Debt and Budget (Reset) plan

shell16

Im glad you are enjoying the app MPS, I have visited that app several times a day just to update with all the overpayments I make small or large and seeing the final amount reduce and the time to pay off reduce.  I also liked the graph on that app too.  For a free app you do get exactly what you need....the options for snowballing and avalanche methods, how much interest you will pay over the entire period.  A fantastic app!

shell16

@joedenise, we are thinking of going abroad next year for our summer hols in the motorhome and the Tesco card would be great for that, although I dont shop there for my weekly shopping.  I do tend to go in when Im needing some bits and pieces in town or for their offers with clubcard.  A great way to pay for Eurotunnel as you say as vouchers are triple the value, anything is better than nothing!

joedenise

@shell16 - you don't actually need to shop in Tescos as you still get the points doing your shopping anywhere.  I put absolutely everything I can onto the card and then pay off at the end of the month.  If buying shopping in, eg Sainsbury, I pay with the Tesco card and get the points but also scan the Nectar card for those points!

Both DH and I quite often buy our fuel in Morrisons as they are often the cheapest in our area so get our Tesco points there too.

You'll love motorhoming in France - it's so cheap compared to the UK.  I don't know if you know about the aires they have over there but a lot of them are free although Camping Carparks are starting to take over a lot of them and some of the old Municipal sites so are more expensive but still only 10-15 Euros a night including all services.  Just don't be tempted to use any of the aires on the motorways to stay overnight as they aren't as safe as the village ones.  If you want any more info feel free to message me.

shell16

Ah thanks for that @joedenise, need a head wobble as I thought you had to shop at Tesco to get their points

We have been to France several times to be fair including the south which was wonderful but that was before Brexit happened and then Covid so we havent been a fair few years.  The aires sites as you say are the ones we usually stay on during our road trip to our destination, there are some lovely ones in cute little French villages and scenery is often stunning too. 

We were thinking of maybe travelling through Belgium into Holland or Germany but I would love to go to Italy! Its my 50th next year so if we dont end up going to Italy was thinking of a short plane break to get there for that celebration.  Decisions, decisions!

We are actually away tomorrow for 4 nights just locally just over an hour of where we live to Southport.  Hubby driving motorhome for us and then coming home.  Just me and the girls to Southport, cant wait!

Shell x

shell16

Morning and a quick update from me.

Busy working today as Im away for a few days next week due to half term.  Ive put a joint of ham in the slow cooker which cooks in sugar, I know it sounds awful but its truly delicious!  Will have with parmentier potatoes and either sweetcorn or peas.

Need to get some washing on too for clothing we are taking with us to Southport tomorrow, so when next on break will get that done.

I was hoping to have around £50 left in my bank by the time I get paid next Friday but had to buy some paint for my daughters room yesterday, cant believe how much paint is!  Its one coat to be fair but £42 for a 5L tin of white paint, crikey!  I will have around £10 left if nothing else crops up and that will stay in the account as a buffer.

Im waiting for my Lloyds statement to come through as I will have a small amount of interest of around £3ish to go on, and I will also need to adjust the payment in respect of the Direct debit  I made for that interest when it arrives in my debt payoff planner app. 

Completed a couple of surveys on Prolific this morning and they are good payers of £1.80 and £2.25, have 65p cleared and £5.25 pending so would like those cleared asap so I can make another payment before I get paid on Friday.

Have a great day everyone and a lovely weekend!
Shell x

shell16

Managed to cashout on prolific £5.70 so sent £5 to Lloyds CC and 70p to SPC.  £1.20 pending so need to do more surveys (if I can get on them!)

Shell x

Keedie

Have a great time away with the girls, it's nice that you're having a girly trip with them, they'll definitely have fond memories of your all your trips.

Thanks for the app, I've downloaded it and it's all very exciting isn't it? My debt free date is January 2025, but I know it'll be longer as I'll be reducing the amount that I'll be sending to my debts and prioritising savings this year.

That Tesco credit card does sound good. I've always been scared to spend on a credit card as I've lacked self control, but my debt free journey has made me realise that I am getting better in that respect. I use my vouchers for meals out like Pizza Express or Zizzi's, but I want to enjoy days out so I'll have another look at what is on offer.

EssexHebridean

More excellent progress Shell - well done! You're still putting me to shame on surveys too - I really need to give myself a kick up the proverbial to get back to it! 

shell16

Morning All

Back form my short break away to Southport, had a lovely time, and although slightly chilly the sun shone which was much appreciated!

Birthday yesterday and im now 1 year off the big 50!  Scary stuff to be honest, I definitely don't feel my age

Payday today and I have managed to pay off my Lloyds CC of £596 and an extra payment of £20 to Sainsburys CC.  My usual £69 payment will come out towards the end of the month and any extra payments from now to next payday will be sent to that card too. I currently have £1.50 cleared on Prolific and £6.50 pending. 

So going forwards from March pay I will be sending £685 minimum to Sainsburys CC, by April I should have a maximum final payment of £325 thats if I send nothing else at all other than that payment from now to next payday which is very unlikely.  Im still aiming for 18th April to be totally debt free.....

60 days left!

I am daring to dream for the first time and the extra cash left in my account once im debt free.  Lots of plans being made where I will continue to feed various pots going forwards and I will categorically not be adding anything to credit cards unless I can pay off IN FULL.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Im not getting the level of bonus I usually rely on towards my summer hols due to the group having posted a loss overall, but I have now found out we are getting something in the region of £950 subject to tax and NI.  Im extremely grateful for this.  From what I can gather the Company I work for had a huge backlash particularly the part of the group I work for actually made a profit last year, we were the only company in the Group to do that!  That extra cash will be going towards my summer hols.

Thats about all for now.  Back to it once I get a fresh cup of tea!
Shell x

LittleMissDetermined

Happy belated birthday for yesterday and I am so pleased you had a good break in Southport

Woooohoo for 60 days!  I have a nice wish list to work through for when I finally pay my last debt payment. Starting with some replacement tech that just seems to be limping along!
LMD x