Paying off £37065 unsecured debt by July 2027 while continuing to travel this amazing world

Nintud

£1.50 from Vinted off Very debt, but £24.15 interest added.

Consoling myself that the total Very debt has reduced from the October statement balance of £971.99 to November statement of £765.13. I’ve paid off £206.66 in one month.  If I can keep this going, I will have Very paid off by the end of January.

Focus then needs to be on the Santander OD, which will be £2700 when Very is gone. I will try to reduce that by £250 per month. It should be gone by December 2025. I might pay off the £200 Nationwide OD in February for a quick win. Very debt gone, first Nationwide debt gone, in 5 months. I couid then pay £270 to Santander OD and have that one finished by the end of January 2026.

Although that sounds good, I’ve still got a long road ahead paying off the two big credit cards. I have had to use them this month, that needs to stop. Watching every penny is painful. I’ve had a small refund from Vinted for an item that didn’t arrive, but I sit here, with 9 days until payday (let’s call it 8, today is almost over!) and I have £18.75 left of my OD £7.05 in cash and £55.86 in my emergency fund. Expected expenses are petrol, parking, milk, squash and bread. It’s doable. £15 petrol might get me through the week, £5 for bread, squash, and milk, £2.50-£4 parking (remembrance parade, no hope of a free parking space as roads will be shut).

I really, really want to finish this salary month without using my emergency fund.

I have cancelled my Mr S delivery for the 10th. I will do a shop from home and empty out the cupboards and freezer (fridge only contains milk, cheese, eggs, condiments, lard, natural yoghurt, and cheese!).  I have enough food in to make it to the 15th if I get creative. Two bulk cooked curries, bolognese for lasagne, cheese omelettes, Bacon/eggs/hash browns and beans, for 5 dinners when the boys are back. I have sardines/mackeral/beans/egg on toast for the 3 days until they get back (normal can’t be bothered to cook child free menu for me!). I’ll shop early at Mr L on the 15th.

i have ingredients to bake cakes, bread, biscuits, cornflake cakes. There will be homemade snacks.

yes, this is doable.

Nintud

I forgot! Last car payment is in December 2025. Once that is rolled into CC payments, the debt will disappear faster. Loan finishes August 2026 and I’ll then be repaying whatever is left at minimum plus at least £850 overpayment per month.

lilian1977

You're doing so well, and have inspired me to try Vinted! Don't love all the spam messages, but other than that seems easy enough to use.

Nintud

Thanks Lilian,

I feel like I’ve made a slow start, but it was probably my final hour to make it.

I’ve written my budget for my November salary month, putting £300 aside for Christmas, covering all expected expenses, setting up a regular savings pot for my apartment maintenance fee (no more £600 surprises) and putting my water bill into monthly expenses (I pay twice yearly, and the next bill is due in January), reducing OD by £50 per month and putting £50 into EF, leaves me with only a small double figure overpayment to Very. I’m going to have to get busy on Vinted if I’m going to make a significant dent.

Every month has a big expense due until April; Christmas, Maintenance fee, Water Bill, Son’s 18th birthday. There’s no let up until my April Salary. I’m feeling a bit gloomy about it. The budget is tight, no wiggle room. I travel on a tight, but realistic budget, and I’m not cutting back on trips already planned, but life outside of travelling will be instant coffee and beans on toast for the next 6 months. There can be no travelling February-July. I need to save for India.

The only travel exceptions will be a quick dash to see my Dad, if I can get four sequential days work free, and a similar dash with boys in tow when I can find low cost flights that match my work schedule and their academic commitments (not looking good for that. I may have to take one out of school and face the fine). He’s mid-80s and in poor health. Visiting is costly, but there are no compromises on me visiting when I get the chance to do so. I may have to forego the beans!

MFWannabe

Morning. 

Could the boys help you with listing stuff on Vinted? Even if it’s just taking the pictures? 

Do you have any coats or boots? Or anything that’s good enough for people to purchase as Christmas presents? All these sell well this time of year 
Ref the November budget look at it as everything is budgeted for and if you can get through the rest of the year (Christmas) without adding to the debt that’s an achievement!
Just use the Vinted money to overpay Very and not your regular wage until a bit further through the month when you can see what your finances are like and if you have any spare to make any overpayments 

RelievedSheff

Try not to be too disheartened. It can feel overwhelming at the beginning when you start to get to grips with your budget and spending.

It does get easier and you will before long have the moral boost of a debt repaid.

As the debts get repaid you will start to feel as though you have less plates spinning and your finances will slot into place.

Stick with it.

Nintud

Thank you for your support, I really do appreciate it.

It’s my birthday today, I think I was a bit glum last night at the state of my finances at 54 years old. My son gets his CTF soon, and I’m trying to educate him in the importance of setting a budget and saving for the future. My girls say they see me as an example of what NOT to do with their money!

I’m cheerier today. I’ve set up a donation page for friends to donate to Refuge on my behalf for my birthday and the donations are almost in treble figures already. It’s the best gift and I’ve only asked that people donate the price of a latte.

i have two of my grandchildren tonight (also the best gift) and we are going to a light show. The youngest is having a Nanna sleepover. My partying days may be over, but I’m loving the alternative.

Christmas May be better than I thought. I think I’m due about £400 back pay in my December salary. Added to the £600 budgeted for in the next two months, I may be able to take the boys to visit my Dad. I’m watching flight prices!

dawnybabes

Happy birthday x

lilian1977

Happy birthday to you! You're giving yourself the best gift in that you know you're dealing with the problem x

MFWannabe

Happy Birthday 🥳