The last obstacale: it's the path.

DrCarrie

I am starting fresh for the last leg of this journey. In the last 16 months, I have worked really hard. I am more than 50% of the debt paid. Next month it should all be on 0% interest and payable by September. 

Then it will be saving, but let's not discuss that now.

I am going to push hard to pay off as much debt as I can, by the 1st of May, when I turn 50. I am now in a position where I can pay at least 1K a month of the credit card. This is no mean feat! I am delighted, particularly as I will no, longer be battling with the interest.  

Any leftovers from the no commute which will be around for a while again I think will also go on the CC that could be another £290. 

I have other more health-related plans, including completing 50 walks before I am 50. I had a big bucket list, but I am focusing on walking, yoga, and food. 

I live alone and work at home for now, I will need to be disciplined about seeing people, staying in touch, and having some joy. 

DrCarrie

Happy New year!

I had a very low spend day and did 1/50 walks around Chiswick Park. The walks was about 4 miles, and steps today were 16,790 out and about. 

Quite pleased, thank you. 

Need a stock check tomorrow before I do some shopping. 

DrCarrie

Been for a walk and saw the dawn of the day, down at the beach. Really lovely. Running a bath before I settle to a day on the screen!

Next time I need to take brekkie with me, and coffee to be more MSE- because I got hungry and nipped into t3sc0 for bin bags,  milk.... and scotch eggs. 

I have food orders in progress. Lots of lovely healthy food arriving starting tomorrow. 

Been keeping up with my cleaning regime and it all feels nice. 

I put the energy tracker back on earlier in the week. Price hikes are coming and it's good for the world to reduce consumption. It is helping me to remember to turn things off that I don't need. 

Walk 2/50 - beach and back via the North Laine - Brighton.

DrCarrie

Not much action really...just reduced my payment plan on N3tfl1x. A tiny win there. Done a meal plan  - I am on a proper healthy eating building stamina kick. 

About to go out and shop, first time I have had a proper list for a while. Then going to do some cooking. 

NeverendingDMP

Well done on your progress so far and the morning walks sound a lovely way to start the day. 

Tiredbutdetermined

well done on a fab start to the year.

I need to sort meal planning and healthy eating. I am an exhausted, hangry mess all of the time at the moment

DrCarrie

Modest pay rise has been given today, starting on next payday - another £60 I can put in the debt repayment. 

I cleared a CC and the balance is zero (whoop) and I will pay 1060 on pay day off the other one and then do a balance transfer over to the cleared CC before the offer closes...things definitely moving. Then close the CC that will be cleared by the balance transfer. 

This time last year I was juggling 3 CC's and next month I will only have one. All feels more doable, Really very doable. 

Healthy eating and stamina building on track, slow but sure. 

DrCarrie

Gosh, a funny old week. 

Anyway, with the potential of the debt being transferred to the VCC it being cut down to in the region of £6,500 next week.

After that, I am going to give myself a little pay rise for 'wants' on the 50/30/20 way of budgeting. Not the mine is, its actually:
- 52.5% for neseccities 
- 20%  leisure and wants (3% pay rise)
- 27.5% for debt / saving

I am going to start saving on Feb pay day - I will set the minimum payment for the CC to cover the 0% term over 12 months. 
The rest of the 27.5% I am going to save  - and throw money at saving when I have some slush. 

Feels good, a real shift in my finances. Never saved regularly in my life - time to build a new habit. 

foxgloves

We all need a bit of money for 'wants', @DrCarrie, I agree. We are debt-free now having reformed our terrible money habits a good while ago. Both when we were still debt-busting & now when we are trying to put more into savings, we operate a 'Personal Spends' system. We each have an allowance of £100 a month. There are two rules 1) We can use it for whatever we want....... 2) When it's gone, it's gone. This works well for us. It doesn't include any clothing btw, as we have a separate savings pot for that. Any Personal Spends left at the end of the month rolls forward, which means we can also save for bigger purchases if desired.
Getting the final debt payment paid off though....... there's no feeling like it, finally knowing that all your monthly income is your own money. 
F

Honeysucklelou2

Love the idea of 50 walks before your 50th. Sounds lovely watching the dawn rise at the beach. All the best with the debt busting and saving.

DrCarrie

Thankyou @foxgloves & @Honeysucklelou2

The personal spending and walks, all bid for a more simplified and focussed apprciatuin of life, beauty, and a strong body.

With that in mind I became a member of the Tate yesterday, this might be my last year of being in striking distance of London, and booked a members 'time' for an immersive exhibition I have really wanted to see but not been able to get 'general' tickets for. Delighted. Then a coffee in the member's area.