15months to debt free - I hope

ladyholly

Well I thought it was time I started a diary having put my two pennorth into several others.

Brief bit about me. I am a retired careworker having done other things as well. I have a husband who has mental health issues and 3 old dogs. A 15 year oldJack Russell X who has heart and kidney failure so I am not sure how long we will have her, a staffie X who is very timid, in fact the rescue we got her from said they had never had such a frightened dog. She is approx 13 although as she was a stray we really dont know and an 11year old Border Collie who is giving us real problems at the moment as he is waking between 4.30 and 5.30 and wont settle again. He is at the vet tomorrow to make sure he is physically ok and then we will try just shutting him in the lounge and ignoring the barks (he normally sleeps in the bedroom with the others. We have tried other things but are running out of ideas.

  We had several debts up to about three years ago but they have been paid off with the help of this site and numerous peoples diaries. Th only debt we have left is for a conservatory which is a replacement for a very old one which was leaking and the roof was gradually sliding down to meet the guttering to the point where if it rained very heavily it poured in under the roof. We owe just over £2200 and I am trying to pay it off this year.

I am looking to reduce our living expenses but am not very good at haggling on the phone so am going to have to take a deep breath and just do it. Am in the process of changing my phone provider for a much better deal but cannot get the sim card out so will have to take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

I find budgeting hard as we dont have one pay day a month. State pension comes weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesday, I have a small NHS pension which is paid monthly on the 7th and DH has a very small pension which is paid around the 24th of the month. DD are spread through the month to account for the different pay days.

I am in the process of selling stuff on ebay that has been left to me by relatives but am reaching the end of it. This money is all going to the loan but as the stuff is not worth much it is slow going but does help.

I am also fight GWR for  a refund on a ticket that they charged me the wrong price for. Going to the station on Thursday to see if they can help as customer services have been useless.

Sorry this was supposed to be brief but I think it covers everthing.

Blackcats

Lovely to see that you have your own diary.  

ladyholly

Thank you. I thought it was past time. 

ladyholly

Just back from the vet. Nothing physical found but it may be very early dementia but too soon to treat. Bank account is £40.00 lighter. 
Had an eb** sale last night so a little bit more for the loan.
Hope everyone's day is OK. 

teaandcupcakesplease

Morning ! well done starting the diary.  I can understand why it would be difficult to organise finances with the different pay days you have.... im not sure i would manage that so well done! ill be following on your journey xx

foxgloves

Hello @ladyholly - How nice that you have started your own diary for additional motivation. I know you have commented on mine in the past, all comments welcome, I always say! It must be harder to budget when you don't have a set pay-day. I think it is the tight routines re all things financial which help get us debt-free then keep us solvent, but you will get there & it's a good feeling when it happens. I also sold lots of bits & pieces on the site you mention when we were debt busting. We didn't have anything valuable either, but as you say, it does all add up & every extra £ paid off a debt is a £ nearer getting rid of the blimming thing! You will get there. Good luck!
F x

ladyholly

Thank you teaandcupcakesplease and foxgloves. Nice to hear from you. Today I joined gardeners world on line as I am trying to grow some of our veg. We only have a small garden and about 1/3 of is filled with a trailer tent which we arent sure how to get rid of. It sits at the back of the garage which although it has a back door the garage itself is full of aa classic car that cant/doesnt move - dont ask. The only way I can see of moving the thing is to dismantle it but it would be a huge job and neither of us is that fit. However I do have quite a few tubs, lots of flower pots and at the end of last year I bought a mini greenhouse so I live in hope. I should add that what I know about growing veg could be written on a postage stamp still nil desperandum I am sure we will get something.

Sun_Addict

Lovely to see you have your own diary after your support on many others, including mine. Have subscribed to cheer you on.

ladyholly

Thank you SA. I get around to things eventually. I dont think it will be the most exciting diary as we lead very quiet lives other than the dogs, however it will keep me on track as paying extra on the loan is getting more difficult as prices are rising.

I was very lucky with energy as I renewed our contract in October with a 2 year fixed rate. It went up by £25.00 a month but that is peanuts in the present climate. I am hoping things may have sorted themselves out a bit before then. In the meantime I am investing in some thermal underwear for next winter.

laurajones81

Good luck with your journey. It takes time but it’s worth it!

ladyholly

Thank you laurajones81.
Well the money saving has not gone well today. I have sorted the refund for my rail ticket that I was overcharged for. It apparently takes up to two weeks to reach my bank account!!!! Strange that they take the fare straight away. Still it's on its way. After that money leaked. I bought a new phone. My existing one is not working properly and can't be repaired, then I saw some thermal underwear for dh reduced from £50 to £35. When I got to the till it was only £25 so a good price but still money spent. Will come into its own next winter.
Then a new blanket for the sofa to keep me warm but another£10. Also got ne***** coffee £5 for a large jar. So lots of money out but saving money in the long run. Well  except the phone but that was 2nd hand so not too pricey.
Will look at bank account later.