Paddington's Debt Free Journey

Paddington75

Well I planted my bulbs, but I'm no gardener so wouldn't be at all surprised if nothing actually happens with them!  Not much else to report, no more debt repayments until about the 15th of this month so just trying to keep plodding along until then.  Hate the in between time waiting for more payments to go out!

Paddington75

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a lovely day so far.  The sun is shining here but still a bit chilly.  Think I should have waited a bit longer to plant my bulbs as it's been getting into the minus figures overnight, not by much but probably enough to upset the bulbs.  I wonder if it's still a little on the cold side but like I said previously I'm no gardener.  They did say they could be planted between March and May so hopefully will be ok. 

I've taken the decision to lower my one credit card payment per month.  I was paying quite a bit over because I really wanted to be debt free by the end of this year ideally, however I've now come to the conclusion I'm probably going to be stretching things a little tight trying to keep up with the payments I'm making at the moment.  As the card is on 0% until 1 May 2022, I've worked out how much I need to pay to make sure it's cleared before the 0% runs out and have reduced the payment accordingly.  I've also reduced my water payment each month as I looked at my account online and was just over £400.00 in credit!  Since I can't get a refund until after the next bill has been produced in April I reduced the direct debit payments instead.  They were taking £44.00 per month (goodness knows why as there are only two of us!) and it will now be £21.50.  Once the bill in April has been produced I will see how much in credit I am and I should then be able to get a refund.  This will go towards my emergency/kitchen fund.

Paddington75

Hi everyone, well one payment has come out so far this month, being a payment of £200.00 to one of the credit cards.  Total now paid so far is £952.00 out of £6,680.00.  After the other two payments have come out this month I will have paid £1,154.00 towards my debts.

Had a quick peek at my bulbs yesterday and I think I see something starting to poke through in one of the containers that I planted so fingers crossed some more will come up, otherwise he's going to be pretty lonely on his own!  Patiently waiting for Easter so so I can have a lovely four day weekend!

Paddington75

Hi everyone, been a while since I posted last.  Another direct debit has come out today, so far have paid £1,154.00 off my total debt.  That's the plus side!  On the negative side bad money management this month has meant I've had to borrow a bit back from my emergency fund so that's gone down to £1,400.00 at the moment.  Payday on Wednesday though so will be able to put the money back into that account.  I'm determined in April my food budget is going to be under instead of over - I've set myself a couple of mini challenges so let's see if I stick to them!

Paddington75

Bit early in the morning for me but can't sleep.  Payday today so I've transferred funds back over to the savings account that I "borrowed", so that's back up to £1725.00 now.  I've also transferred £125.00 over to my "spending money" account and the usual amount over to the food budget account, so everything left in my normal current account now should cover all my usual bills and credit card payments, with hopefully about £44.00 to spare.  I'd love to have money left over in each of those accounts at the end of April so let's see how that goes!

BlueJ94

Long time sorry for not posting! I've been following along though, you're doing so well! You'll be debt free in no time!! 

Sarahwithlove

What did you over spend on? Is it likely to happen again? If so may be worth considering upping your budget or allowing catgeories to roll over so if you have money left in spends or food budget just carry it forward. It's what I have started to do and found it helps 

Paddington75

jadewest94 said:

Long time sorry for not posting! I've been following along though, you're doing so well! You'll be debt free in no time!! 

Hi
Yes, I'm getting there slowly.  Still on track to be debt free next year although a little later than I had hoped as we need to do some home improvements so trying to save for those at the same time!  Will pop over to your diary shortly to see how you're doing

Paddington75

Sarahwithlove said:

What did you over spend on? Is it likely to happen again? If so may be worth considering upping your budget or allowing catgeories to roll over so if you have money left in spends or food budget just carry it forward. It's what I have started to do and found it helps 

Hi, my food shopping for March was ridiculous, plus I was off work for a week at the beginning of March and always seem to end up spending more when I'm off!  To be fair most of the overspending was on things for the house and garden rather than myself (plants and plant pots mainly) so I don't feel too guilty about it, just annoyed that I spent too much.  I "borrowed" it temporarily from my emergency/home improvements fund and I've put the money back in there now so all good.  

Food budget wise this month I've got a smallish Tesco delivery coming on Tuesday and I'm planning on going to Aldi tomorrow to get a few bits.  I have some stuff in the freezer already so I shouldn't need too much more after that, just fresh fruit and bread etc.

Paddington75

Well I did my mini food shop at Aldi this morning, wasn't able to get too much as I can't carry too much home but I would say I've got about a week's worth of meals (that's for two of us).  Spent just over £27.00 so quite pleased with that.  Just need to wait for my Tesco delivery tomorrow evening then I can plan my meals for the next couple of weeks and make sure I'm organised.  I found a magnetic whiteboard that I'd forgotten I had which I've stuck on the fridge to use as a meal planner.  I'm determined to try and be £50.00 under on my food budget this month!