Sorting my life out (again)

Scott_Weiland79

Great progress well done are you doing any other bits and pieces to debt bust.

Surveys?
Cashback?
Book selling sites?

princess_pea

Scott_Weiland79 said:

Great progress well done are you doing any other bits and pieces to debt bust.

Surveys?
Cashback?
Book selling sites?

Thanks. I’ve been using Airtime to get money off my phone bill but yes I should look into surveys. I used to do them years ago! I got rid of nearly all my books over the years due to various house moves/ relationship changes but now I’m on my own and have a decent-sized bookshelf I’m able to fill it up - second-hand books I might add! Also Vinted for new-to-me clothes 

Scott_Weiland79

try theses apps re surveys

qmee and curiouscat

I have used both for years and they are really good

princess_pea

Very nearly under the £4k mark! The priority this month is not to use my credit card 🙏

Sarahwithlove

Cut the card up so you can't be tempted. You don't want to go backwards now you've cleared it. Maybe instead of overpaying initially on your loans build up a buffer in your account just in case 

princess_pea

Thanks Sarah. I absolutely should cut the credit card up but I’m scared to as it is my only lifeline if something unexpected crops up. I need an emergency fund!

Updated my debt totals for January and I’m in the £3k’s. 2026 will be a big year as my ruinous car finance will be cleared - hooray! 

I did spend on my credit card for Christmas but I’ve cleared it almost straight away. Absolutely no plans to use it at all in 2026 as once the car finance has gone I can save most of this payment for sinking funds like Christmas. 

Hoping to live more simply next year. I have cash ready for January’s food and fuel budget which I think will make me more accountable and not overspend.

Highlanddream

princess_pea said:

Thanks Sarah. I absolutely should cut the credit card up but I’m scared to as it is my only lifeline if something unexpected crops up. I need an emergency fund!

Updated my debt totals for January and I’m in the £3k’s. 2026 will be a big year as my ruinous car finance will be cleared - hooray! 

I did spend on my credit card for Christmas but I’ve cleared it almost straight away. Absolutely no plans to use it at all in 2026 as once the car finance has gone I can save most of this payment for sinking funds like Christmas. 

Hoping to live more simply next year. I have cash ready for January’s food and fuel budget which I think will make me more accountable and not overspend.

I am with you on that sentiment. I have actually put my one card I haven't cut up in the freezer 🤣 in the garage, so I have actually go to the freezer and then unfreeze it. Whether it will still work is a different matter but it is enough to make me feel safe. 

CreditCardJunkie

You are flying! Have you tried webuyanycar for the car? They actually gave me more than what I owed on my last (ever) PCP car!

princess_pea

CreditCardJunkie said:

You are flying! Have you tried webuyanycar for the car? They actually gave me more than what I owed on my last (ever) PCP car!

Last time I tried webuyanycar it was about £3k upside down on what I owed. I will have another look as it might be different now I’m so close to the end of the PCP payments. Well done on getting more than you owed!

It’s my birthday today and I’m very lucky to have been given some money. I also took some old tech to CeX to trade in for cash. It means I have enough to get my hair cut later in the month plus put £200 into the emergency fund. It feels good to clear out some stuff around the house too.