Three years to get debt free

Willowtree222

daisy_1571 said:

Its really hard when everything is so busy there's no time to sit tha k yuand plan.  Its sounds like some of the issues would be helped if you could get a few hours to yourself to try to simplify some things.  Automation is definitely key to an easy life. 

A bills account should have all your standing orders and direct debits.  No need to use a card for that account so pop that card in a drawer and don't carry it about with you.  That account should be filled either by wage or by a monthly standing order from where your wage goes into, it just chunters away.

An account that is filled weekly is the main card you would then use.  That one should always be in your purse/handbag or, although I hate this when I see people do it, with your phone.  Whatever you usually carry about with you.  You take it out to pay something, it goes back into wherever it came from at the till or cash point, dont shove it in a pocket and walk away thinking you'll do it later. 

Its just a habit.  You need to try a few options and once you find what works for you then it starts to be easy to do, so you do it and it then it makes life easier.

Plus, please stop saying you're not good at this money business, thats telling yourself every time you say it, type it or read it, that you can't do it so it allows you to subconsciously think' oh I cant set up systems, id be rubbish and get it wrong', then when you are working in a muddle which leads to making mistakes, this 'proves' to yourself you are rubbish at money stuff.  Start gently, slowly and soon you'll have a system you like and works for you.

Perhaps you need to wait till you have a couple of days off to do it.  Maybe 2 days, first day rest and do nothing, absolutely nothing, no 'catching up', give yourself a day off completely.  Then second day have a little list of things to look at.

I wonder if you read the above sentence and thought fat chance !  However,  its time very well spent.   If you had the flu and were stuck in bed life would carry on around you for a day or two.  If you broke your leg and were in hospital for 5 hours getting it xrayed and plastered, the world wouldn't end.  Maybe just use one Sunday, split the time in half and rest first half, look at a task next half.  I'm assuming you get breaks from having to put assignments for your studying in, also your daughter must get holidays from her clubs at some point, give yourself a holiday from tutoring the same week.  Use onr of your overpayments to 'pay' yourself for this time or to take an unpaid day from work if you don't get paid sick leave or have no annual leave left.  It sounds like you genuinely need some time off somewhere 

All the above might seem pie in the sky and I apologise if it glosses over some issue I haven't taken account of, you just seem like you are running full pelt all the time and I know how that feels.  Looking back I wish I'd had a minute where I just stopped and said to myself the above advice.

Take care, no need to comment,  just trying to help

Daisy xxx

Thank you,

Some really good pointers there. 
I'm currently on school holidays so do have a few days to look at things, but I feel like i don't know where to start and unmotivated at the minute. This week my dad had his operation and my terminally ill aunt hasn't been great. Trying to entertain DD, especially managing her routine with her autism also makes me just flop when I get an hour or day off.

I do have a day off today and tomorrow as DD is with her dad during the days (she refuses to stay over). Today I just played catch up so tomorrow I can hopefully look.at some of this. I've just ordered a new card as surprise surprise, I lost the old one, so I can certainly start moving money to one side and using two accounts now. I'll look what my budget says and then move across what I know I have said Will cover my fuel, shopping and anything left over. I'll make that step tonight so I can start tomorrow with that in mind.

Car changeover day tomorrow. That, in the long run, will save me a few thousand pounds. 

Thanks again for your comments. 

daisy_1571

Well that sounds like great timing     

I'm so glad somethings have been helpful.  Our bank prints an extra line on our accounts if we want it so we can call it a helpful name.  It shows on paper statements and the card linked to that account.   Our day to day account has a name on it so we don't inadvertently use the wrong card - you might want to check if your bank does this service? 


Good luck getting a clear head and that it works out you get some time in amongst all the other things you have going on

Take care daisy xxx

Willowtree222

Morning,

Git a bit of time yesterday to sort through things.
I've figured out that I have difficulties keeping on top because I have three payment dates when things come in, so my account can often look low,I panic, and then it's because money hasn't been paid in. This starts a downward spiral that I'm now managing and then the mindset changes, so I need to be more aware and move money at three points, rather than just one.

