Third time's the charm...

LittleMissDetermined

Well, I am shattered this morning, went to bed at the usual time but I just couldn't get my brain to switch off and I probably saw every hour until about 3am.  I don't even know what the issue was, there's nothing I'm particularly worried about (aside from my total debt figure, and that's been MUCH worse before!) so I'm hoping today will be relatively stress free for my overtired brain. 

Checking the credit scores and my Clearscore one has gone up again, I think one of the hard searches after our move has dropped off. Across all of the score providers it's looking really healthy and the Clearscore one is 200+ points above the national average. 

I had recently been wondering if it was possible to actually clear all my debt by Christmas 2022 rather than the £8k target.  I have re-jigged a duplicate of my budget spreadsheet and it is 'possible' but not at all probable as I would have no money to 'live' with, no holidays, no birthday gifts etc. It also doesn't take into account the annual insurance payments I make in April/May... So I am just going to concentrate on the £8k for now, and if I can pay more then I will do. 

Like @shell16 said, any payments off the debt is a positive move.

Today will be another NSD - as was yesterday.  I have no plans except for working from home, walking the dog and dinner tonight is out the freezer.  A friend mentioned that they may pop in for a coffee this evening so that would be nice, but again won't cost a penny. 

I think I won the bonus ball at work on Saturday, but the organiser is on leave so I've not had confirmation. It's not filled so we sometimes have rollovers which is nice as the money can soon mount up.  I don't need anything though so I think if I have won it will be going into my sealed pot. 

Ha, I still call it my 'sealed' pot because of the challenge but it isn't... I have 2 actually.  One for my coins (which are bagged up by denomination) and then one for my notes and full bags of coins. I have quite a good level of will power so I don't need to seal them. I figure that when I next go to the bank I will take a few bags of coins and replace them with notes, which will make it easier once the challenge is over.  I do keep track of what's in there (because of the bags) but at least I know what my budget for next Christmas will be. 

Feel like my overtired brain is rambling now... probably need more coffee! 

LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Another NSD for me today, except for my PADs which was a combination of rounding down both my bank accounts.  It's good to see that overall balance dropping away from the £13k.

14 days left before pay day, even though I held back my salary until my usual pay day it still feels like a long month.  I can only imagine how it feels for those who don't hold their salary back.  Due to illness, and not going out, both my bank accounts are in reasonably good condition.  Our cancelled plans from last weekend will be reinstated this weekend and we are planning on going out for food and a few drinks on Friday. It will be nice to get dressed up and venture out

We have no other social plans for the rest of the month which will cost money so I won't feel guilty ordering a cocktail or 2.

I have decided to switch out my monthly contact lenses for daily disposables. I feel like because I work from home and Covid seems to be reducing our social time I don't really wear them enough.  I will make an appointment to discuss with my optician but I have 6 months worth just sat in a drawer.  It will be a bigger initial outlay but only using a few pairs a month will definitely work out cheaper in the end. 

No other updates today, hope everyone has a good one
LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Popping in to report another NSD for me today, as predicted.  Hubby forgot to get bread this morning when he went out so we had a variety of freezer nibbles for lunch. Tonight is sausages and mash with veg, which I am already looking forward to.

I had a lovely walk with the dog at lunch time as the temperatures were low but the sun was really warm.  He certainly seemed to enjoy the wind flapping round his ears anyway  

Work has been really busy today, and I'm likely to have to work late so I am taking the opportunity for a brew and a biccie... I have had a bit of a headache this afternoon so I've probably not had enough to drink. It'll probably be an early night for me in anticipation of a late night tomorrow. 

Hope everyone's having a good Thursday.
LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Happy Friday everyone!  Finally at the end of what feels like a very long week... and I was up just after 5 with a playful pooch, he's now sleeping and I need to get ready for work - typical!

Made a slightly bigger PAD this morning, with an extra £5 on top of the bank round down, there's still a decent amount left in my accounts so rather than increase the temptation to spend, it's better being chucked at the CC4 balance.  

Today is going to be another busy work day, with almost back to back online meetings, I mean, how does that even happen on a FRIDAY?  In stark contrast, I only have 1 meeting on Monday.  Seems a bit backwards.  Anyway, it does mean that my day should go relatively quickly and it will be 4pm before I know it. 

