Don't hit me with those negative waves Moriarity

LzzyIsGod

What do I do now?  Sleeper 

Ah another day passes, gloriously sunny here which I hope continues tomorrow so I can potter in the garden and plant up some of my seeds that have arrived. Today was a NSD although tomorrow I know I will require fuel from the petrol pot.

Regular loan payment has been paid - I'd love to start paying some extra off that but my focus really needs to stay on the CCs I think even though they are on 0% for another 4 and a bit months.

 Talking of CCs ...... this is currently my dilemma. Whilst Lldoyds and MBNA have continued to offer 0% balance transfers, Virginia have not....
.... UNTIL today. I've been watching closely and today, Voila !!  up pops one but is only valid til the end of May. So now I need to decide if I wait another few months and hope they continue to pop up with some or go for the Great Balance Shuffle now rather than later.  

The world won't end if I wait til August for a jiggle around,  its just the Virginia CC is handy as its a 1% minimum payment - i know not brilliant as a general rule and usually I'm overpaying this amount, its just occasionally, on the months where things look tighter, its reassuring to be able to pay a bit less rather than raid the EF or use the OD (I'm determined that only an extreme emergency would lead me to ever use an OD ever again).  My other cards are all 2.5% which I know I can meet but I find it reassuring to know I have a little wiggle room and breathing space if I need it.

Need to have a proper think about it really.

LzzyIsGod

Think   -  Aretha Franklin

Chosen today as I continue to consider my next move - sometimes this debt paying malarkey does seem to be like a game of chess constantly planning the next strategic path.

 I'm quite risk adverse so I suspect I will go for the Great Card Shuffle earlier than anticipated, I'm just working out what the best way to do it is.  I did have a plan in my head but because it's earlier than anticipated I'm not sure if my original idea is the best option currently and if there's a better way to manage it. There are 3 ways I could do it and pros and cons to all.

We rock gently on towards the weekend although I'm doing extra again (earmarked to be split between one of the CCs and holiday fund) and a NSD today. I have a little time off during the holidays but not much and im working either a full or partial weekend every other week from now until the end of May ....... nervous breakdown incoming???

jwil

Sorry about all the weekend working.  Hope you get some time off in the week to compensate.

I tend to prefer certainty too, so I'd probably go for the offer unless I was confident another would come up in time.

LzzyIsGod

Quick one from me as I'm really tired tonight and need to be up early.

£3 spent as been out all day and ran out of water (and needed the facilities!). Nice healthy tea tonight (omelette and salad) and in budget grocery shop (kids been told strictly everything needs to last all week!)

Hoping tomorrow isn't too busy - who am I kidding😂

LzzyIsGod

Chasing Rainbows - Shed Seven 

Just typed a whole post and lost it!! Argh

ok I'll start again with maybe less waffle.

Another day's overtime done ✔️ although I did manage to watch the Grand National. I'm not a regular gambler but I do enjoy the very occasional flutter (my mum always said never gamble more than you can afford to lose - such wise words even if teenage me rolled their eyes 😂)  my stake was £13 and I won £10.50 so only 2.50 down. 

To make up for that I did do a small round up of the loose change in my accounts and sent £2 to the CC racked up last month - I was inspired by @jwil and their superb PADing on their thread - so that's now down to £400.

In terms of the CC shuffle debate I decided today I need to take a step back and get some more clarity - I'm starting to utterly hyperfixate on it and spending every spare minute working ways of doing it and mentally it's not doing me any good at all. Nothing needs to be decided in the next few days and I'm at risk of feeling pressurised (by myself) to rush into a decision. Sticking to my original plan of getting the big balance down and getting as many balances below 50% of each credit allowance (to hopefully boost my credit rating) is still an option and a good thing to work towards regardless. 

And so we continue Chasing Rainbows! Tomorrow I've got tickets to see a band, slightly obscure one but a real favourite of mine and the tickets were present. We are driving  there and back (rather than stopping over) to keep costs down, but I'm really looking forward to it. 

jwil

Well done on the PAD!

LzzyIsGod

jwil said:

Well done on the PAD!

Totally inspired by your diary!

LzzyIsGod

I'm on early today but mainly because I've done my daily balance check and weekly tot up and I did a silent mini WHOOP to myself. 2 of my regular payments have gone out and I've realised overall (and including that pesky balance I ran up without thinking) my totals are:

CCs    20 101.08  +
Loan  15 656.14 =
           35,757.22 
      vs 39 161 in Nov 24 (40k+ Oct 24)

Plus I have a personal EF of £1200 (vs 200 quid)

Posting this mainly for myself so when the dark days hit or that mid month slump kicks in I can read back and think actually the tide is turning slowly

Cara_

You deseve a big whoop as you are making really good progress. Since taking control of your finances you have repaid a significant sum, have personal and joint savings, plus, you have stopped the monthly overspend. In addition, you are thinking about furure spends (school holidays) and, from your comments, none of this would have happened if you hadn't decided to take that first step to manage your finances.

jwil

That's a great turnaround, well done!