20K to Debt Free by June - Finally Debt Free 27/06/23

LittleMissDetermined

Well done on the PADding, it all adds up
LMD x

LeeXenon

Good morning everyone, a bit of a late update before I call it a night.
Everything has been going "OK" and remains almost on track. I've increased payments slightly this month and will keep it up for as long as I reasonably can. Started on Christmas shopping and chipping away at that where I can as well.

£400 to CC1
£400 to CC2
£329.40 to HP
£1129.40 debt repaid this month. (Ouch!)

A slight bump in the road, my car redeveloped a fault and I've had to fork out over £600 to repair it, it wasn't wholly necessary although by doing so I discovered that it would have in fact failed the MOT had I not repaired it. Speaking of the MOT, that's due tomorrow as well. My emergency car budget is £360, so I've blown that - I've utilized Monzo Flex (Interest Free option) to keep some spare aside in case any more issues crop up on the MOT, if it passes, I fully intend to dip slightly into the Christmas budget and pay it off (Thereby not increasing my debt in any way), if it fails, I will need to re-evaluate and just take it on the chin as a minor setback.

Even though the emergency budget for the car wasn't quite enough, without it, I would have been hit hard. Highlights the importance of having an EF, something I look forward to fully establishing when debt free. Hopefully no more bumps in the road, must keep positive and keep moving forward!

Fingers crossed - Hope you are all well.

Side Note - Physical Health
Still on the weight loss journey and doing well, although things have slown down a bit now. Since March this year I've lost 56lbs, marking the 4 stone milestone. From 195lbs to 139lbs, losing 9-10" off my waist, I've effectively transformed my health. Living on the frugal side has definitely helped and I'm now at my intended weight loss goal.

LittleMissDetermined

It's a b*gger about the car @LeeXenon, but unfortunately that's one of the downsides of having a car these days! Someone has bumped mine in a car park and I need to fork out to get it repaired but it's a big chunk of money... 

You've paid a lot off your cards this month, just a thought though - are these on 0%? If so (and for a while) is it worth considering using a bit each month to build an emergency fund for such times when things like this happen? I've recently got mine to target and it feels like a great comfort blanket knowing it's there.

Fabulous work on the weightloss. I just seem to be putting more on! I have no willpower when it comes to food and to be honest I always end up spending twice as much at the supermarket when I am on a diet as eating healthily somehow seems to cost more! 

I know the car seems like a set-back but you have a plan and it seems a sensible one to me
LMD x

LeeXenon

Hey LMD, sorry, late response;
the cards are indeed on 0% well into next year, I'm hoping the 0% periods will see me to the clearing of both cards!
I wish there was a way to move the HP to 0%, although it seems as though loans etc will all incur fees / charges that outweigh any benefit so I'm going to keep on rolling with the HP I think.

The car did pass the MOT in the end, so that's a positive. Feeling the financial crunch at the moment, really need to avoid any further unnecessary spending throughout November and possibly December whilst I refill the vehicle emergency pot.

LMD, agreed, eating healthy does seem to cost more - I resorted to simply calorie counting, in all honestly I still eat a lot of rubbish and have lost weight this way, just need to keep it off now!

CC1 is sitting on a very nice £1,120 now, I'm very excited to break the £1,000 barrier here and get this cleared!

LittleMissDetermined

That £1k barrier can’t be too far in the future at the rate you’re going! Well done on keeping up the momentum and if you need to slow the pace for a few months, there’s certainly no shame in that. Especially at this time of year and with the current economic climate.

I’ve been toying with signing back up to the gym, but I don’t want it to be a waste of money.

LMD x

LeeXenon

Thank you for the words of support LMD, it's always a consideration although I will do this as a last resort.
Hoping to be able to afford a vehicle service out of the maintenance pot in December, get that out of the way and it could just be the last piece of vehicle maintenance I have to do whilst clearing these darn debts!

Cashed out £6.44 on Prolific today, just putting this aside before I commit it to a PAD as I am currently running a little poor this month due to the £600+ spent on the car ...

LeeXenon

Achieved another NSD today and we're over half way through November - Looks like I'm going to make another one.

Estimating £1,229.40 in debt payments alone at the end of November, the meer thought of this now makes me feel sick to my stomach. Looks like I intend to say GOOD-BYE to Barclaycard in 3 more payments, I don't think it's going to happen any sooner if I tried although I am counting down.

On a side-note, opened by switcher account with Natwest, I think I'm going to treat myself and the family with this payment if/when it comes through.

LittleMissDetermined

Those 3 payments will be made before you know it and then you’ll have one less creditor

I have also done a bank switch to FD and if/when I get that payment I will be using it to pay for the Christmas groceries rather than using it for debt. We can’t go on with no treats now can we?

You’re still doing great! Feel proud of yourself 
LMD x

LeeXenon

It's that time again... £1229.40 of debt wiped out!
£450 to CC1
£450 to CC2
£329.40 to Vehicle HP

An interesting month indeed, some money aside for vehicle maintenance and a little bit remaining in the Christmas pot to finish everyone off. I don't think there will be much left leisure wise, although with some time away from work hopefully I'll make up for that a bit spending a little bit less in fuel. Prolific seems to be running a bit slower in terms of releasing my funds, although the studies are coming along steadily and hopefully the money earned there can go towards a few bits throughout December.

Still no sign of the cashback from Natwest, although T&C's did state this could be any time up until the new year.

LittleMissDetermined

That’s a great total to wipe off your debt again! Well done

My switching reward came through really quick and I’ve put it aside to pay for Christmas groceries.

Completely agree about Prolific, I have had over £10 pending for ages, not the same £10, but they’re definitely slower at releasing these days.

Keep at it though, we can all benefit from free money
LMD x