2026 - The year I sort my finances and declutter my life!

bigbeff

So, the last couple of days has been non-eventful. Its been cold and miserable out so we have been hibernating a bit. I did go into a shop yesterday that sells some lovely stuff, and they had their sale on (they do a proper half price sale!). Nearly bought myself a shirt, but stopped myself. I don't need it. I need to be more aware, so i am proud I didn't spend. 

Todays jobs, sort wool stash, dust and clean living room. Wash sheets, clear mugs cupboard...all the fun things 😂 

Was going to run, but after being ill I am out of routine and today looks grotty! So I will wait until later and see if weather gets any better. 

ThriftyPrincess40

I’d pay the overdraft and reduce it then use the interest I would have paid on that to pay the higher interest card 

lastbigspender

I cleared my Overdraft using a 0% 20 month Money Tranfer as I was paying an average of £55 per month on interest so just add a further £100 and will have the balance cleared long before the 20 months is up.


I also requested to reduce my overdraft amount with bank so I don't slip back into it again but I WONT

ThriftyPrincess40

lastbigspender said:

I cleared my Overdraft using a 0% 20 month Money Tranfer as I was paying an average of £55 per month on interest so just add a further £100 and will have the balance cleared long before the 20 months is up.


I also requested to reduce my overdraft amount with bank so I don't slip back into it again but I WONT

You’ve got this 💪🏻❤️

lastbigspender

ThriftyPrincess40 said:

lastbigspender said:

I cleared my Overdraft using a 0% 20 month Money Tranfer as I was paying an average of £55 per month on interest so just add a further £100 and will have the balance cleared long before the 20 months is up.


I also requested to reduce my overdraft amount with bank so I don't slip back into it again but I WONT

You’ve got this 💪🏻❤️

I absolutely believe I will get this cleared thanks @ThriftyPrincess40

bigbeff

Busy week, but all is good. I received payment for my sideline and it was more than expected, so rather than put 40% in my tax account and use the rest for debts, I decided to pay it all off overdraft. I have enough for my tax payment for the end of this month and I know what I will need for next one in July, which I am confident of saving before then. I just thought better to pay off interest this month! 

I will update figures shortly, but i think overdraft is only about £400 now... i have pretty much exhausted payments now, until I get to the end of the month and anything I have left will go on them. 

Went for a great muddy trail run this evening in the dark testing out my christmas present (head torch!) It is strangely soothing running in the dark only being able to see a few metres in front, and I didn't fall, so win there!
20 mins reading before bed. Trying to be good to myself 😊

lastbigspender

bigbeff said:

Busy week, but all is good. I received payment for my sideline and it was more than expected, so rather than put 40% in my tax account and use the rest for debts, I decided to pay it all off overdraft. I have enough for my tax payment for the end of this month and I know what I will need for next one in July, which I am confident of saving before then. I just thought better to pay off interest this month! 

I will update figures shortly, but i think overdraft is only about £400 now... i have pretty much exhausted payments now, until I get to the end of the month and anything I have left will go on them. 

Went for a great muddy trail run this evening in the dark testing out my christmas present (head torch!) It is strangely soothing running in the dark only being able to see a few metres in front, and I didn't fall, so win there!
20 mins reading before bed. Trying to be good to myself 😊

Overdraft nearly cleared a big well done to you 👏👏

Been on a course last few days with work so never got any reading done back at it again tonight all being well

bigbeff

So, I had an awful day yesterday. My car broke down - the clutch went. RAC were very good, thank goodness I had included breakdown cover in my car insurance! But basically it needs a new clutch. My cousin is pricing it for me today, but reckons it’ll be about £1000. I was thinking about changing my car anyway because I do more driving now and that one had reached 125000 miles and bits are slowly just wearing out. I was just not quite ready… and this is forcing my hand. So decisions. 1) Do I get repaired and then wait for next thing to wear out (I have had car 12 years and it’s done me well, but I have lost confidence in it). 2) Do I take out a loan to get a newer low mileage car that will last me years again? (Hopefully!) I have some emergency funds but not enough for a decent car. My cousin has a love,y fiesta with on 13000 miles on clock but it’s 10k! Obviously I will look around. 3) Do I go slightly cheaper with car and hope it does me well? Unfortunately going without a car is not an option where I live - it’s 18 miles to work and buses are very rare now. Also working between 2 sites means sometimes I need to travel during the day. I am gutted, I thought I would get a few more months out of it 😔 And the reason I kept mine so long is because I don’t know much about cars and hate the stress of car shopping!

ThriftyPrincess40

That’s a hard one! What does your gut say?

bigbeff

Hide under the duvet and pretend its not happening?!😂

I don't know. I think its time to say goodbye to my mini, its served me well, but I have been slowly losing faith in it for longer journeys. 
And spending more last time meant car has lasted me so much longer than others (no guarantee i know). I am just trying to sort myself out though... i didn't really want to borrow more!