I've started this off already as I have my new card. 

I'm not going to overpay this month. School holidays are expensive as DD does need entertaining, I do have low cost days and no cost days, but there are days when we do have spending.

Car change over day. That will be a long term gain for me.
X

joedenise

I understand how you feel with the multiple paydays but it does get easier as you get used to it.  Between us DH and I have 10 different paydays (sometimes 11 or 12 on a 5 week month!) as we have our pensions paid weekly - DH on Tuesday and me on Friday.  I also have a work pension and a very small private pension.

I've now managed to work things so that we live on the previous months money so it doesn't make a difference when the money comes in.  I've done this using YNAB for several years and it has certainly been a life changer.

Willowtree222

joedenise said:

I understand how you feel with the multiple paydays but it does get easier as you get used to it.  Between us DH and I have 10 different paydays (sometimes 11 or 12 on a 5 week month!) as we have our pensions paid weekly - DH on Tuesday and me on Friday.  I also have a work pension and a very small private pension.

I've now managed to work things so that we live on the previous months money so it doesn't make a difference when the money comes in.  I've done this using YNAB for several years and it has certainly been a life changer.

That must be really hard to manage. I'm struggling with 3.

The majority of my bills have gone out today. The big bills and important ones have gone. And my account isn't too bad. Mostly due to summer money covering it.

Money has been moved to separate accounts to cover fuel and shopping and bits I want to buy. New car came with 340 miles left so that will be good as I don't need fuel for at least a week. I am visiting a friend the week after who lives a bit away otherwise that would have been two weeks fuel whilst I'm off work! 

Sorted out breakdown cover and travel insurance today so had some spends but all is essential. Refund from old car insurance came in today as well. This covered most of today's outgoings. 

Here's to sorting out my spending finally! 

Sarahwithlove

That's good news about using separate accounts. Is it worth taking a break from overpaying and getting a month ahead so that the currents months wages can just go into the account without worrying about what's being paid when as its being used for the following month. 

Willowtree222

Yes, I'm taking a break for this month to get my head straight. I can't afford to do two months as my mortgage is due up next year and I need it as low as possible.

Willowtree222

Usual Saturday clubs with DD. Planned shoe spend for her high school. The well known children's shoe shop and £50 spent. It was my budget so very much knew it would be in that region. Just need trainers now for her PE lessons. She has trainers, but they're old.

Sold my old air fryer as well so £40 made. DD is selling a few bits so hopefully one item will be picked up today. She's hoping for £25 and that's what we have agreed, so she should get it. 

Car seems OK. Very economical journey this morning with it being in electric mode quite a bit of the way. 

Had a free drink at a coffee shop and used cash in my purse to buy DD a bubble drink she's asked for. 

DD at her dad's tomorrow so I've got time to do a few things. I've also booked in DD at two things this week so she's got things to do and they're already paid for. I've also promised her a day when we can go crabbing. She loves it and didn't manage it with her dad this week as the tide was out. 

Willowtree222

Banks checked and they're fine. I have four more payments to go in this month. The last of my summer work will be paid at the end of the month. 

DD has a ski lesson this morning, and I will be visiting my auntie and dad afterwards. 

Managed to start a new emergency fund. Mostly with summer marking money, but it's getting there and this just pays for insurance and also anything that might crop up.

Getting anxious about returning to work in a few weeks. Lots of changes from the government and it's not going to work well in my setting at all. 

Mini break next week at my friend's holiday let. I'll buy her a gift as she's letting us stay for free. It's on a farm and DD has been before and loved it. She's got a fair few new animals since last year so DD is looking forward to going. 

Saw that energy prices were increasing again. Thankfully got a few hundred pounds buffer to help with that this winter. 

Car insurance is already in at a much lower price. 

Sarahwithlove

Are you not in a fix for your gas and electric? Have your provider not offered a good enough one?