Freedom and Independence.

BudgetingBelinda

Woke early this morning after a good night sleep. The sun was shining so went for a dog walk, would have liked to go for longer but still lethargic after lurgy. Also wanted to pace myself to try and get some things done around the house. With anything is a bonus mentality I resisted the urge to collapse on the sofa after dog walk and chores were completed. 

Also mowed the lawn… First time this year! The garden is small but lots of growth from all over so not particularly low maintenance. I thought it would be a massive job to get it a bit tidy.. but it really wasn’t. Just a quick mow and little tidy up. Probably only 30mins. Why do those jobs seems so big sometimes? I love how satisfying it is afterwards too. And I know already I will have forgotten I did it… and be happily surprised and satisfied again when I see the fresh cut lawn and tidy-er garden in the morning! 

Another win of being home, ill and increasingly bored this week (aside from the credit refund from the water company) was sorting out vouchers, Clubcard and others! Turns out I had £89 Clubcard vouchers to used and £89 other vouchers!!! 🎉🎉 used them wisely and have some left but that definitely came at the right time this month. I *think* I could be on for the lowest spent (of my actual money) on groceries pm for a long time! 

Plan for the near future
• keep decluttering, still hallway to sort, utility room, potter in the garden to keep on top of it. And in the house!
• no takeaway this month 
• lowest spent on groceries pm since… ? (Find out!) 
• if the above two points happen then perhaps one overpayment/step by the end of the month 😅😬🤞🏼

^must check back in about this at the end of the month as I already fancy a takeaway and want to buy loads of food 🙄😬😅😵‍💫😩

stay strong, stay focused (eye of the tiger song plays)

debtfreewannabe321

wow on those clubcard vouchers!! I never seem to amount mine to much, I might have £3 if i am lucky then I spend it

BudgetingBelinda

debtfreewannabe321 said:

wow on those clubcard vouchers!! I never seem to amount mine to much, I might have £3 if i am lucky then I spend it

I think I just forgot! No willpower involved! Hence Tesco now all gone (with upcoming shopping delivery tomorrow) & I have £29 left for some treat M&S meals this weekend 🎉

BudgetingBelinda

The end of my working week!
Weekend is looking like fun but I want to fit in as much chill as possible too and some decluttering. 

Overpayed 1.5 steps today to take me to 30/100 steps paid off. That felt good! Going to colour in my number square excitedly in a mo! If I can at least carry on like this then I’ll be halfway in two months! And done in October. 🤞🏼 it’s feeling possible at the moment! Hope it can continue! I SO want to be debt freeeeeeee!

BudgetingBelinda

Just reflecting.. when I reached 20k debt I started looking at secured loans against my house. I was close to getting one. Then I did DMP with Payplan. I almost risked the roof over my kids head for this debt that built up from a very tough time and horrible relationship. I’m so so happy to be almost rid of the debt. To have my house, to have a secure home not secured loan! And almost freeeeee! 🎉 hanging on tight for the rest of the month and hoping to do another overpayment. I will get me debt free asap. 

House is clean, fridge and freezer full, a week before payday, I’ve overpaid my debt again, and I’m feeling thankful and proud. It’s little steps, commitment, keeping your eye on the prize, strong boundaries and giving yourself as much of a break as a push. Balance. Mindfulness. I’m here for it these days. It’s been a long journey. In a week and a
day my debt will be below 4k, which will be the first time for over two decades I think. Maybe more. I’ve never been so in control of my finances. I’m not at all out of the woods, still feel the stress and make silly decisions with £’s but it is actually coming together. Something has changed and I see a much better future. 

debtfreewannabe321

BudgetingBelinda said:

Just reflecting.. when I reached 20k debt I started looking at secured loans against my house. I was close to getting one. Then I did DMP with Payplan. I almost risked the roof over my kids head for this debt that built up from a very tough time and horrible relationship. I’m so so happy to be almost rid of the debt. To have my house, to have a secure home not secured loan! And almost freeeeee! 🎉 hanging on tight for the rest of the month and hoping to do another overpayment. I will get me debt free asap. 

House is clean, fridge and freezer full, a week before payday, I’ve overpaid my debt again, and I’m feeling thankful and proud. It’s little steps, commitment, keeping your eye on the prize, strong boundaries and giving yourself as much of a break as a push. Balance. Mindfulness. I’m here for it these days. It’s been a long journey. In a week and a
day my debt will be below 4k, which will be the first time for over two decades I think. Maybe more. I’ve never been so in control of my finances. I’m not at all out of the woods, still feel the stress and make silly decisions with £’s but it is actually coming together. Something has changed and I see a much better future. 

Love this post

BudgetingBelinda

Thanks you xx debtfreewannabe321 said:

BudgetingBelinda said:

Just reflecting.. when I reached 20k debt I started looking at secured loans against my house. I was close to getting one. Then I did DMP with Payplan. I almost risked the roof over my kids head for this debt that built up from a very tough time and horrible relationship. I’m so so happy to be almost rid of the debt. To have my house, to have a secure home not secured loan! And almost freeeeee! 🎉 hanging on tight for the rest of the month and hoping to do another overpayment. I will get me debt free asap. 

House is clean, fridge and freezer full, a week before payday, I’ve overpaid my debt again, and I’m feeling thankful and proud. It’s little steps, commitment, keeping your eye on the prize, strong boundaries and giving yourself as much of a break as a push. Balance. Mindfulness. I’m here for it these days. It’s been a long journey. In a week and a
day my debt will be below 4k, which will be the first time for over two decades I think. Maybe more. I’ve never been so in control of my finances. I’m not at all out of the woods, still feel the stress and make silly decisions with £’s but it is actually coming together. Something has changed and I see a much better future. 

Love this post

Woooop 🥳 feeling excited!

BudgetingBelinda

I spent £8 ‘eating out/takeaways’ this month! That was one cafe stop with friends/kids. 

I’ve checked through my table of eating out and groceries per month which goes back to 2020. And the last time I spent so little on that was Feb 2020 £8, only beaten by April 2020 where I spent £0. Lockdown was the reason for these low numbers. 4 years later and willpower and mindset is the reason. Looks like the first month since 2020 lockdown I haven’t ordered a takeaway/eaten out. 

I’ve just sent £30/0.5 steps to DMP to celebrate! 

debtfreewannabe321

That's brilliant!! This year has also been my win for takeaways too!! I did a 'dry' jan, only it wasn't on alcohol it was on takeaways I had one in Feb for my birthday and none in March too ....April is looking set for none too, they are just too expensive when you have to buy for 4  

BudgetingBelinda

38/100 steps. Less than 4k debt now! Just awaiting my DMP balance to update after my April payment. Total debt will now begin with 3!🎉 
Still spending too much generally. Lots of outgoings this month. But I think I say that every month?! 

Still, if I can do 10 steps a month and keep up this momentum at least, then I’ll be free in October. 6months to go! 🎉