Is there anyone out there...?

Toni'sfriend

I've never really liked exercise even when I was young so I can understand how you can't get into home workouts. I like walking (nothing strenuous but I can walk a fair distance) but it's not really possible just at the moment because of the weather. It is good for mental health though (so I'm told and I think it's true). Once your ankle gets better and you can get out you might find it makes a big difference.

Have you looked at the monthly NST challenge on the DFW forum on here. It's good fun and you'll get lots of support and advice. And I agree with @findingthisdifficult Keep on plodding and the 0% offers will start coming. At one time I thought I could never get out of the hole I had dug for myself but you will get there. There will be bumps along the way but that's what we're here for - support to keep you going.

Are you working?

lindsaygalaxy

In your budget have you started a savings/emergency fund? I know this may sound strange when you are paying off your debt, but it will save you from adding on more debt at some point. 

Honeysucklelou2

Well done on having a plan sorted out. I am also getting debts sorted out post separation and to get myself in the best possible financial  position for when the consent order finally gets sorted. I’ve found listing debts in a notebook each month and physically seeing the figures going down to be helpful as is having a 100 square for each debt and marking off 1% each time its paid off. I also use an app -debt manager- which has a few more handy visual pointers which all help to motivate to keep going!

MrDFby40

Feeling positive this afternoon, finally got to see my support bubble mate last night after not seeing him for a while, pizzas and beer from Aldi were on the cards and no hangover! I bought the bits within my shopping budget so happy days! Feel much better for having seen a person on a social level.  Not a lot going on today but have cleaned by house from top to bottom, which doesn't take long as I don't make much mess, changed my sheets and made my lunches/work snacks for the next three days.  Tonight will shower, Netflix and get an early night as my ankle kept me up most of last night

@findingthisdifficult - thanks for the advice on the credit club, I will 100% be taking a look at that shortly.
@Toni'sfriend - I am working, I have been working from home but have had cause to go into the office for the past week, and will be for the next few weeks as well which is good for my mental health, but not so good for my petrol budget! It's only 14 miles each way but I was hoping to save some of my budgeted amount.  Although I'd rather spend all my petrol budget than not see anyone during the week! I feel for people that live alone and work from home permanently.  I haven't looked at the NST challenge, I'll do a search for it and take a look!
@lindsaygalaxy - I haven't got an emergency fund budgeted, I have thought about it a number of times but I live in a rented house with all white goods and appliances supplied and I have a maintained and insured company car that I only pay for my fuel, so I'm not sure what else might come up?  Everything else I bought new when I moved in so is only 6 months old.  In the budget for the house my ex-wife lives in there is an emergency fund and clothing for the boys etc, that that side of things is taken care of.  I have a realistic budget for each area, so perhaps when I haven't spent something within a budget area I should sweep the remainder into an emergency fund rather than paying it off a debt? I am 100% up for opinions on this.  
@Honeysucklelou2 - I did have a physical notebook with everything listed in but my working life is based around spreadsheets and so I find it easier to use this now.  Although I like the idea of colouring the squares in a grid in, to have something visual like that would be really inspiring I think!

Thank you all for all your comments and for dropping by, it really does mean a lot to me and inspires me to keep this up.  I'm off to look at the credit club, happy Sunday!

MrDFby40

@findingthisdifficult - I can't thank you enough! I just searched up the credit club and was accepted for a Virgin money 0% balance transfer for 24 months! It's only for £3400 but I have transferred that from the Tesco Card.  I can close off the Next Directory in the next couple of months so I am keen to do that one myself.  Once it's gone through I will update my signature and re-snowball. It's not a lot in the grand scheme of my balances but every little helps.  I'm absolutely buzzing now

Toni'sfriend

Brilliant news on the balance transfer. Honestly, it's such a boost to see the balance decrease and not be paying any interest. You may be offered more as time goes on. Go for it. You can do this, trust me!

My son has been working from home for the last year (almost). He quite likes doing it but it doesn't suit everyone. He's always been an online sort of person. Although he did say that he is really missing the amazing cakes that one of his co-workers baked and the Japanese katsu curry that they went for on Fridays.

What I am really missing is going on holiday. I had for the last few years been achieving my ambition of travelling across Europe by train but that's gone for the time being. Still I'm saving the money and who knows one day I might get on the Orient Express. We live in hope.

MrDFby40

I miss holidays too.  Although my ex-wife didn't really like to travel and always went along un-enthusiastically with whatever I booked.  With hindsight I probably should have taken a leaf out of her book and not spent on holidays when we clearly couldn't afford it!  I just wanted the boys to visit lots of places, I didn't go abroad until I was 18 and really didn't want that for them.  But still, by the time this (COVID) is cleared up, as will my debts be and we can get back to enjoying the sun or the snow with a clear conscience.  And it will be all the more enjoyable knowing it's paid for in the right way!

Your train travel plans sound amazing, I love trains so much.  The Orient Express is a dream to me! I wonder if holidays will become more expensive on the other side of this due to supply and demand?  As soon as we're allowed people will be jumping on planes and trains all over the place!

MrFrugalFever

Hi, 

sorry to hear of your circumstances but it sounds like you are being proactive about it.

when I moved out of my last place to live on my own I suddenly went from paying £700 per month in bills etc to £1,200pm, on just my sole income.

i have made it my challenge to get that down to as little as possible and maximise my income. This lockdown business has given me oodles of time to research and ultimately change my entire mindset to how I manage my money. 

A tip from me is set yourself a target of wha5 you’d like your entire monthly spending to come down to (not inclusive of debt repayments) and look at every direct debit/standing order bill you have to pay. Is it necessary? Can you live without? Can you contact the company and negotiate a discount?

i have even managed to negotiate £2 a month loyalty discount with o2 mobile network, to me every penny and pound counts.

good luck and keep us informed,

n/b I have lots of money saving tips from experience

Toni'sfriend

Re an emergency fund. I'm in a similar position as far as renting is concerned but I save a little £20 a month just in case. It's handy when you need light bulbs, batteries, etc.

My train trips were a huge adventure. I loved them and half the fun was in planning the itinerary and booking the trains and hotels. I'm still looking and planning. Still got a few ideas. It keeps me going because this has got to end eventually.

findingthisdifficult

MrDFby40 said:

@findingthisdifficult - I can't thank you enough! I just searched up the credit club and was accepted for a Virgin money 0% balance transfer for 24 months! It's only for £3400 but I have transferred that from the Tesco Card.  I can close off the Next Directory in the next couple of months so I am keen to do that one myself.  Once it's gone through I will update my signature and re-snowball. It's not a lot in the grand scheme of my balances but every little helps.  I'm absolutely buzzing now

This is great news!! Well Done!  Honestly during my journey I was checking my credit report every month when it updated and updating my numbers in my signature every pay day, it kept me accountable to my plans and showed me if I had options to transfer any more debt to 0%.  Also helped on my wobbly days, as it was good to have somewhere to talk through my madness.