24 months to debt freedom

CL21

anjyeah said:

Your title caught my attention. Monzo Pots saved me this year - having a round up, and travel fund (refunds from cancelled holiday) hidden somewhere in my account. I guess the most important part of it is to ensure that each pot has a purpose which you've already done a good job on. 

Just popping by to say hello and good luck! You can do this.

Thank you for the support! Do love the pots - trouble is I keep thinking of more to add 🤣

joedenise

Nothing wrong with more pots @CL21🤣🤣🤣

CL21

joedenise said:

Nothing wrong with more pots @CL21🤣🤣🤣

You’re pots goals @joedenise 😂 I only managed two more though - still a way to go until I reach 47 

CL21

Up at 5am again for some reason but have finished re-reading the YNAB book after Total Money Makeover. Both completely different approaches to budgeting but the same core message - get rid of debt! I like the flexibility that YNAB has as I know from experience that Dave Ramseys ‘gazelle intense’ approach only works for me for a short time before I get fed up. 

Was almost tempted in by the kindle unlimited deal of £23.99 for six months this morning but since I have a gazillion unread kindle books in my library - suckered in by the 99p deal every time! - I’m going to read my way through those instead and send the £23.99 to the EF 

EssexHebridean

Good use of that £23.99 there CL - if it takes you 6 months to read through what you have there will probably be another offer along that you can use anyway! I reckon that's one of the most valuable lessons this place has taught me you know - that with all deals, they are pretty much never a one off, and there will be another one along shortly! 

CL21

I think it probably will take me six months @EssexHebridean! How ridiculous is that?! At least I’ve made a plan to read them now instead of just completely forgetting I have them and adding more. There’s also plenty of other books I would like to re-read so that will keep me busy. 

You’re right about the deals - always a new one and yet somehow I fall for it every time 🤣

LittleMissDetermined

EssexHebridean said:

Good use of that £23.99 there CL - if it takes you 6 months to read through what you have there will probably be another offer along that you can use anyway! I reckon that's one of the most valuable lessons this place has taught me you know - that with all deals, they are pretty much never a one off, and there will be another one along shortly! 

Totally agree with this, offers come around more often than you realise so £23.99 nicely saved!

CL21 said:

You’re right about the deals - always a new one and yet somehow I fall for it every time 🤣

THIS!!! I too used to be a bloomin' marketers' dream.... emails, facebook ads, Boots Tuesdays, 3 for 2, 2 for 1, limited time offers... I could go on forever. 

I started by removing targeted marketing from social media, and unsubscribing from all marketing emails. There was definitely less temptation there.  Plus, when COVID hit, I wasn't going shopping to see the actual deals in the shops.  I bet I have saved hundreds, if not more than a thousand pounds from doing this.  I was a sucker for a 'bargain' that was never actually a bargain. 

Keep on with the great mindset you've started with and you'll see a big difference in no time!

LMD x

CL21

Thanks LMD - I’m also a sucker for Boots £10 Tuesday! And every other ‘bargain’ I can possibly find. Because - saving money right?!?! 🙄 

I’ve unsubscribed for all websites and even had to come off social media. I’d never thought of myself as easily swayed by marketing but it turns out that I’m the definition of a marketers dream! 

Blackcats

Waving hello!  You are doing really well and this forum is so supportive, motivating and certainly makes me feel accountable.  

I no longer have any debt but I keep my diary to stop me getting back into debt but also because I found saving harder than debt repaying (and definitely much, much harder than accruing debt).
I treat my saving goals as a challenge and as I am so grown up I make myself a grid of 100 squares and colour in a square each time I save 1% of the savings target.  😇.  In fact I've also drawn a jar with 100 circles in that get coloured in so it looks like a pretty sweetie jar and a tree with a mix of 100 leaves and apples to colour in.  Although I'm even laughing at myself, it is very motivating.  Perhaps you could do the same with your emergency fund? 

CL21

Ah thanks Blackcat - I read your whole diary the other day and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to be debt free but can imagine that saving is hard too, it’s such a mindset change. 

Love the colouring idea. Visuals are so motivating aren’t they?! I’d never thought to apply to my emergency fund but will do that and then maybe start another one for my debt payoff (that’ll need a
lot of squares 😂)