Claiming back my life

Little_Ms_Determined

I’m a mid 40s Mum to an amazing 9 year old and need to make some changes! 

I feel like I’ve been coasting / existing for  most my adult life. Over the last few years I’ve become increasingly aware of my mortality, realising that I’ve probably got more of my life behind me than in front of me (morbid I know!) and it’s time to make every day count. 

I’ve been in debt on and off since finishing uni over 20 years ago. Whilst manageable and mostly on 0% interest I feel it’s holding me back now. I’m not happy at work and there’s so much I want to do with our home both of which I’d have more freedom over if I wasn’t making the repayments each month. 

Through this diary I’m going to document my journey to financial freedom and taking charge of my life again. 

liselle

Very best wishes for your debt-free journey! You’ve taken the most important step, the first one

NeverendingDMP

Hello and good luck. Similar here. Been in debt since I was a student. Mid forties. Wondering what I will do with myself if I'm ever debt free 😀 

Little_Ms_Determined

Thanks both for your well wishes - I’m determined to make some changes and start making the most of my life.

Going to spend some time tomorrow mapping out some plans for areas of improvement. Key areas of focus are finances (obviously!), health, house and home life and work. I realise that this is a lot to focus on at once, however by taking baby steps in all areas I’m hoping that the positive changes will snowball. 

Starting as I mean to go on, here are my wins for today….
1. £12.50 made on Vinted 
2. Wk 2 run 1 of couch to 5k completed 
3. Bag full of clothes decluttered and put in charity clothes bank.
4. Box of books decluttered and in car ready to drop in charity shop collection. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Excellent wins for the day!

BeachSiren

A great start on your journey, well done. 

Little_Ms_Determined

Good afternoon,
Just taking 5 mins with a cuppa before heading out to run a few errands. 

Sat down yesterday and made some sort of financial plan to take us through until Christmas. 

Financial priorities between now and the end of the year are as follows:

1. Pay off very account before interest free period (Dec) - £178.49
2. DS birthday - budgeted £300 to cover present and party / treat. 
3. Christmas - need to get my head around a budget as have some money put by and some pressies already bought. 

Aiming to cover Birthday and Very via Vinted / FB sales - would need to make approx £120 a month to do so. 

Realised one of my cc was coming to the end of its 0% period over the coming months so have managed to transfer what won’t be paid by then over on a 0% deal. 

Have spent the day pottering around the house. Got a few odd jobs done and a couple of loads of washing washed and dried before the ran came.

Wins for the last 2 days:

1. 6 mile bike ride with DS
2. McDonalds treat for DS paid for with loyalty points.
3. 0% balance transfer sorted.
4. Boot loaded with charity shop goodies to drop off in the collection bin at work tomorrow.

Highlanddream

Have you completed anymore C25K ? I love that, I am running for 30 mins every other day generally now, trying to lose some weight as well but not dieting, just cutting back on rubbish and am losing it very slowly. 

Sarahwithlove

Good luck! 

Little_Ms_Determined

Highlanddream said:

Have you completed anymore C25K ? I love that, I am running for 30 mins every other day generally now, trying to lose some weight as well but not dieting, just cutting back on rubbish and am losing it very slowly. 

  It’s been a bit hit and miss during the school holidays. Will be completing my next run over the weekend. I was training for London Marathon last year but got injured in March and have only just been given the go ahead to start up again. Building up slowly as my fitness has nose dived. I’ve really missed running - it’s my escape! 

Ordinary_Yet_Unique

What level of debt are you determined to banish? Have you put a balanced budget in place? Would an SOA help others offer ideas and suggestions to help you succeed? Just some questions, sorry lol.