Baby Steps to a brighter future

Queen_of_the_Hive

Thanks @beckstar1975, @in_need_of_direction & @vampirotoothus for your suggestions. I haven't quite decided yet. The worse % debt is "SUNSHINE" most of this is still within a 0% balance transfer which will mature in the next few months. 

Logically I think it makes sense to try to get all debt shifted to 0% balance transfer cards. When I looked into this recently I was a bit stuck as there was no real options with my circumstances but as I have some extra income hopefully this makes a bit of a difference. Will look into this again in August. 

The past few days I have spent a bit (too much) time starting to look at train options for September when the travel starts up again. My two kids go to two different schools, luckily the schools broadly follow the same holiday patterns but there are the odd day here and there that put spanners in the works. I'd focused some time to go through the calendar dates of the schools and start to flesh a travel plan for the upcoming school year. This was something which tbh with my partners illness just didn't happen but would have been handy to have done. 

I started to look at typical journeys I make and look at the peak prices ie buying the tickets shortly before travel and comparing this with 12 weeks time. It was surprising to see some journey times didn't really differ that much and some there was upto 50% mark up difference in price. Particularily the Friday evening leg where we leave the city to our home location. We are not in a traditional commuter belt town, which brings some advantages that the train is usually quieter so we get seats, more relaxing etc. but it can feel a bit sunday service like and options for connecting to major towns can be challenging. I my travels over the past year I have discovered using hostels and staying part way in a cheap hotel can give a few more options but costs can quickly add up. I have also shot myself in the foot sometimes by getting confused over booked train tickets and wasted money re-buying tickets. Hopefully by being more organised and writing each journey in my 'travel journal' it'll take some of the stress and cost from it all. 

So with that in mind. First trip of September is booked approx 12 weeks in advance and now trip 2 is the next priority. My cc have gone up a little bit to account for it but this was a wise move. 

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday, 

To be honest i'm in holiday mode! School finishes next Friday and we go straight on holiday so tbh paying down debt is a bit on the back burner for now (will keep trying to make sensible spending choices). Holiday spending money and accomodation is in its own savings pot. Bust most importantly am super excited! Taking the kids into Europe solo for a week. Apprehensive but hey ho looking forward to the challenge!

i've done my monthly financial review a day or two early but who's counting! A small bit of change in the cc debt. One card up and remaining others are down. This month have started tracking total my debt plus mortgage and its £412 less total debt than last month.  

Debt total as of today: 

Debt 1 - CC1 'Mustard' - £6995.90 £6931.18

Debt 2 - CC2 'Banana' - £6897.02 £7163.64

Debt 3 - Overdraft 'Champagne' - £495.96 £499.86

Debt 4 - Family loan 'GOLD' - £620 £610

Debt 5 - CC3 'Sunshine' - £3585 £3465

Total as of today - £18668.68

Honeysucklelou2

Hi Queen of the hive 

I used to read your previous diary. Sorry to read about your partner’s health issues.  I like the way you have  given  colours to each debt!  Hope the last week of term goes well and you have a great holiday.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello diary! 

eeek!!! 1 month to the day since last diary update! Wow! 

Life has been incredible busy but rewarding with extra time with family and a soulful holiday. Life though is starting to get back to normal and thus this mean getting the debt back under control. 

So I have as expected had a heavy month spending on my credit cards which is not idea at all. 

Debt total as of today: 

Debt 1 - CC1 'Mustard' - £6931.18 £7880.83

Debt 2 - CC2 'Banana' - £7163.64 £7107.67

Debt 3 - Overdraft 'Champagne' - £499.86 £263.22

Debt 4 - Family loan 'GOLD' - £610 £600

Debt 5 - CC3 'Sunshine' - £3465 £3882.75

Total as of today - £18668.68 £19734.47

Its not pretty but first plan of action is to have a "cards down" month by resting 'Mustard' and 'Banana' CC's for all but essentials. We have food in at home so going to get a bit creative. 

Looking forward to catching up with diaries. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday... 

This weekend is all about relaxing. Its been a very busy, fast paced few weeks with work, summer holidays and family. 

This weekend is much quieter and have dedicated this as a sloooow, relaxing weekend. 

So far have watched a bit of Netflix, had tea & toast for breakfast and am enjoying spending a bit of time this morning soaking up a chapter or three of  my current summer read 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros. The book was recommended to me by one of my mum friends and have also seen it has rave reviews online. Am only the first few chapters in on the first book in the trilogy so finding my feet so to speak. 

Later on planning to go for a walk and the gym and this evening my partner and I are going for a themed night at a local cafe. Its 3 course Carribean meal. We've paid a £5 dep each but still owe £15 each. Will use cash or pay from our joint bills account to avoid putting on cc

Currently on day 5 of no spends...!!  

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hey Wednesday, 

How is it 20th Aug already?! 

A mini update from little ole me...! Currently on day 8 of no non essential spends on cc. Currently have one regular payment going on to 'Mustard' worth £12.99 and have made one transaction on "Banana" worth £10.20 and thats it so far...! 

Still have plenty of food at home, making more use of my gym membership so going well so far. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday! 

Happy bank holiday...! yeah baby  

So in the hive after 3 weeks of off from normality, reality its back to bite..! 

Spends have absolutely kept to a minimum with just 3 transactions totalling  £35.18 but this weekend I need to sort out budget accomodation for upcoming trips and a budget camping trip that doubles up as budget accomodation, feeling a bit sad because it feels a bit of a backwards step. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday evening, 

Thursday was pay day and for 24hrs I felt rich but alas Friday came and normal monthly bills and money pots were topped up and now its back to feeling poor! 

Monday is mortgage payment day... hurrah! 

Total debt as it stands: 

Debt total as of today: 

Debt 1 - CC1 'Mustard' - £7880.83 £7599.37

Debt 2 - CC2 'Banana' - £7107.67 £6930.85

Debt 3 - Overdraft 'Champagne' - £263.22 £427.45

Debt 4 - Family loan 'GOLD' - £600 £590

Debt 5 - CC3 'Sunshine' - £3882.75 £3779.06

Total as of today - £19734.47 £19326.73