Debt free by 40

jokono

It feels like it's been longer since I last posted. It's been a spendy week

- Went to get uniform for Boy2 who is starting secondary this year

- Ordered minimalist/ barefoot school shoes for both boys, early but we have to see if they get on with them or we need to get them regular ones. I added a pair of trainers for myself while I was there to take advantage of the 20% off and free shipping. I've been wanting to try them for a long time and I had money left over from two weekly budgets so I went for it.

- Had an eye test and found out I'm slightly short sighted. I do realise now that my eyes are tired in the evening but didn't think any of it until now. Only had the test on a whim as it was offered from work. £125 spent on glasses in b00ts. I might get more online but since it's the first time I'm wearing glasses I want to make sure they fit ok and what to compare the online ones to. Choosing the frames was more difficult than choosing the boys' names 😆

- Signed up for a race - I had to dip into next week's budget to cover the entry fee 😬

Overall, I think I will finish the month with no extra debt compared to last month, there might be a decrease but up to £100. 

Sarahwithlove

Ouch to the glasses but for first pair it's probably for the best. 

jokono

We have an allotment!!! 🎉 It's very overgrown but we have time to get it ready for next spring, hopefully we'll get some rain soon (never said that before!), the ground is so dry. Might plant some fruit bushes this autumn.

My Mr got me a F1tb1t charge 5 for our wedding anniversary, it's not what I would've chosen but I'm happy with it so far. I didn't get him anything oops! 🙈

Work's been crazy busy and stressful the last couple of weeks, I made an effort to go for a run or long walk every morning, sometimes a second long walk in the evening, I'm pretty sure that's what kept me sane working on this difficult project. It's now nearing the end (famous last words?) and I'm feeling much calmer.

But I'm beginning to stress about our upcoming holiday, we're visiting family in country of birth and there's a lot packed in the 12 days we'll be there.

I got my glasses and it's very strange, I didn't realise I don't see well in the distance but there's an obvious difference watching tv with and without glasses. I don't think I'm ordering more online, one pair should be enough for now. The online ones are very cheap if you get them in pairs with the basic lenses, but if you add anti glare lenses that's £40 extra a pair.

We have £10 left until payday Thursday, enough to get more bread/milk. I actually want the tenner to last until Friday when the budget resets but I will lend some to Mr until he gets paid on Friday 😆

MissRikkiC

Which race did you enter? I’m looking to enter a few soon as well now I’m back into the swing of things! 

Your comment on glasses reminded me about my friends daughter. Somehow little E has managed to reach the age of 7 and only just have they realised she needed glasses. The poor thing was astounded when she could actually see things properly. She said the colours were brighter, the lines were neater bless her heart. 

Ps. The anniversary gift gesture not being returned made me chuckle. 

jokono

Boy1 was 10 when we found out he was short sighted! 😣 After his second eye test we found out there's some new glasses that stop myopia from progressing and his sight didn't deteriorate at all in the last 6 months.

I entered the Grim challenge, it's in December so I might join others by then. I'm looking at a half marathon in the West Country in autumn.

I collected lots of fruit and veg and a loaf of bread from 0lio today and I have the larder this afternoon, I predict and evening spent cooking. I have almost £9 till Friday, I will need to buy some crisps for Boy2's packed lunch - he's very excited about having a packed lunch, it's mainly school dinners during term time.

jokono

It's the day before payday. This month my debt decreased by just over £70. Not much compared to a regular month but it's been a spendy month with flights, uniform and school shoes to be covered.

My pay will go up £30 this month due to the change in NI. Next month I'll be another £30 better off after cancelling Boy2's swimming classes. He's still in stage 1, not improving so best to take a break and try again later. 

I have £7 in the weekly budget 💪 but I promised Boy1 a chicken shop lunch tomorrow so I won't have much left on Friday's reset. Which is absolutely fine since I started the week with a deficit.

The small CC is now at £35. I will keep chipping at it with prolific, I have until early October to pay it off, more than enough time. 

jokono

After today's loan payment I have finally paid off 50.5% off my debt since starting using the Debt Payoff Planner app in May 2021. 💪💪💪 The loan is also over 50% paid, with £9,227 left out of the initial £20k.

Sainsbobs bank continue to be a pain. I have a positive balance on the CC and sent them a message to get a refund to my main bank account. After 3 days they said the money didn't come from that account (I did a cheeky BT to my no fee CC) and I should give them a call. I tried calling them but their system is crap and the call gets disconnected before being transferred to an agent. I'll try again today, otherwise I'll just send a request to close the card, they will have to refund me then, just not sure how.

I started eating bread (even white 😱) and chocolates again and I can see my lower tummy getting rounder and harder. I need to cut them out or at least limit my sugar intake again.

jokono

The small CC that was just over £400 two months ago has now been cleared! 🥳 It's been paid with prolific/ ebay/ vinted, there's been a couple of £50ish chunks but otherwise I just sent £5-10 when cashing out or selling something.

My cheeky BT to Sainbobs to get into positive balance and pay the loan didn't work, they didn't want to refund to a different card than the one the money came from. 😑 So now I'm trying T3sco, I have a card with them I forgot about. If they refuse to refund to my current account I will just close the account and they will have to send a cheque or something. I hope 😬

jokono

The BT transfer to my T3sco CC and then back to my account worked, it was easy to send the money back from the app. Check that out Sainsbobs! I sent it all to the loan and when I went to check the other day, the next payment amount changed instead of the term being reduced. I've made overpayments before and they reduced the term, that's what it says in the contract as well. I messaged them, let's see what they say.


At the start of the year I said I'd like to halve my debt this year, this was based on my progress during 2021. However, a new phone and two holidays later, I need about £1,100 more than my usual repayments to achieve my goal. I'm going to aim to pay £100 extra before the end of August and then £250 each month September to December. I have £100 pending in top cash back so I'm covered this month, I have to make a plan for the rest of the year.

sashybo

Well done on clearing the small CC with prolific/eb@y/v!nted money, it's amazing how much of a difference it makes. 👏