Let's get this sorted then!

rachmac3

I remember when my stupid impulsive behaviour was increasing my debts, now it's decreasing them. I got rid of the TSB overdraft. I will be crying in 3 weeks time, and probably asking for fuel money for my birthday, but it's done now and I'll figure something out (plenty here that I need to sell if I ever get brave enough). Changing my signature today has really cheered me up. I've cleared just over 3k this year, very roughly 8% of what my debt was. Things will probably slow down now, but I've hit my first 5 milestones so I think I can breathe a little at least.

First milestone – get CC total under 20k
Second milestone – get 1st direct overdraft down to 250
Third milestone – get CC total under 20k comfortably (with 500 leeway)
Fourth milestone – get loan under 10k
Fifth milestone – get TSB overdraft down to 0

I don't have a second job at the moment which does worry me, as I've relied on that to help me get through the last weeks of the month, but things have evened out now and I have a better idea of what is coming out each month.

I'll redo my outgoings and DD's spreadsheet later this month and have a think about my next set of priorities. At the moment I'm thinking to leave the overdraft on my current account as I don't get charged for it, and concentrate on reducing the credit card that the 0% ends on in September. 

I think I can do this mini holiday quite cheaply, it should just be the food and drink at the villa to pay for and it's only 2 full days really. 

I know it's a few years off for me but I have started reading some of the MFW diaries, I can't wait for that to be my goal. I do pay and extra £7 a month off my overdraft, rounding it up. I know that's only a tiny bit extra but for me it was important to get the shift in mindset.

PennysIntoPounds

Well done on reaching your first stage aims 👏

Definitely sell the stuff that's there to be sold, it'll really help. That can be your second job 😁

Enjoy your holiday!

biggerpickle

@rachmac3 just bookmarked your diary! 

I loved your inspiration list back in March and laughed out loud to your post ending 'drink more prosecco' a couple of pages back! 

Well done on your 5 milestones, incredible achievement in 4 months!

Yeah, January is always billed as the longest month but April was grim here, rounded off for me with a massive car repair bill.

Enjoy your trip to Spain! I have family there and will be visiting in August with the teenmonsters.

LzzyIsGod

You really are doing so well although i know that sometimes it doesn't feel like it or it seems way too slow. 3k is an amazing amount to have cleared!

FootyFanDan

You are making amazing progress. There will be days along the way when it will feel the total opposite, but that is an amazing amount you have cleared.

Cara_

Well done on clearing the TSB overdraft.

The overpayment to your mortgage might not be much but it will help and, as you say, it is also about a change in mindset.

jwil

Well done on clearing the overdraft!  That £7 a month on the mortgage will soon add up over the years and it's easy to bump up the payment as and when you can.

rachmac3

Before I left for holiday I received a letter threatening a 12k fine, and I returned home to find my boiler wasn't work. The holiday in the middle of all that was wonderful though!
It was the first time in years I've totally switched off my brain and just let stuff happen. It was much needed. I didn't even worry about the money I was spending, until I got home. Flights, Private (massive) villa with pool, transfers, taxi's, and all food and drink came to around £300, and that was with me not worrying about about what I was spending and just going with the flow. I spent £200 on 24h in Exeter in March!!
I did very well to not spiral into despair when I got home. I lit my log burner instead and made myself nice food. I had considered a takeaway but that was knocked on the head by the thought of boiler repairs. Luckily I had a food shop delivered before I left and there were a few tasty options in the fridge. 
The car is booked in for fixing on Friday. I had to decide between car and boiler and without a car I can't work and it' is technically summer, so log burner on cold nights and boiling the kettle to do dishes for the next month. 
I did all of my money shuffles before I went away and not much change over the weekend. I'm not sure I've been paid for one of my shifts for my old/second job so if that doesn't go in to my bank on Thursday I need to chase that up. 
Just been to the supermarket to get some much needed fruit and veg. I also needed to fill up on fuel, and got a voucher for double points with my food shop! An unexpected win! I got a couple of ready meals and treats (yellow sticker) to help me through the post holiday blues. 
In the next few weeks I need to update my outgoings sheet and make some final decisions about where the extra money is going now I'm not using it to clear my overdrafts. 
I would also like to use up food in the freezer to defrost it, and continue on my path of using up old dry goods and herbs and spices so they can be restocked. 
I also really need to sow some more seeds for fresh veg from the garden. 

PennysIntoPounds

Oh my goodness to the 12k threat! And what an unneeded pain with the boiler. Glad you had a good break though, sounds a proper bargain 🥂

Sun_Addict

The break sounds lovely but sorry to hear about the boiler issues 😞 I hope you don’t have to pay the £12k fine 😮