Woman Conquers £9,000 Debt with Simple Budgeting Technique

Opening her credit card statements, Jo Beevers felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. The 46-year-old from Chester had long struggled with impulsive spending but had never confronted the extent of her financial issues until now. With an annual income of just £9,000 from working as a part-time registrar, Jo knew it was time to take control of her finances and address her debt head-on.

Jo’s financial struggles were not new. She had accumulated a significant debt of £9,099.82 across credit cards and overdrafts, often relying on 0% balance transfers to manage her obligations. Her previous full-time position as a medical conditions and injury rehabilitation manager had provided a salary of £30,000, but the transition to part-time work left her feeling trapped in a vicious cycle of debt. “My spending was reckless because the money didn’t feel real,” Jo admitted. “I treated shopping like a hobby even though I was skint.”

In 2018, Jo’s “you only live once” mentality led her to make impulsive purchases, like a £9,000 Volkswagen Up! while her husband was away. A boozy lunch prompted her to spend £300 on perfumes at Boots, and daily Amazon deliveries became the norm. “If I had to hand over £80 in cash for two bottles of champagne every month, I wouldn’t have done it,” she reflected. “But because it all went on the credit card, I didn’t think about it.”

Realizing that her financial habits were unsustainable, Jo decided to make a change. She stored her credit cards away and cancelled all non-essential subscriptions. The initial step was daunting, but she started by withdrawing cash for monthly expenses after bills and groceries. “Holding the money changed how I thought about it; it made it feel real,” she said. By creating a tracker and dividing her cash into envelopes, Jo aimed to gain a clearer understanding of her spending.

Although she encountered challenges in the early days, such as miscalculating her budget and becoming overwhelmed, Jo persevered. “I made loads of mistakes in the first three months,” she admitted. “I created too many envelopes, and the money couldn’t stretch as far as I wanted it to.” After reassessing her budget, she focused on prioritizing her spending and developed a system that worked for her.

To keep herself motivated, Jo transformed her budgeting process into a more engaging experience. She gamified her savings with trackers and shared her journey on social media under the handle @Cashbudgetbee. Her innovative approach caught the attention of her followers, leading her to sell her budgeting trackers on Etsy, which generated an impressive £2,000 in the past year. “I never thought it possible to find a way of making some extra money from my own debt-clearing journey,” she said.

Eighteen months later, Jo made her final payment on her credit card, a triumphant moment that filled her with joy. “Being debt-free is amazing; I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she expressed. For the first time, she entered the holiday season with savings, rather than relying on credit cards. “Having money to spend at Christmas was a great feeling.”

Despite her progress, Jo remains cautious about her spending habits. “It worries me that I’ll slip back as I’ve got 30 years’ worth of spending habits to break,” she said. “I’ve noticed some of my old shopping habits sneaking back in.” Recently, she recognized the urge to overspend when she found herself adding items to her online basket just before Valentine’s Day without having budgeted for it.

To maintain her momentum, Jo continually sets new challenges for herself. She recently created an e-book detailing her journey, generating £180 in sales. She also offers her top tips for others looking to take control of their finances.

“Only use cash for paying for items; this will help you know exactly what your non-essential budget is,” she advises. Jo stresses the importance of creating an emergency fund before tackling debt or savings. She also encourages planning ahead for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.

Jo’s story is a testament to the power of determination and practical budgeting. Her journey inspires others to confront their financial challenges head-on, proving that with the right mindset and strategies, it is possible to regain control of one’s finances.