I have therefore managed to add £600 back into our savings account so they are up to £2,000 now. Our goal for the end of the year was £5,000 but I may move this target to be £7,000 as it looks like we'll be able to save £500 as a fixed amount and then top this up by anything between £150-£300.

I've also budgeted a bit more money for both of us. Moving forward we'll both have £50 extra so £500 a month. I'm looking to use at least half of this to go towards a CC overpayment.

gymgirl11

Happy March! it’s been busy here with the kitchen being done and working throughout the day and trying to keep the kitchen bits at bay and the house clean but bits are starting to appear everywhere. 

I’m still waiting for some direct debits to go out before I’ll know what I have left for the month. I’m waiting for my phone (£36.69), B Credit Card (£150), my charity donation (£10), audible (£7.99) and iCloud (0.79p) to leave my account. My last direct debit goes out on the 10.03.21 so it puts me off spending until then.