Debt and Budget (Reset) plan

shell16

Hi @sunshine_raincloud

When I started this diary I had £14890 debt (including £500 Overdraft i have added during the last 12 months) I checked how much my loan was nearly 5 years ago when we bought our motorhome and knew I was into Overdraft to near full limit of £1000 plus credit card debt of around £9000. So I suppose the only real reduction in that debt was down to my loan payments and minimum payments on credit cards. 

Hopefully on the home stretch now. You are also doing very well!!

Shell x

Keedie

Having literally read your diary from start to finish over the last week and a bit, I can attest to the fact that you've come a long way and you're absolutely smashing it! I could see your confidence grow and had you not stated that you're new to budgeting, I would never have guessed, especially as you've been so helpful to me. I've learnt a lot from you, and the laser focus you have and you're doing admirably and you'll be on your Debt Free Roll of Honour in no time.

Squirrelz92

Wowwwww you are doing so amazingly well! Love looking back at the beginning of a diary to remind myself of where I started. It's so easy to not be able to see the wood for the trees! Amazing how much progress you have made in the last 11 months  

As for the school uniforms, I can't believe it cost that much?! But you have once again smashed that issue out of the park by saving up for the expense which is awesome!!! Definitely a great idea to save £20 a month for next year and/or the growth spurt! Proud of youuuu! x

bigbeff

Just thought I’d pop in and say hi! Which budgeting videos did you watch on YouTube, I feel much more in control of my money, but I’d love to know how others do it.

LittleMissDetermined

bigbeff said:

Just thought I’d pop in and say hi! Which budgeting videos did you watch on YouTube, I feel much more in control of my money, but I’d love to know how others do it.

Think I might benefit from this too @shell16 if you don't mind sharing?

shell16

@bigbeff @LittleMissDetermined have sent you a message.  LMD  I think you do prefer spreadsheets but these videos are pen and paper budgeting.  Hope they help? 

Shell x

shell16

Squirrelz92 said:

Wowwwww you are doing so amazingly well! Love looking back at the beginning of a diary to remind myself of where I started. It's so easy to not be able to see the wood for the trees! Amazing how much progress you have made in the last 11 months  

As for the school uniforms, I can't believe it cost that much?! But you have once again smashed that issue out of the park by saving up for the expense which is awesome!!! Definitely a great idea to save £20 a month for next year and/or the growth spurt! Proud of youuuu! x

Thankyou @Squirrelz92 I'm certainly trying very hard with this. Never really stuck to paying off debt before for so long, lots of flickers throughout the years of that light bulb though!! 🤣

shell16

Morning 

Been a really busy week! I'm off up to Scotland today for my holidays so will be popping on here every now and again.  This holiday is fully funded from a pay bonus so I see that as a free one! 

Will still update when I can.  Hope everyone has a lovely holiday if you too are away!

Shell x

Keedie

Have a great time up in Scotland @shell16, and yes I'd count that holiday as a freebie too if you funded it through a pay bonus. Have fun making more memories in the motorhome (I'm a little jealous although I couldn't reliably do long distance travelling). xx

shell16

Morning!

Back form my holiday in Bonny Scotland.  Had a great time and toured a few places in the Motorhome which was great!  We unfortunately missed the Kelpies though which I really wanted to see especially at night time.

Spent a little more than I wanted too, really felt the increased costs to eating out but it was our main holiday for the year!

A very quick update on my debt - Payments made to usual CC's and Loan which have now taken me below £6K, debt reduced by 61% since starting my DF Journey, super happy with this!  Loan has 4 payments left, Virgin CC 5 Payments, then need to focus on Lloyd's and Sainsburys CC's in 2023. 

Christmas savings pot healthy at £750 and will easily achieve target of £1K by October. 

In other news, just found out my employers are granting a 5% pay increase due to increased costs of living in Jan 2023 rather than waiting until usual April time.  Makes up for my 2% increase in April this year and Im happy with this.

Thats about all for now, first day back at work, and need to catch up!

Have a great day everyone!
Shell x