MissHelenT

I’ve worked really hard at this one.

The first thing I did was look at all the debts I had and establish which ones I was paying the most interest on. I then applied for another credit card that offered no interest on balance transfers until November 2009. I tranfered the majority of the credit card debt I was paying the most interest on, onto the new card. At the same time the other card raised my credit limit so I put the rest of the highest interest card onto that one and payed the remaining amount.

I then concentrated on paying off the other card I was paying interest on.

Meanwhile, I went onto a website called moneysaving expert. If you havent been there, I highly recommend it. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com. Through that site, I looked at everything I was paying out. I was able to cut my monthly outgoings by over £100 through that site. I used this money to make extra payments on the credit card.

By August this year, I had payed off the card I was paying the interest on. This just left the interest free card and my bank loan. The bank loan was my main concern. Over half of what I was paying them was going on interest. Had I realised just how expensive it was at the time, I would never have taken it out.

I came into some money in September. I also got a tax rebate. These two sums of money gave me half the balance of my bank loan. After reviewing everything, I found I could actually pay off the bank loan if I used that money and put the rest onto the credit card I’ve just payed off.

Today, I was able to phone the bank and do exactly that. I now just have the two credit cards to pay. I am going to concentrate on the one which is charging me interest first. If I pay them the same amount I was paying the bank for my loan, it will be paid off by July this year. I can then pay that money onto the other card which will start charging me interest in November.

As long as I stick to the plan, I will be completely debt free by May 2010. Not bad for a student!

This goal sounds like fun! I dont think i’ll ever do it, but I’ll have fun trying. So Far I have been to:

1)England
2)Scotland
3)Wales
4)Ireland
5)France
6)Germany
7)Portugal
8)Italy
9)Netherlands
6)Belgium
7)Sweden
8)Norway
9)Denmark
10)Luxemburg
11)U.S.A

So,89 more to go!

I actually started training to be a nurse 10 years ago. I completed my first year. But I made the big mistake of moving to London to do it. There were WAY too many distractions and my studies/training were very low down on my list of priorities. So I ended up dropping out and moving back to Swindon.

Since then, I’ve done a variety of different jobs, most of them healthcare related. I’ve always kind of regretted not completeing my training.

Every time I thought about applying again, I always had some excuse in my mind, I’m too old now, am I committed enough? Do I really want to leave my nice safe job and go back to uni? Can I live on a bursary now I’m used to earning a full wage?

But I knew deeep down its what I really want to do. So last year, I sent off an application to Oxford Brookes. I was accepted and I started the course in September. I am really enjoying it so far. I found returning to study after so long very challenging but I keep telling myself the end result will be worth the struggle. Besides, its good to keep the brain in tune!

I am currently on my first placement on a cardiac ward. I have 3 more weeks to go there. I’m really enjoying it and I know I can do this!

I am due to qualify in May 2011. Bring it on!