No more debt, now what? Searching for happiness.

itsthelittlethings

So here's my old debt diary 

Getting rid of that debt in 24 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

I've paid off the debt and am working on changing my habits to make sure I don't run up any more and more importantly spent intentionally and feel in control of my money. I record all my spends and work to a zero budget. This month things are a bit short, as I paid off the last of my debt when I got paid, but I'm going to work hard to make sure I don't put anything on a credit card or take anything out of savings. I'm also doing a pantry challenge where I eat up as much as I can out of my cupboards and freezer this month.

Having a good weekend this weekend, not too many spends. Just off for a coffee with a friend in a minute. No cake as I've started a weight management programme through the GP which is also going well. I thought I'd start this diary while I'm waiting to go out instead of doing the washing up. More later!

[Deleted User]

Good luck.

Skint_yet_Again

Well done on paying off your debt. Hope you enjoyed your meet up with your friend. Cake is my downfall. Good luck with your weight loss and eating from stores. 

Doris17

Well done on paying for the debt. 

Good luck with the weight lose and pantry challenge.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Well done on paying off your debt - I hope to be not too far behind you! 

Aiming for March 2025 but ideally I would love it gone by December 2024!

Once that is paid my focus is going to switch to paying off my mortgage early, saving and being a bit more spend savvy.

MovingForwards

Well done clearing your debt, happiness naturally follows as do lists for aims and goals.

itsthelittlethings

I am doing well.  I cancelled my short break to London for September.  I got all the money back for the accommodation.  I'll be sorry not to go but with the spending money it was too much.

I had a spending day yesterday.  Popped into town to pick up a few things and ended up doing a bit of shopping.  It's amazing how that money flies out of your  wallet.  I did buy a handmade bag at the local craft market for my knitting project.  I had one but I have it at work with my lunchtime project in do I've been looking for another.  I got shampoo. I get this stuff from S44perdrug called Monday. It's £8 for a big shampoo and the same for a big conditioner.  I like to use refills but these leave my hair silky soft and smooth. I. The afternoon I went to an art gallery and the park with my friend.  She drove and I bought the McFlurries!

August will be quiet. No trips away and work is quiet. I should do some training while I can. Santander have some free training as I've done everything good offered by LinkedIn through work.  I applied to do the Santander MBA Essentials but the assessment was very taxing.  Memo to self, get on one of the courses on Monday!

I made piccalilli last weekend.  I have four jars, three to give away and one for me. I get heartburn so I can't eat all 4. I made aubergine pickle and ate some but had to give the rest away on the Olio app. I had a massive clear out on Okio yesterday.  I'm picking up a pizza stone tomorrow,  I make dough in my bread maker, yum.

I am still waging war against my coffee spends.

itsthelittlethings

Yesterdays spends

Coffee £2
Coffee with friend £12

Not too bad.

I’m thinking about doing a cookery class at the local adult education. There’s bread making and a noodle class. Bread making is £70 but noodles is £43 as it’s only a day school. Noodles it is I guess.

itsthelittlethings

I’ve got about £150 left until I get paid. Should be manageable. I’m getting a veg box delivered on Friday which will form the basis of most of the rest of my meals along with the freezer. I wish I didn’t have the boom and bust cycle but it is what it is at the moment. I need to write down my recent spends. That will involve a certain amount of facing reality because some weren’t strictly necessary and a bit extravagant.

I’m still doing my money saving course off Instagram. It is slowly helping.

I want to go to the cinema but it is expensive plus there’s nothing on that I want to see. I’ve got a pile of clothes to sell on Vinted but I do quite love some of them so maybe I’ll keep some. I might sell the black dress I’ve never worn as I’ll never be a size 12 again. They say get rid of things you haven’t worn for a year but I wore a dress I haven’t worn for a couple of years today and loved it so I don’t know. Advice would be appreciated as I have way too many clothes.

itsthelittlethings

Have made £9 on Vinted today and more importantly decluttered a bit so feeling quite OK with that. I'll get the money when I send it.

Very tired today and unfortunately it's only nightmare boss in for 2 weeks now so I'm not looking forward to work on Monday. It's never as bad as you think it's going to be though!

I'm doing a bit of a no spend challenge. I bought a few things this morning but since lunchtime I've bought nothing, not even a coffee. I am tempted to go for a walk and buy a choccy bar but I'm not going to.

itsthelittlethings

Another no spend day today.