I've never done a blog in my life.... i want to do this so i can read back and see how far ive come on hopefully to lift my spirits on my down days as the debts come down little by little, month by month.
I was sick and tired of paying the minimum payments on all the balances...I had been doing this for nearly 2 years. i wouldn’t even want to do the math on how much I’ve paid over that time in interest, some catalogues being 49.9 interest!! 
After researching and reading everything i could on the net about getting out of debt, I decided to take the "snowball approach" my start date would be the 1st January 2013.....I listed all my debts which was really hard to see it all written down on paper...i then did my budget sheet and looked at all the things i could do to save money and cut out anything that was not a necessity, my other new years resolution was to quit smoking which ive managed to do!!! take my lunch to work, go for the cheap shampoo and conditioner, cut out my false eyelashes, nails and stopped my nights out with friends (which involves spending money!) and opted for girly wine nights at home and take away and dvd nights with the kids! I set aside £384.80 a month towards my debt and instead of saving an emergency fund i leave the remaining money of my wages in my savings for emergencies for the month, if i dont need it then i let this build up. this then leaves me my tax credits which i get weekly to budget for the week this is to buy food, prepaid gas and electric and travel expenses.
It is really hard at times not being able to take the kids to places or eat out especially since the weather has been so bad. we cant really go to the park but its only for a while and it will be better for us all in the long run.
To stay motivated ive even done a chart which is in stuck the bathroom!!!! Then i can see how far ive come since January!! i get such a sense of relief when payday comes around and i pay the monies of my debts but then waiting for the next payday i become anxious and im constantly doing the math to see if i can pay any extra snowflakes!! i supposed in a way i can be slightly obsessive!
i am due to treat the kids and myself to a good day out next month as this month my very and freemans will be paid off!!! its a long slow process but ive come along way even from January. I have no friends that are going through this and although they congratulate me, i dont think they realise just how hard it is sometimes!!
Heres hoping that i can continue to stick to my 2013 new years resolution!!!
ive actually stuck to my new years resolutions!!!
March 15th, 2013 at 06:57 pm
March 15th, 2013 at 07:05 pm 1363374301
March 15th, 2013 at 07:10 pm 1363374659
March 15th, 2013 at 07:55 pm 1363377338
[7667 Pounds converts to $ 11,570. USD]
March 15th, 2013 at 08:07 pm 1363378070
March 16th, 2013 at 12:09 pm 1363435789
I am down to one debt, and I can't wait until the end of the month so I can smite the creditors with another whopping payment... all in anticipation of finally being completely debt free.
March 16th, 2013 at 10:55 pm 1363474509
Jerry
March 17th, 2013 at 03:49 pm 1363535357
March 19th, 2013 at 10:00 am 1363687252