Debt free by 50 (Dec 2023), 1 day at a time

Mliz

LMD - hopefully I will get it run down to restock like you are doing.

This week I’ve been listing on Vinted and eBay.. just 1 or 2 items but I’ve managed to sell 3 things which I will put into my savings challenge.  I’ve 2 things listed on eBay for £25 each and it would be amazing if they sold.

LittleMissDetermined

Evening Mliz. I much prefer selling on Vinted to eBay. There are no fees for starters and no PayPal charges either. I stopped selling on there when I realised I was paying them a percentage of my postage costs which I couldn’t amend.  Never been back since!

Hope your items sell! 🤞🏻

Mliz

Hi LMD - I feel the same, Vinted is so much easier and hopefully I will list a few more things today.

I sent a bit extra to my Tesco loan the other week and I got a letter showing how much interest I saved so my focus is now putting all extra payments to loan because the Barclaycard is interest free. I was treating both debts the same but I can now see advantage of paying more to Tesco.

I had £9 and some pennies left from my weekly spends this week and £4 and the pennies went into my penny challenge pot and then I added the £5 to £20 of Vinted sales and added it to my £500 savings challenge I’ve also started.

I did have a spend that was more a need than a want - I got some black ankle boots from Next because I don’t have any formal boots. I could have stuck with my flat black boots but I wanted something more professional for work (that’s my excuse ☺️).

Today will be cleaning and tidying and I’m going to prepare 1 Xmas cake for baking tomorrow 😊

Mliz

Morning

I’ve had a stressful week but things feel like they are improving. yesterday I took my Mum to a hospital appointment and we were braced for bad news. She has been sick for a year and it looks like some form of cancer but she finally met her consultant person to person yesterday and the consultant doesn’t know what is causing mum’s symptoms. Thankfully she ruled out various blood cancers and it leaves possibly 1 type of cancer which might require an operation - so more tests are ahead. I know that she could still have cancer and she is still sick but she is improving.

So because I now know that I will not have to take Mum for chemo this side of Xmas, I'm going to go ahead and book my holiday. My sister already agreed to keep an eye on mum while I’m away (which she would do without asking) but I wouldn’t have wanted to go away if she was getting treatment.

Money  - I sold 1 item on eBay and I got £21 after postage and expenses. I put the £20 straight into my £500 savings binder. I still have the other item which has sold but the person hasn’t paid for it so I will invoice them again and if I don’t hear anything I will sell it on Vinted.

I’m going to go Christmas shopping today and hopefully get most of the shopping done and out of the way. I will have to go through holiday clothes box to see where everything is - I know I need mossie repellant and sun cream but shouldn’t need anything else. Tomorrow I’m meeting a friend for coffee.

LittleMissDetermined

What a stressful situation for both you and your poor mum. I'm so glad they have been able to rule out some cancers and I really hope it's something else causing the symptoms. You deserve your January holiday, let us know where you decide to go! 

Well done on the eBay sale, very annoying when buyers don't pay! I think that's why I like Vinted as they have to pay straight away.
LMD x

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on your progress and I think it is sensible to find a balance between throwing everything at debt and keeping some back for lifestyle. Well done on getting below £13k

Something which helps me not give in to impulse buys is that if I buy new clothes/bags etc I get rid of one I no longer use. So the decision often involves thinking of what I don’t need any more and takes longer so by the time I have thought it through the craving to buy has gone. 

Mliz

Thanks LMD & ES. I like the one in one out tip and will give it a go.

The eBay seller paid up and I will post the parcel today and I have 2 jackets on Vinted and 1 I just got an offer on. I’m starting to enjoy the the Vinted sales and hopefully that will be another £30 to my savings binder.

I also got a place in the Dublin marathon yesterday … yikes - it is Oct next year. I’m a slow plodder and have a dodgy knee but I did a marathon in April in 6 hours…. and I’d like to improve on that but it took a lot of strength work which I’ve been slacking on. My knee was on fire last night so had to take a pain killer so I’m hoping this will help me focus on getting my strength and stamina up.

im meeting my friend for breakfast this morning and I have a few tiny bits to get to almost finish my Xmas pressies. I’m still not sure what to get my Mum but I know what I’m getting for everyone else. 

Will spend time now getting inspiration from diaryland.

LittleMissDetermined

Well done in getting a place in the marathon, there’s time to strengthen that knee yet and train to improve on your time 
LMD x

Mliz

Thanks LMDx

Morning all, I’ve been tinkering with my budget this morning and I think that I can be debt free by my 50th next December if I stop frittering and stick to my budget.  I suppose we are all looking towards old years end and what the new year has in store but I would like to move into my 50th year debt free.  I know that life can throw a spanner or 2 in the works but I can’t plan for those and instead let’s hope whatever pitfalls are along the way they aren’t too painful.

I have most of my Xmas shopping done, but my sister and family will be home just before Xmas so my Xmas budget will be gone but at least I had it in the first place.

I still have to drag out the holiday box from under the bed but I think I just need sun cream and mossie repellant. I’m going to ring my local clinic and see if I can get a covid booster otherwise I think I will need to pay for a pre departure test and because I’m hoping to fly out just after Xmas it might be difficult getting the test.  I will also need a holiday visa.

I have no boss today so I’m hoping I can finally get my ducks in order in work so that I don’t feel like I’m permanently playing catch up. Have a good Monday all 😊

LittleMissDetermined

Mliz said:.

I have most of my Xmas shopping done, but my sister and family will be home just before Xmas so my Xmas budget will be gone but at least I had it in the first place.

Amen to this!! It makes all the difference doesn't it?