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Time to grow up and stand up
thriftylass
Posts: 4,030 Forumite


Hello all,
I lost track how many diaries I started (maybe 5, 6, ...) but then I realised little thriftylass is going to be 18 this year (her real life incarnation is a few decades older) and it's time to grow up but also be true to my values, and me more again.
I started this diary later in the year as I have found if I start on new years day motivation fizzles out too soon. So, I started making a few changes already (4 weeks sober
) and decided to keep a diary from now while tackling the next stages.
I thought I start by listing my random selection of financial and non-financial goals (I read somewhere that manifesting them as if you have achieved them makes you more likely to do so)
By the end of 2025:
These are my main goals. There are a few more for instance in relation to parenting but these will just happen/fall into place to the above changes.
I think tomorrow I'll outline my plan on how to achieve these goals
I lost track how many diaries I started (maybe 5, 6, ...) but then I realised little thriftylass is going to be 18 this year (her real life incarnation is a few decades older) and it's time to grow up but also be true to my values, and me more again.
I started this diary later in the year as I have found if I start on new years day motivation fizzles out too soon. So, I started making a few changes already (4 weeks sober

I thought I start by listing my random selection of financial and non-financial goals (I read somewhere that manifesting them as if you have achieved them makes you more likely to do so)
By the end of 2025:
- I am debt-free (currently £6100)
- I am free of addiction (currently 4 weeks sober, two more vices to go)
- I have completed my first triathlon in 5 years (and the 5th on total, probably the last)
- I will make this house we are in work as it it the most financially sensible option (plus the kids love it)
- I rekindled my love for crochet (already made two blankets and two pillows this year, off to a good start)
These are my main goals. There are a few more for instance in relation to parenting but these will just happen/fall into place to the above changes.
I think tomorrow I'll outline my plan on how to achieve these goals
DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/25
4
Comments
-
Hello,
didn't get round to writing over the weekend. Was busy crocheting, DIYing and doing some garden work.
Before, I always tried to pay off as much as I could in the shortest time as wanted quick results. But then I obviously never had any money for the inevitable like birthdays, car repairs etc and had to get the CC out again. Or I tried to split the debt payments over 12 months, but my patience wouldn't last as it wasn't enough soon enough.
So this time I will do the minimum payments as appropriate for a few months initially. I calculated a yearly budget for holidays (two trips to my parents abroad, DS school trip), car repairs, birthday and xmas fund etc. and will safe up for those first so I have the allocated money for when I need it and can freeze the CC. Then once I saved this I will chuck the maximum at the debt. Not sure if that makes much sense but it's worth a try.DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/253 -
Hi @thriftylass! That sounds like a great plan - and 4 weeks sober is absolutely brilliant! Congratulations!
I have a lot higher debt than you but my approach is similar - pay off my monthly bills and minimum on credit cards, then put pre-budgeted amounts into Monzo pots - then use the remainder to overpay on debts. I'm three months in and it is really working for me - plus I'm staying motivated which is key. In fact the issue I am having is impatience - I really want to get the debt gone ASAP but time (and monthly pay!) is really the only thing that is going to get rid so I know that I need a couple of thrifty years and my life/mental state will be so much improved.
I do love the list of financial and non-financial goals you have set yourself - I am going to steal that idea to manifest my own!
Nationwide CC: £1,309.48/£1,209.48/£447.96
Littlewoods: £808.91/573.66/£472.66
MBNA: £10,413.25/£10,425.28 (had enough to do another small balance transfer!)
HSBC Loan: £15,156.57/£14,697.28/£14,237.99
Total: £27,688.21/£26,893.67/£25,583.892 -
Debtfree2026 said:Hi @thriftylass! That sounds like a great plan - and 4 weeks sober is absolutely brilliant! Congratulations!
I have a lot higher debt than you but my approach is similar - pay off my monthly bills and minimum on credit cards, then put pre-budgeted amounts into Monzo pots - then use the remainder to overpay on debts. I'm three months in and it is really working for me - plus I'm staying motivated which is key. In fact the issue I am having is impatience - I really want to get the debt gone ASAP but time (and monthly pay!) is really the only thing that is going to get rid so I know that I need a couple of thrifty years and my life/mental state will be so much improved.
I do love the list of financial and non-financial goals you have set yourself - I am going to steal that idea to manifest my own!
Thank you and I'm glad to hear a similar approach is working for you just now. That is encouraging.
I also finally announced to DH that I'll cease my other two vices and he is absolutely not allowed to tempt me. I too often blamed him for tempting me or leading me astray although in the end it's me giving in and making the choice indulge.
DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/250 -
I hear you - my vice is alcohol. My husband is type 2 diabetic and been cutting down on drinking for a few months. We decided to do dry January and as a result, we are both feeling so much better and are carrying on with no booze - plus it helps with the saving of course. But if he wasn't teetotal I would certainly have caved myself, so although we are accountable for our own actions I believe that support is absolutely paramount in achieving success in beating our demons.Nationwide CC: £1,309.48/£1,209.48/£447.96
Littlewoods: £808.91/573.66/£472.66
MBNA: £10,413.25/£10,425.28 (had enough to do another small balance transfer!)
HSBC Loan: £15,156.57/£14,697.28/£14,237.99
Total: £27,688.21/£26,893.67/£25,583.891 -
Debtfree2026 said:I hear you - my vice is alcohol. My husband is type 2 diabetic and been cutting down on drinking for a few months. We decided to do dry January and as a result, we are both feeling so much better and are carrying on with no booze - plus it helps with the saving of course. But if he wasn't teetotal I would certainly have caved myself, so although we are accountable for our own actions I believe that support is absolutely paramount in achieving success in beating our demons.DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/251
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I see - I can appreciate how incredibly hard this is for you. If you can, do keep writing here in your diary - I find mine helps when I feel a bit lost or have some thoughts/rants to get out that I don't particularly want to spill into 'real' life. I've found there are lot's of people with all different kinds of experience on here to listen and offer words of guidance.
Nationwide CC: £1,309.48/£1,209.48/£447.96
Littlewoods: £808.91/573.66/£472.66
MBNA: £10,413.25/£10,425.28 (had enough to do another small balance transfer!)
HSBC Loan: £15,156.57/£14,697.28/£14,237.99
Total: £27,688.21/£26,893.67/£25,583.891 -
Good morning,
yesterdays achievements: sober and didn't indulge in anything else, went to the gym, went to bed early and had a great sleep. It wasn't an NSD though as I bought snacks in work and then did a top up shop after work. Will need to put those spends into my excel sheet before I forget. When I went through my bank statements of the last few months I found a scary amount of unrecorded spends that I forgot what they were. That needs to stop again.Today I need to post a letter to my parents but from tomorrow the wallet stays home again.
Have a good dayDEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/252 -
Good morning,
another great sleep and a clear conscience although my FOMO was through the roof last night. Today will be a gym day and a spend day as we'll take the kids out for tea (only do that once a year or so, so it's special, but will opt for B33feater so budget friendly) to celebrate their great school reports.
DEBT 02/25: total £6100 Debt free date 12/250
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