Busting this debt before 42

Chocolatefund · 3 May at 11:50PM

Financial brain dump (rant) #3

How annoying...

I switched energy providers which completed a couple of day's ago. Both my old AND new energy providers took a direct debit out. So now there is 180 quid just sat there with the old provider till they get the final meter readings. Apparently it can take several weeks for it all to be finalised and get the closing bill.

Arrrghh! It's messed with money maths. *grumble grumble*. Will get the refund eventually, but still rather annoying. "MaHsPrEaDsHeEtS!!!1!"

Also,

Cre@tion finance, with who my MacBook loan's with, still won't let me change the direct debit date, even though I've made a payment. C'mon...how hard can it be?

Also, new broadband Skky won't let me change the direct debit date yet either. Though that's on the 4th so not too off, but I want it on the 1st gosh darn it.

And the Oxygen company for my new SIM has a payment 'range' ??? What do you mean I can only select a payment range of the 1st to the 7th ??? What is wrong with having a specific date like everyone else?? What is wrong with you???

Rant over...

Chocolatefund · 10 May at 7:36PM

Another week gone by. I'm seriously enjoying these longer sunny days and warmer weather.

Had an epic money win this week. Came home to find a nice cheque for £100 from N@tional Grid. Apparently there was a power outage in my area at some point while I was away. Some research online says that they have to compensate you if the power is out for a long time. Had no idea this was a thing! No clue when this power outage was as I've been away a lot recently. It did explain why my smart lamp was on in the living room when I came home, haha. And then I had to set the clock on the oven. Yup. Definitely there was a power outage.

Since the 1st May I've spent a total of £182 so far. £57 on food, £45 on petrol, £24 eating out/fun and £56 on miscellaneous. I bought a couple of T-shirts and jeggings as I've literally been living in one pair of jeans and bought no clothes last year at all. Next weekend I'll need to do some bra shopping. I HATE bra shopping...

Looks like the energy gods heard my rant, and got confirmation that my energy refund is due in the next few days. Yay.

Overall, quite a nice money week. Ive not decided where to put the extra moneys yet. Will do some money shuffling out in the sun methinks.

Chocolatefund · 17 May at 4:15PM

Another week gone by. Work has actually been quite chill this month which has been amazing to say the least. My garden has absolutely exploded with spring growth though. I just cannot be *rsed to do anything with it at the moment, haha.

Spending this week has been £61 food, £50 petrol, £8 eating out and £18 miscellaneous on books. Not much else exciting to report money wise, but I'm seeing this as a good chill thing. Halfway through the month and total spends so far has been £302 which is on track for my monthly budget.

Going to be wishing the week away next week as I'm off for my London trip next Friday and I cannot wait! Hotel and train paid for and I have £350 to spend over the four nights I'm there. I have scope to give myself some more spending money should I go abit crazy at the comic con.

My aim for the next loan overpayment is looking like another £800 plus depending on London. I'm keeping the extra monies I got this month into the sinking fund as I don't want that to be empty when my car insurance comes out.

C'moooooon next Friday!

Sarahwithlove · 17 May at 5:00PM

Think its a good decision to focus on the car loan and save the interest, think that's going to be my plan as well, though I won't be making overpayments anywhere near your amount. you'll knock that loan out quick!

Chocolatefund · 17 May at 5:11PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002114#Comment_82002114

The MacBook loan ANNOYS me though. 😆

I can see why the Dave Ramsey snowball push works. It would just be more psychologically satisfying to see it gone. Screw the interest savings.

I may knock it out down the line when the funds allow me to overpay both.

Sarahwithlove · 17 May at 5:52PM

haha yes I can understand that, I did same with my sofa loan, it was satisfying to get it paid off, but i made the mistake of doing it from savings rather than just overpaying it. maybe find some way to "make" the extra money, can be something simple as rounding up any payments or purchases you make, save that all in a pot and then when you have a month saved, pay it off and bring the end date a month forward.

Chocolatefund · 17 May at 11:23PM

@Sarahwithlove that's actually not a bad shout.

I could take say £100 of the car overpayment and make an extra payment a month towards it. At least that way it would feel like I'm 'doing something about it'.

Who'd have thought debt busting gives you so much mental gymnastics. 😂

Chocolatefund · 20 May at 8:48PM

Wednesday hump day update.

Laptop payment came out, bringing that loan down to £1250. The Cre@tion app finally let me change the direct debit date to the 1st to align with all my other bills.

I've started the logistics for another bank switch. This time the S@ntander one. It requires two household direct debits, so I've moved the bank details for my water and broadband to my other account. Because it takes time to switch details those direct debits won't come out till the 1st July. That will actually work out as I'll need to save up some sinking fund monies over the next two paychecks. The switch is going to require me to send £1500 to get the bonus.

Don't want to touch my emergency fund to do it as it will take ages to build it up again in my regular saver. Kinda wanted to send an extra payment to the laptop loan, but I'll wait now to keep the money aside for the bank switch. Hopefully the switch offer is still there in July.

Chocolatefund · 27 May at 3:03PM

Back from my London trip and it was AWESOME!

Met up with family and had lovely drinks and meal out. Feel like Ive just been on a mini holiday with the heatwave. Was actually amazing in London especially at twilight and night time. My hotel was nice and air conditioned too, sweet timing.

Worked out my total spends while in London and it came to £378 over five days and four nights. A little over my planned £350 but I had the extra cushion should I have needed it. Super happy with this and was great not to have to think about money at all during the trip and come home with a few souvenirs.

There's a few transactions from the previous day that are still pending. My cc statement date is today so these may roll over onto next month's statement but I should see the final figures over the next couple of days.

Payday in a couple of days and I'm super excited for the monthly money shuffle. Everything is looking on track so far. On leave for the rest of this week which I'm glad for as I'm feeling exhausted today.

Time to enjoy some chill time in the garden.