Reducing the Overwhelm and Digging Myself Out of This Rut!

Taking_back_control

Morning, 
First day back at school here, so just bracing myself for the morning chaos  - it’s going to be a real effort after a very chilled couple of weeks.

Moneywise, not a great deal to report. I’ve set up my budgeting spreadsheet along with a spending log so I can identify the key areas we can cut back on and am updating both daily. It really is frightening how £2 here and there add up so rapidly.

I cleared my purse out and found a £20 gift card for a return I made before Christmas - I very nearly chucked it away 🤦‍♀️. I also checked my nectar account and had £7.50 to use, so these combined have covered the cost of a desperately needed washing basket and 2 x birthday party gifts (I think that’s them all covered for January now!). I also ordered a gift for a friends birthday in March  with boots points. Should have been £35, reduced to half price and had enough point to cover it! It’s amazing how quick and easily these loyalty schemes can be optimised.

I realise that it seems I’m going in about birthday gifts a lot - it’s not that I buy for loads of friends, it’s just those that I do buy for and family birthdays seem to be clustered into the first 3 months of the year! Couple this with the endless party invites DS has received for January alone makes it an expensive time!

Right, I best jump in the shower before I need to drag DS out of bed. Have a good day x

Taking_back_control

Morning - can’t believe over a week has gone by since I last updated. Hope 2023 is treating everyone well so far.

 Not a massive amount to report. I’m slowly on a mission to declutter and organise the house. As an output of this I’m hoping they’ll be lots of things to sell and money made to put towards my financial freedom plan 😊.

Baby steps taken since last login…..
1. DS bedroom decluttered. Big baskets of decent outgrown clothes to try and sell on fb/ Vinted. Some toys / books sorted. Will split the proceeds of the toys and books 50:50 with him as an incentive to declutter!
2. £450 paid to VCc which clears the outstanding amount on a balance transfer that 0% was due to run out during January.
3. £307.71 paid to Bcc.
3. £108 sent to next account which clears it.
4. Small eBay sale of £9.47
5. £12 off voucher used for supermarket shop

Next steps…..

I have 2 x BT 0% periods coming to an end at the beginning of June. 

V = £3921.61
B= £2233.90

My primary aim is to clear the BCc BT total by the time the 0% period runs out. If I manage this before June the focus will shift to VCc. Mid May I will then look for a 0% BT deal to allow a bit of breathing space (assuming the transfer fee is less than the interest I’ll pay to clear it over realistic time frame). 

CL21

Following along - your goals seem very sensible and achievable. I got paid on 16th December so January really does seem like it’s been here forever 🤣 Totally agree about the loyalty card. Going to try and save my points to use at the end of the year this year and fund some presents that way 

Taking_back_control

Morning,
Currently I that awkward period where I’m eagerly awaiting pay day! January is always such a challenge 😞.
Not a huge amount to report from a debt busting point of view, but baby steps are being made elsewhere. I used some Christmas money to sign up for Slimming World. Whilst I don’t necessarily agree with all that it preaches, I know I need the weekly accountability in terms of a weigh in. I’ve  paid upfront for 6 weeks an have lost 7lb at my first weigh in 😊.  Need to keep up my current level of motivation.

I used the very cold weekend as an excuse to get our bedroom decluttered. One bin liner of rubbish, one of charity shop fodder and another for me to sell on. Pleased with the progress, that’s DS bedroom, ours and the utility room done since beginning of the year. Next on the hit list is the airing cupboard- wish me luck 🤣.

Right best sign off and get ready for work. Happy Monday x 

Taking_back_control

Wow, my poor diary has really been neglected 😢

I have been plodding along in the background, but progress has really been of the baby steps variety.

Wins in the last 4 weeks: 
1. Paid outright for car insurance using money from council tax break. £30 cashback plus a years meerkat movies etc.
2. House pretty much decluttered. Now have a huge pile of things to sell. This is my next step! 

3. £60 made in Amazon giftcards via a TikTok promotion, spent on birthday present, item for pony to replace existing one that had broken and still have £10 left.
4. £25 fb sale directed straight to cc.
5. £11 cashback payout directed straight to cc.
6. Great North Run ballot place confirmed - ultimate incentive to get myself moving again! 

The not so great…..
I dropped my phone 🤦‍♀️. Contract ends June. I was planning on going sim only and keeping the handset, but now both front and back have shattered, so will cost a pretty penny to replace. The touch screen also keeps leaping about. Been looking at cheap deals but will limp in until June. I have £85 in airtime rewards that I haven’t been able to use with my current provider, so will opt for one that is supported and hopefully it will cover my bills for most of the remainder of the year. Currently leaning towards o2 to take advantage of their rewards. 

Right best get moving. Have a great weekend x

Humdinger1

You are doing brilliantly @Taking_back_control...please congratulate yourself on your mindset change and all the ways you're putting that into practice.   Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx