Busting this debt before 40

Chocolatefund

ManyWays said:

That is a neat chart, where did you get it and was it free? I couldnt read the bit in very small print at the bottom

It was just a google search.  Theres a few debt payoff charts floating around.  I almost went for the ‘Debtris’ one, where it’s basically Tetris, but you colour in the bocks instead.  I settled on this one in the end.

I’d like to find a savings chart that I can colour in too.

Edit:  Debtfreecharts.com

Chocolatefund

Happy heatwave fellow debt busters,

Seriously…soooo glad I got the car sorted when it went in for its cambelt change.  The re gas and filter sorting of the air con were part of that cost.  I’d be a puddle in the drivers seat had I not got that done.  

Half way through July and it’s not been too bad money wise.  Finished redecorating my study and it’s looking so much better!  £164 on paint and supplies and a carefully planned Ikea trip of £165.  This cost has mostly come from leftover monies from last month.

This month spends so far currently has £270 on the AmEx.  A combination of Am@zon that I had been putting off for ages, lots of petrol, another smaller Ikea trip and some eating out.  No other spending so far that has been non AmEx.  That’s leaves £230 of the new £500 monthly spend budget left for the next two weeks.  Got no big plans for the rest of the month, so this should be doable.  Just got back from pet sitting for family and my fridge is cobwebs and tumbleweeds, so next week I will have to do a biiiiig food shop.  

Got a confirmed extra shift next weekend which is going to feel awesome, as this is the first extra monies that will NOT have to go towards debt!  I’m still debating the numbers I want to have between my sinking fund, family fund, house reno and SIPP/ISA.  Probably putting more mental calories on numbers then is actually healthy for one person.

The interest rebate for that last overpayment came through at £59.  It now officially says on the app that the last direct debit will be £225 and the last payment is indeed the 1st August!  Wohoo!

Can’t wait for it to be a fat ZERO.

honeybee1234

I am sooooooo with you on getting the aircon sorted - I keep saying that the spend was so worth it for the comfort it brings.

Great news on the final payment being next month! It must feel great, and so liberating to have that freedom of being able to divide your extra cash towards the different funds - no wonder you're contemplating it so much! 

Chocolatefund

July is feeling loooooong,

Enjoying the mostly mild weather though.  Work has been seriously stressful the last couple of weeks, and I’ll be glad to see the back of this month.

The monthly spend so far has £530 on the AmEx.  A little more than I want, but that does include the £80 Amazon and £40 Ikea.  Not added the total categories up for this month spends but will do that next week as it’s payday next Thursday.

In money success news, the two credit cards and bank account opening that I applied for back in April have all now spat out their monies from Topc@shback.  £25 from the Te$co card, £35 from the M&S one, and £35 from the F1rst Direct one.  That’s sent £95 total to my bank.  Love it when a plan comes together, mwahahaha!  So I’ve closed those accounts and cut up the cards.  

Now I’ve got the F1rst Direct moneis, I can use this account to start the progress of another bank switch incentive.  I’ve gone and set up a couple of direct debits on it.  Got my eye on the B@rclays switch offer next.

A trip to see relatives recently has revealed that the solicitor cost has not been as high as previously thought and they have already paid for this cost.  So I’ve made an agreement that I will help out with the food bill instead.  I’ve put aside £200 for this.  This also means that the family fund is no longer required, so this will become the house reno fund instead.

Thanks to backdated pay come payday, minus my new SIPP and ISA contributions, it will leave me with about £1400 to play with.  Work have again thrown a curveball at me as I’m going to be away for a month from the end of August.  Not sure now if I want to start some more house renos, or just wait till I get back at the end of September.  Hmm.

The Barc1ays switch offer does require a £1500 bank deposit for the switch bonus, so I’ll have to not spend this in the early part of August.  At least until the switch is complete, it only has to stay in there 24 hours.

Thinking of treating myself to some smart lighting for the house.  I’ve always fancied the Phillips hue floor light and smart bulbs system.  Not cheap, but I’ve had my eye on them for quite a while.  Now theres scope for me to indulge.  Will have a think on it for a few days.

rachmac3

Wow @Chocolatefund !! I can't believe I've only just read your diary, so close to the end. My stomach did a little flip when I saw that one square left uncovered, so exciting! 
You have done so well, what an inspiration!
I am looking forward to the 1st August on your behalf. 

Chocolatefund

@rachmac3 Thank you 

Me too!  Counting down the days now!

rachmac3

I mean..... you could probably start counting down the hours now!

Cherryfudge

So close! Go you!

Chocolatefund

Thank you both @rachmac3 and @Cherryfudge It’s not quite sunk in yet I don’t think!

Want to post my end of month around up for July before the big debt free day tomorrow.

So my months spends are as follows;

Food = £233 …huh?
Petrol = £149. A lot of this was for work so I was able to claim £97 of it back. Yay!
Eating Out = £77.  Meh.  A lot of stress buying lunches at work did this…
Misc = £77. Okay ish.  Part of my study redecorating with Ikea and Amazon.

Total = £536.  Less actually if I take off the petrol claim.  So considering the sh** month I’ve had work wise, this could have been a lot worse.  Lost track a little of my No Spend Day calendar, but went back over it and checked my spends, which shows I had 19 no spend days, which is waaaaay better then I thought it would be. 

The food amount puzzled me, as I spent a week pet sitting for relatives, then I realised I accidentally mixed up one of my food and amazon spends in my diary.  They were both the same amounts, and the total month amount on my AmEx does match what I have written down, so not gonna lose sleep over it.

My extra shifts monies for the month have come to £190.  So I’m going to give myself this amount to have a debt free date splurge to remind myself of this achievement.  I’ve settled on some smart lighting for the living room and bedroom as it would be nice to not have to go around and turn on all the things in the evening.  First world problems.  Also my circadian rhythm is cr**.  I’ve looked into SAD lights before, but want to try using a smart bulb to help me wake up in the lousy mornings.

Absolutely looking forward to August. 

Cherryfudge

The smart bulbs sound like a great way to celebrate! Great choice as they will benefit you for a long time to come.