Time to start a fresh.

BlueJ94

MrFrugalFever said:

jadewest94 said:

FootyFanDan said:

Sorry to read you have been feeling a bit meh, you have done amazing so far. I think we all want the debt gone and not impacting our lives, but you are progress and changes that will benefit you so much in the long term. I know it's hard at times but keep going you have got this!

Thank you! Obviously the debt won't vanish overnight.. I wish but I'm just demotivated, I think I need to re budget etc and go from there.

Thanks for the support

Hi Jade,

the biggest gains will almost always mean some of the biggest sacrifices will need to be made to get them.

when I moved house nearly 3 years ago, I was in a situation whereby I had a fluctuating salary (month to month) due to the nature of my job and a place I had to afford on my own. My sole mission was to reduce my bills and outgoings to as little as physically possible to give me maximum disposable income to pay the debts.

i have sacrificed things like;

- TV License
- No new phone (sim only contract)
- Broadband
- Electricity usage (heating only if absolutely essential, same with hot water - all electric property)
- Amazon Prime
- Breakdown cover
- Food shopping, this is where I have made the biggest savings
- General spending on stuff I DON’T need but want...

It’s tricky at first but you learn to live with it and realise the best things in life are free.

Thanks for the tips!

I'll double check my TV licence as we only ever watch YouTube and Netflix, no live TV.

My phone is available to upgrade now but I'm waiting until June to change to Sim only.

Broadand we need for the xbox etc.

I'll double check the rest later

Baileys_Babe

jadewest94 said:

Broadand we need for the xbox etc.

This is a want, not a need.

What would happen if you didn't have it? Nobody would die, they would probably be grumpy or angry.

BlueJ94

Baileys_Babe said:

jadewest94 said:

Broadand we need for the xbox etc.

This is a want, not a need.

What would happen if you didn't have it? Nobody would die, they would probably be grumpy or angry.

Well if we didn't have it we wouldn't be able to watch TV (Netflix and YouTube) This is one of the things I won't get rid of. I know it's not the end of the world if we did get rid but I would rather have it.

I will get rest of the others like prime etc

Baileys_Babe

jadewest94 said:

Baileys_Babe said:

jadewest94 said:

Broadand we need for the xbox etc.

This is a want, not a need.

What would happen if you didn't have it? Nobody would die, they would probably be grumpy or angry.

Well if we didn't have it we wouldn't be able to watch TV (Netflix and YouTube) This is one of the things I won't get rid of. I know it's not the end of the world if we did get rid but I would rather have it.

I will get rest of the others like prime etc

Excellent so you have made the decision that broadband is of high importance to your household. Like it is to many others, my own included - OH's employment, the children's education, our entertainment, managing our finances, keeping in touch with our friends and family etc.   
 
Now when doing your budget you know to give broadband a higher priority than other discretionary spends.

It would still be worth checking what you need from your broadband, does your current deal suit this or can you get the same or better for cheaper elsewhere?

Good luck with making the changes to clear the debt and staying debt free in the future.

BlueJ94

Baileys_Babe said:

jadewest94 said:

Baileys_Babe said:

jadewest94 said:

Broadand we need for the xbox etc.

This is a want, not a need.

What would happen if you didn't have it? Nobody would die, they would probably be grumpy or angry.

Well if we didn't have it we wouldn't be able to watch TV (Netflix and YouTube) This is one of the things I won't get rid of. I know it's not the end of the world if we did get rid but I would rather have it.

I will get rest of the others like prime etc

Excellent so you have made the decision that broadband is of high importance to your household. Like it is to many others, my own included - OH's employment, the children's education, our entertainment, managing our finances, keeping in touch with our friends and family etc.   
 
Now when doing your budget you know to give broadband a higher priority than other discretionary spends.

It would still be worth checking what you need from your broadband, does your current deal suit this or can you get the same or better for cheaper elsewhere?

Good luck with making the changes to clear the debt and staying debt free in the future.

Thank you! I will check this later this evening and see if I could get a better deal if not. 

Baileys_Babe

Good luck, in getting a better deal.

MrFrugalFever

I haven’t strictly given up broadband in a sense, I have in real terms but my alternative is a 100gb data allowance with 4g o2 network which I hotspot my phone to necessary devices and use that as a form of broadband. Sufficient for emails, web browsing, HD movie streaming and the occasional online game.

BlueJ94

Morning all

Day off work today and feeling 10x better than the other day. Going to help my friend decorate later this evening but first we're off to IKEA. I plan on buying a desk for my spare room so I have somewhere to sit whilst doing zooms etc. Probably get food there also as it's really cheap.

Catch up later all. 

BlueJ94

Evening all  

So, Vanquis asked for payment of £106 today and I was a little confused, long story short I rang them they assumed I was still on DMP as Pay plan never told them I stopped using them. I told them why etc so now awaiting a call/email from them to get a payment plan in place with them.

SO.. I thought to myself, If Pay plan hasn't told them, who else haven't they told? Turns out, all my CCs thought I was still using debt management companies I have now told them all I am self managing etc and they have all agreed to accept £30 Per month without any interest or charges added. RESULT! This has boosted my motivation that I much needed. 

So as follows;

Fluid - £30 pm 0% = OWED (£360.67)
Marbles ""              = OWED (£202.64)
Aqua     ""              = OWED (542.88)
Vanquis Awaiting a call/email to set up plan
Barclaycard = Minimum Payment each month 27.7% = OWED (£332.42) 

I plan to re budget this evening and set up DD for all loans so I don't miss any payments.

I plan to work out my Loans over the weekend and go from there. I personally think I have achieve a lot today even if it seems little to others! 

I also started my couch to 5k run again recently. 

Thanks all that have offered support so far. 

BlueJ94

This evening I have made a start on the spare room, ripped both wardrobes out and re arranged them. The spare room is full of mine and OH clothes and everything else in between. It's just a dumping ground and you usually can't see the floor. This evening you still can't see the floor but my desk now has its own space and the wardrobes are where I want them. I've set up the extra fish tank for myself to get a new fish. I really think we need to stop on fish tanks we have 8 in total and over 20 fish!!

Tomorrow I will go through all clothing and bedding and see whats charity, ebay or bin. I will also make a start on my loans and see what to do with them regarding interest etc 

Now time for a vodka and some food, night all