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Would you do it?

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GreenCat80
GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
edited 30 March 2022 at 6:19PM in Debt-free wannabe
I’ve just gone through my budget for April and I can almost afford to pay off my last two debts (full and final settlement offers) next month. 

If I trim down my entertainment budget to £0, and halve my grocery budget I can do it (I’m about £250 short atm) 

I really want to do it but I feel guilty for having such a tight month especially over the Easter holidays (I have 3 children) 

So would you do it? Or would you save up a bit longer? 

ETA I do have about £700 in my emergency fund, obviously I want to keep that (for emergencies 😂) but it’s there if I need it
Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



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Comments

  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Could you clear one of the debts next month? and then save for the last one?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • GreenCat80
    GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    RAS said:
    Could you clear one of the debts next month? and then save for the last one?
    Both the f&f offers expire in April, the biggest one on about the 14th, and the other I have 30 days from today 😬
    Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



  • GreenCat80
    GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Actually I’d only need to take my grocery budget down by about 1/3rd and I do have a pretty full store cupboard…
    Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



  • Rob5342
    Rob5342 Posts: 2,416 Forumite
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    edited 30 March 2022 at 7:08PM
    I wouldn't want to do it if it iwas so tight that I had to cut down on my groceries. I'd do the big one and save a bit more for the other one later. They'll want you to think it's a limited time offer, but the chances are they'll offer you something else later on.
  • GreenCat80
    GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Rob5342 said:
    I wouldn't want to do it if it iwas so tight that I had to cut down on my groceries. I'd do the big one and save a bit more for the other one later. They'll want you to think it's a limited time offer, but the chances are they'll offer you something else later on.
    Thanks, I think you’re probably right. I’d planned to do the big one in April, but the (smaller) last debt (I’ve been looking for it for a few months) turned up in my letter box today and thrown my plan off. I’m trying to get a better deal out of them anyway so hopefully I can stretch it out a bit and the offer will still be there on my next payday 🤞🏻
    Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,864 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    Full & final deadlines are just there to concentrate your mind. On defaulted debts you can make an offer at any time,

    If this is an offer that came from the creditor you should be aware that it's just an 'opening offer' and they expect some negotiation.
  • GreenCat80
    GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    fatbelly said:
    Full & final deadlines are just there to concentrate your mind. On defaulted debts you can make an offer at any time,

    If this is an offer that came from the creditor you should be aware that it's just an 'opening offer' and they expect some negotiation.
    Thanks Fatbelly, it’s taken me since December to negotiate the F&F on the biggest debt, so I really don’t want to miss that deadline (it’s only a 20% reduction but I’m pretty sure I won’t get a better offer)
    The smaller debt I only started on today and so far they’ve offered about £275 on a £350ish balance.  I’ve offered £100 and said I can pay within 30 days 😬 I’m not sure when I’ll hear if they accept or reject my offer…
    Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



  • GreenCat80
    GreenCat80 Posts: 268 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thanks everyone, I don’t have anyone to talk these things over with at the moment so your input is invaluable. You’re all right, I shouldn’t skint us to pay off that extra debt, it was already going to be a tough month, I shouldn’t make it tighter just to get rid of an old debt a few weeks quicker. I do think I’ll clear out my wardrobe and see what old toys are up in the loft and put bits on eBay/Facebook though, you never know 😁🤞🏻
    Debt was £15,903 😬 Now £2718.14 £0 😲🥳



  • enthusiasticsaver
    enthusiasticsaver Posts: 16,051 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I think personally that if you have a full store cupboard and an emergency fund I would get rid of the bigger debt if you don’t think they will accept lower and see if you can negotiate down on the other one. 
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

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