A year into taking control.... Now is the time to ramp things up 30 April 2021 at 9:54AM in Debt free diaries 1 reply 81 views

WhoisNadia

So, here I am.
Its been a turbulent few years with one thing or another, too much to go into here. Life changing goings on; death of a parent, a family (I use the term loosely) dispute through the courts; and a house move in late March 2020 in the first week of lockdown,  Just over a year ago, with cards maxed out due to legal expenses, I sacked the lawyer, took charge of the ongoing management of my case and vowed to be debt free by 50 (that leaves me about three years to nail this.

So this shows progress made so far from the turning point:

Lender1/4/20                                                                30/4/21

Tesco card:        

WhoisNadia

So, here I am. (part 2 - dodgy laptop/broadband connection)

Its been a turbulent few years with one thing or another, too much to go into here. Life changing goings on;  Just over a year ago, with cards maxed out due to legal expenses, I sacked the lawyer, took charge of the ongoing management of my case and vowed to be debt free by 50 (that leaves me about three years to nail this.)

So this shows progress made so far from the turning point:

Lender                           Credit Limit/amt borrowed                        1/4/20                                    30/4/21

Tesco card:                    £5,500                                                       £5440                                     £4568              20.83%

MBNA                             £13,750                                                    £12,297                                  £11,994           16.94%

MBNA                             £10,000                                                    £9,867                                     £8,027            18.94%

Barclaycard                    £14,850                                                    £14,609                                   £11,992           11.12%

RBOS                            £6,250                                                       £4,664                                     £3,927             21.55%

JD Williams                    £1,350                                                      £756                                       £0                     39.9%          

Very                               £5,200                                                      £3687                                     £0                      51.9%

Car Loan OODLE         £4,000                                                       £3795                                     £2,187              9.9%

                                                                  total                             £55,115                                    £42,295

£12,820 progress made in year one.

This year I have also opted for paying for insurances up front with debit card purchases.

 I have targeted the debts with the highest interest rate first, moved Barclaycard onto a Paydown Plan, so my next tactic is to go at RBOS and nail that to zero in the next few months, with a view that I might get an interest free offer.

I am keeping a close eye on my credit files.

Any advice/experience/tips appreciated.

There - its out there -my plan