Mizmir's 10 month challenge!

doingitanyway · 13 June 2018 at 6:46PM

You have done great. Nice to see your progress. Good luck in your new home.

EssexHebridean · 18 June 2018 at 3:22PM

Of course you're allowed to stay when you're debt free - at least I hope otherwise I'm in big trouble! :rotfl::rotfl:

It's such a huge step going from clearing debt - whether that debt is cards, loans, mortgage or whatever, to saving I think. we've found that there is almost a feeling of guilt attached - imposter syndrome may be the closest thing I guess - that thing of thinking "But I shouldn't be saving money! It's not what I do!" Very odd and definitely takes some getting used to. I realised in a panic the other day that we were spending "over budget" on groceries - but then realised that budget figure was set over 10 years ago - and that some of the "nicer" things we're buying now have been added in because we do have more available cash now, and that we like them so why the heck not! :rotfl: it really does take time to relax and realise there is a difference between "spending a bit more" and "frittering money away".

Congratulations on the new house - I'm so pleased things are working out well for you and that you now have choices! :T

mizmir · 20 June 2018 at 12:33PM

Thank you both. I am still at the pinching myself stage to be honest - and panicking as to whether I will be able to manage - even though I have everything in hand this month according to YNAB! Am so determined not to get into debt again - but I still haven't closed my card accounts - it is hard to not think in terms of "emergencies". But that is on my list as I get sorted here. I will keep one card for online purchases and pay it off in full by DD so I can't overspend on it. But the rest have to go. My "emergency" fund now has to be savings. I have started a contingency fund in YNAB and my first pension payment went into the new ISA. Onwards and upwards.

My focus now has to be a short term cash injection into the business which has been just ticking over for a couple of months then a longer term strategy for maintaining sufficient income. But I need a lot less here than I did - 60% of bills and less needed for food and animals so hopefully I can do it!