Becoming debt free within 18 months

Getridofdebt66

Productive day today, took dd to club, £3 spent, collected shopping, cooked dinner, found a cake i had brought before xmas so had that for desert, plenty of turkey left for sandwiches tomorrow for work and school, didn't get petrol but I will tomorrow.

My mum is collecting dd after school and offered to cook tea...another meal i havent got to use. I still need to do meal plan but will do that tomorrow night along with some admin bits. I changed some dds today this month will be very tight but i am hopeful it will go through. Didnt get decorating supplies as a blind that blocks out the sun im living room broke, had to get a scrubbing brush to make it upto the voucher, £1.32 spent for both, oh will collect tomorrow and put up this week. 

We have been discussing what we want decorated and in what order today, oh said in the next couple of weeks he will do the hall and kitchen, i am looking forward to it. I am hoping he may pay for the gloss so he can get it done sooner if not I will wait for my next big survey that should be in around 2 weeks time.

Off for a quick bath then I may do the shopping list if not i will relax on the sofa as everything i needed to do (except sandwiches) is done. 

I also want to go onto survey sites and start withdrawing what i have and make a start on some surveys to get some more pennies. The cash ones I want to put into my other bank and the vouchers can pay for anything that creeps up with dd in the month. I have also started thinking about September school uniform, I will look on the Minted app from March to see if I can find anything suitable in good condition to try and bring that cost down...

Madusa

I just wanted to say I have really enjoyed reading your story.  I think you have achieved a lot in a year.

Getridofdebt66

Thank you @Madusa i am glad you enjoyed my story, really it has onlynjust begun but I will keep going. I am using my diary as a way to try and see the light at the end of the tunnel and to keep my focus, coming on here really helps me unload and try and keep myself in check!

Getridofdebt66

Yesterday was a lsd, £20 petrol and 69p on milk for work.

Today has been a lsd again £5 for dinners at work and £6 on parking for an event in a few days, cheaper and easier than the train.

All food from stores except lunch today at work but it filled me up for most of the night so i had something light.

I have been thinking about the past 12 months today and I am proud of myself, i am still in debt, I am still skint but this time last year I was still as skint but had rent arrears trying to juggle everything, more debt and just generally financially out of control, i was in denile. I am not sure I would have been mentally stable enough to approach the high cost of living we have now in that mentality, thats how far in 12 months I have come. I am looking forward to working hard towards the next 12 months and hopefully where it may end.

CL21

Great attitude - the mental hurdles of debt are the biggest challenge!

Wanna_Bee_Free

I've just read your diary from the start and wanted to post and say how well you are doing, especially with everything you juggle to get done. Your lists made me tired just reading them! Congratulations on not spending all this year paying for last Christmas - you've come a long way.

There was a time you mentioned claiming expenses for your travel and I wondered if you got anything back there at all?

Getridofdebt66

Thank you @CL21 and @Wanna_Bee_Free for your kind messages.

CL i am trying to be positive and also reflecting on the positive to keep me going as i know myself, if i lose sight of it it will all go wrong! 

Wanna bee free - thank you, i read back through my posts when i need to see how far i have come and my lists must be so boring to read..they bore me! But again its to keep my focused when i forget i come back on and see what else i need to do, once work calms down a bit i will be focusing on my lists again, atm it is just ticking over! I never actually claimed anything back, the woman who writes them off isnt the nicest so i am a bit scared tbh, need to look into it soon though, when i am brave enough! January did seem like a long month but not having debt from Christmas certainly has a nice feel to it, i am hoping to get used to it!

Getridofdebt66

Payday is here! Whilst it is mostly going out on bills it does feel nice there being something in there. Big food shop done £180 spent, some bits i am not happy with...wild substitutions again so will call up tomorrow to discuss, i have £120 left for the month.

I had a message from my dad, he is sending me a cheque for my birthday, no idea how much even just £1 i would be happy with, it can go on debt busting, i also have a meal next month £10 paid, the rest is being paid by company except drinks so will keep a little aside for some drinks but I will drive anyway as it is a lot in taxis that i cant justify.

I am also trying to plan the next holiday and some things to do with dd, will get looking at plans.

Oh has treated us to a takeaway, he has also brought some clippers for the dog so we will try the weekend to give him a cut, cost £19 but its £45 in the groomers so will pay for itself.

Some more good news, had £150 off energy bill, will reduce down some of the debt, every little helps.

I can also withdraw some free shares next month so extra in the pot, as it is cash I will transfer it over to my make in £2023 pot for essentials, i also want to have a go at some more surveys over the weekend.

Tomorrow i have work and food from stores and a relaxing night at the end of a long week, i am not doing much tomorrow, i will ask oh to collect my blind tomorrow and hopefully he will put it up! 

As it is the end of the week, i just want to relax!

Wanna_Bee_Free

That all sounds really positive - well done. Great to hear your OH is looking for ways to reduce spends too, that makes a huge difference. If you pick the right scary look for the dog perhaps they can  terrify the nasty woman into giving you the expenses you are entitled to - a punky Mohawk perhaps? :-)

Have a lovely relaxing weekend!

Getridofdebt66

@Wanna_Bee_Free it is good that oh is on board, he is more careful with the energy than me, thats his goal for the next month to bring it down.. 

I am not sure anything can scare the woman who holds the purse strings at work, scary is an understatement 😳 

We have ordered the clippers, hoping it goes well, tbh he is a good dog so should be ok, we also got some good dog shampoo but it will pay for itself after the first cut...tbh after half his body is cut we will be winning! 

Hope you have a nice weekend too and a money saving one...we all need that in these times!