Sorted my appointment for my contacts yesterday and I have an appointment on Monday to discuss, I'm due for a check up anyway so that's good timing. Looking forward to saving some money there, and maybe I can get a refund for the 6 months of lenses I have sat here.  That would be £90+ to go towards debt or savings. 

Anyway, I've finished my coffee so it's time to get dressed and ready for the day.

Have a good one
LMD x

crazy_cat_lady

Hope you've survived the day. I'm shattered and counting down the seconds until it's a reasonable bed time... What a week!

LittleMissDetermined

@crazy_cat_lady we made it to the end of the week!!!!!! 

I am out and already 2 drinks in so I’m celebrating Friday in style. 

I hope you have a restful weekend, grab an early night if that’s how you feel lovely. Do what makes you happy xx

LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

I had a bit of a fuzzy head this morning, a sure sign of a good night out...

Today and tomorrow are NSDs to make up for last night, the usual PADs will be made of course, all food supplies are in the fridge/freezer and cupboards. Looking forward to seeing the optician on Monday to see what can be saved there.  Done a bit of sorting out today in the house, I feel more organised and it's good for my head-space.

No updates on the accounts, I do have more offers from other credit cards for balance transfers but I'm pretty confident I will be able to save enough to clear what's left on CC4 by the May statement due date. 

Credit scores remain the same and Experian doesn't update until 27th so that's a way off yet.  I'm still feeling positive about those   Bonkers, I know...  The overall balance should be £12900 or less by the time I get paid with the daily PADding. Much better than I expected for January. 

Going to attempt more crochet this evening, still can't get the hang of it haha. Perseverance is key.

LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Today will be a housework, cooking and ironing day, so much for Sundays being a day of rest!  I'll be calling at the cashpoint when I walk the dog later to get some cash to go in the sealed pot. At the moment I am still pretty much cash-less so there's been no addition to that for a while, I think it's feeling left out  

Aside from that, no spending. My PAD has already been sent to CC4 this morning, 10 more days to go before pay day. 

LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Happy Monday everyone 

We are certainly getting to the thin end of the month as my last bill payments have come out this morning... I actually forgot my cash card when I took the dog for the walk yesterday so I didn't end up adding anything to the sealed pot.

Today won't be a NSD because I have to go grocery shopping, hoping to get enough to last until Saturday if the dates are decent, that and if our silly small fridge can take the volume haha.  Planning on some slow cooking this week, casseroles and curries - yum! It's always good to stock the freezer up too.

It used to be that hubby was paid 2 weeks after me, but after his last job move we now get paid on the same day, at least we both end up skint at the same time now  

Off to the optician later to see if I can save money there, quite excited to try the dailies, it will certainly be less faffing around cleaning etc.  I guess I will have to see what he says about it fingers crossed they can refund any difference if that's the way we end up going.  

I've been wondering whether to clear more from CC4 each month instead of putting it to the EF for when I clear it in May.  I've always been nervous about not having any saving in reserves in case of any issues but we have some in our house account that can be used for emergencies now.  As there's no interest being added it really doesn't matter either way, but I think the encouragement I will get from seeing the balances come down will be really good for my mental health. 

Maybe I will split it for now, and get the best of both.  Can you tell I'm an over-thinker? Haha

LMD x

LittleMissDetermined

Afternoon fellow DFW's 

After my rambling post yesterday I transferred half my savings from this month to CC4 and updated my spreadsheet to allocate half of the EF funds each month too.  It makes absolutely no difference to the amount I'm paying, but that final figure for May being lower is a good feeling for me. 

I feel very tired this week, not sure if it's because I'm bundled up because it's been cold... then as soon as the dog snuggles up next to me I find my eyelids getting heavy. 

The optician appointment went well and we have agreed on 10 daily pairs a month which will be £14 a month, only £2 cheaper than my monthly ones but I should be getting about £50 refunded from the ones I have taken back and once I have built up a stash I can pause my deliveries/payments for a few months which is handy. The lenses themselves actually feel better quality than the monthly ones too. 

Still not put any additional money into the SPC but I forgot to get any cash out again... I'll try and remember tomorrow.

Ttfn
LMD x