Time for me to be debt free

Sarahwithlove

If you have cards that are charging interest and ones that are 0% then I would pay min on the 0% and overpay on other to save on interest.
Could you go to joint finances and then have a spending allowance each every month that can go on whatever you want. It might help you keep accountable for !!!!!! purchases or things for kids etc as sounds like you have been spending on stuff you don't need. Might help you reign it in a bit. 

Babybelles

Oh I’ve well & truly reigned in the spending 😄
We do have joint finances but we have our own personal spends as well. I don’t want to go to fully joint as I want to keep that financial independence. My debts are on the way down & I’ve already moved some more into 0% & some onto lower interest so I’m happy with the way things are going so far.

I used to shop a lot, partly because of the way I was brought up (shopping was the sociable thing to do with relatives unfortunately) & I enjoyed buying new things. However, over the last few years my shopping habits have massively changed & I prefer bringing less stuff in the house now. 

Thanks for the advice though.

Sarahwithlove

Glad you managed to find something that works for you. I used to be a major shopaholic thorough my 20s but it's something I've grown out of. For the most part. 

Great news about the 0% or low interest anything that can mean more of repayment goes on debt is great. 

Maybe try and have family time about exploring new places. Find new gardens or things to visit. Look at woodland areas or forests maybe? Parks etc. I've found filling by time and meeting for a walk much more fulfilling then shopping myself. Just make sure to take a picnic and drink with you as well. 

Babybelles

I’m glad you managed to sort out your shopping habits too. I still have the odd splurge but only what I can afford & things I love/need. I’m a big fan of Marie Kondo & through following her principles it made me feel very differently about the stuff I brought into the home so it’s been a life changer for me.

I don’t do the sociable shopping thing anymore, that stopped a couple of years ago thankfully.

Tbh I’m that busy with work, homeschooling & keeping on top of housework I don’t have the spare time to fill with shopping anymore 🤣 

Ooh we love exploring new places with the kids & dogs. Taking a picnic & drink sounds perfect 👌🏻 

Sarahwithlove

I've heard good things about her but never looked into her stuff. She's about minalism isn't she? I watched the recent documentaries on netflix by the two guys. I'm good at sorting stuff to get rid of just never seem to get round to selling it. Eventually I end up giving most of it to charity but even that's not really an option at the moment as they are all closed. 

Babybelles

It’s more about keeping things you love & discarding what you don’t rather than minimalism. For instance, if you love coats then you can have as many as you like as long as you love them all or they are useful. It has made me think differently about what I buy/keep & really has worked wonders for me, but I know her method isn’t for everyone.

I’ve watched the show you are referring to as well. It was food for thought but they are a wee bit drastic for me. I think it’s just finding that happy balance on having enough stuff you love/use around you but not being cluttered or swamped with too many things.

I regularly sell on eBay & normally give a couple of bags to charity each month, but I’m just storing things up ready for when they open again. I managed to get rid of a few bags of stuff before lockdown but its surprising how soon builds up again!

savingholmes

I'm looking forward to charity bag collections again - lots to shift.

Babybelles

Happy 1st March everyone! Hope you are all keeping well?

There’s not much going on debt wise as we decided to get on with some decorating we had discussed doing a while ago, so any ‘spare’ money ended up going on that rather than making more debt repayments.

I’ve still carried on eBaying as well as doing some surveys, so am planning on just letting those amounts build up & I will make extra repayments towards the debt at the end of the month.

In the next couple of months I need to spend a bit of money purchasing new plants for the garden & a couple of other garden related items, but other than that we don’t have any major purchases coming up so hopefully nothing of major value will need replacing or bought.

I’m hoping to have one of the cards paid off before the end of the year as I am using the avalanche method to get rid of that debt. It currently stands at £2,300 so I’ll be happy to see it paid off & the card closed down.

Take care & enjoy the sunshine!

Love B x