Freedom and Independence.

backinbusiness

@BudgetingBelinda - great diary; pithy, short posts which I really enjoy.  I'm delurking to ask about the car, (unless I've missed an update, but I don't think so).  Did you get that checked out / fixed?  Or have you opted for the old turn up the volume method lol.  Good luck and sounds like you've really got all this under control.  BiB x 

BudgetingBelinda

backinbusiness said:

@BudgetingBelinda - great diary; pithy, short posts which I really enjoy.  I'm delurking to ask about the car, (unless I've missed an update, but I don't think so).  Did you get that checked out / fixed?  Or have you opted for the old turn up the volume method lol.  Good luck and sounds like you've really got all this under control.  BiB x 

Thank you! I pumped up tyres and did up the radio in the car and all seems fine now 🤣🫣🎉 it’s an old VW so I’m hoping it just keeps on trucking! Was going to book into garage this week but I’m going to try and hold out til April hols! Need it for school runs work etc etc and only roll around my town now so hopefully it will keep rolling til Easter check up!? Then perhaps it will be slightly prepped for MOT in July 🫣🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
thanks for reading! Xx

BudgetingBelinda

Decluttering the wardrobe in spare room turned into decluttering the whole spare room. DS2 might move into it, bedding shopping tomorrow and 🤞🏼 transition to his own room now. He’s been like a boomerang into my room! DS1 is also now hankering over the spare room as it has a small double bed in it. 

Didn’t actually clear out wardrobe in there 🫣and alot of what I cleared out is now in the hallway/dining room and on the to do list! Productive day! And a little beach time with the boys and puppy 🥰🥳🎉 now for a chill eve and turning the lights off in the dining room for future Belinda to deal with! 💪🏼

BudgetingBelinda

Been a busy few weeks! Got an updated credit report and my score has gone up! Debt still coming down! Decluttering is ongoing, spare room is now a bedroom again and not an oversized cupboard! Still quite a bit of sorting of what came out of there but mainly just organising now, sorted lots to the charity shop and lots of rubbish. Wish I could pay off some
more steps but had some hefty bills. 28.5 steps/100 at the moment. About £4.5k to go! Having a little trip to London next month and eldest birthday and Easter hols, so will have to be patient and careful if I am to overpay this month and next. Hopefully I’ll get to over pay a couple of steps. Groceries are still my downfall. I am hoping to do better this month as cutting down on those little shops and big shops! I have enough in the freezer to tide me/us over for dinners now for a while! 

Slow and steady this month! But oh so hopeful to be debt free by October 🤞🏼 the dream was by August but that’s becoming a bit 😬 out of out reach! The ideal was October and the most realistic was December! But that has come down from April 2025, so I’ve shaved off 4 months of debt payments so far. And I think October could be the month now! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 
The months are flying by! Just need the money to keep up 😬🫠

BudgetingBelinda

It’s my day off. I used to speed around, doing the shop, cleaning, washing, batch cooking etc.. all under the illusion it would set me up/get me ahead! Sometimes it does I’ll admit! But sometimes I felt like I was unable to relax, or take the time I need to slow down.. so what I’m lately doing is relaxing, getting some me time. And then when I feel rested I seem to get a bit antsy and do those things that catch me up anyway. I think the de cluttering has given space for this break off of the hamster wheel. Paying debt off and budgeting and being more mindful also eases the stress of life a lot. To see that debt coming down every month and being in control of it is really wonderful. Still have my fingers crossed I can do overpayments to get me debt free in October. Also just enjoying life so much more. After April 1st payment to DMP my debt will be under £4000! It will start with a 3! Can’t wait to see that, I was quickly heading for over 20k debt when I turned it around. I started off so slowly with DMP 100pm payments and paying off utilities that had built up. Felt like pushing a huge boulder along, took a while to get some momentum. Now I’m rolling towards the finish line, doing a little skip sometimes! 🎉💪🏼🤞🏼

BudgetingBelinda

Been feeling flu like for two days. 

Really big bills this month so not much of a buffer at all at the moment! However I took the opportunity of being ill and bored to phone the water company and got a credit refund of £160 coming my way and lowered my derect debit. 

Much needed! 

Hopefully it swings in my account sooner rather than later, freezer supplies are dwindling. 

Tough month this month. Also next month is going to be tricky to overpay with lots going on. I need to hang in there! Eye on the prize 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🎉🎉

debtfreewannabe321

BudgetingBelinda said:

 so what I’m lately doing is relaxing, getting some me time. And then when I feel rested I seem to get a bit antsy and do those things that catch me up anyway. I think the de cluttering has given space for this break off of the hamster wheel. Paying debt off and budgeting and being more mindful also eases the stress of life a lot. To see that debt coming down every month and being in control of it is really wonderful. 

Love this even if worst case scenario you don't pay it off early, this time next year you will be debt free anyway!
I hope you're feeling better soon. I think we all need some sunshine and heat personally that would help us all feel better

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hi, great work on the decluttering, hopefully DS will settle well! Sorry you aren't feeling well, but fab on the refund from water! Relaxing is just as important as doing, so well done for prioritising downtime!

BudgetingBelinda

Aimingforthegoodlife said:

Hi, great work on the decluttering, hopefully DS will settle well! Sorry you aren't feeling well, but fab on the refund from water! Relaxing is just as important as doing, so well done for prioritising downtime!

Thank you! Downtime has been forced due to the lurgy but feeling better and back in the game today! Lots of chores and lots of chills!

BudgetingBelinda

@debtfreewannabe321 I agree about the sunshine! ☀️ so needed! Thanks!
I got some rays this morning on the dog walk! Felt much better for it 🙌🏼