Dealing with my debts - going ebay neutral in 2008

Dinah93 · 28 January 2008 at 1:02AM

Hi all

First time posting a thread on the DFW boards, but you guys seem really friendly so I'm facing my fears! I had my lightbulb moment this month, and realised that excluding my student loan I owe around £12,000. I also realised that technically I could clear this in a year as most of it is 0%, and if I go OS in my food shopping, cleaning budgets etc, meal plan, don't spend frivolously, and always leave my cards at home, and left in my desk drawer instead of by my laptop so I can't unthinkingly spend on so call bargains online. My house is rammed with stuff - must learn that I don't need more!

To this end I have decided to challenge myself to live an ebay neutral 2008. To me this means that for personal spends (ie not food, cleaning, elec, gas, water, rent council tax, the things i term necessities) I have to sell something before i can buy something new. My paypal account links directly into a (currently empty) savings account, so I can build up a fund in there early on, and spend it when I find something I really want. I'm going to try to use this for everything down to a magazine, to clothing all the way up to (hopefully) a holiday this summer. i have shelves and shelves of books I can weed through, a shocking 11 :eek: rails of clothes (yes this is almost an entire room in our house), some of which have never been worn, loads of gadgets, decorations, kitchen paraphealia, dvds, cds etc, so lots to start off with, which should give me a decent place to start off with in making some funds and clear the clutter.

Anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome, I've found several types of ebay challenges, but all seem to be geared to a specific amount, and I apologise if this has been done before, but I just wanted to share my plan with you guys, as hopefully this will make me better at sticking to it!

MaggieBear · 28 January 2008 at 1:08AM

that's a really good idea - I think I'll join you, I'm hoping to fling some of my ebay/amazon money at my debt, but certainly not spending money I've not earned from selling what is basically crap seems like a cracking way to keep any potential frivilous spending in check.

So, anyway, yes, count me in!

poorandindenial · 28 January 2008 at 1:12AM

:wave:Hello

What a great post - I love the idea of not buying unless you have earned first.

I too have loads of old [STRIKE]cr*p[/STRIKE] highly prized posessions that I keep on looking at and thinking 'ebay' and 'carboot sale'. Your post might just galvanise me into action!:T

Zebedee69 · 28 January 2008 at 1:18AM

Cool idea, iv not enough stuff to sell though (Had to sell most of it!) so il watch from the sidelines..............

ciarasdreams · 28 January 2008 at 1:21AM

I have already sold absolutely everything of mine that I do not actually need for survival and as of today an awful lot of my sisters things or I would join as well but I would like to wish you good luck and lots of success with your challenge.

boredofbeingathome · 28 January 2008 at 1:23AM

I would love to join in with this challenge as well, although i don't think that i would be able to be completely neutral but i was thinking for the grocery budget so i would be looking to get £180 per month, certainly a big saving for me. Thankyou for the idea.

Dinah93 · 28 January 2008 at 1:23AM

Oh that's a great start thanks for the support guys! I've made a box in my study (read clothes and books room with a desk buried under shoes in the corner!) to put stuff in that needs to be sold, and I have a day off from work on friday (it's my birthday, I don't work birthdays!) so I'm going to be absolutely ruthless and fill it and then spend sunday listing items. Unless i find out ebay have a cheap listing day coming up, then I will save it until then, there is nothing i NEED right now, so it can wait till I've made some cash. Already started the year off to a good start by selling my spare laptop on ebay last week as it hadn't been turned on in a year, and I made £199 in doing so

Sue-UU · 28 January 2008 at 1:56AM

Right that does it, I'm definately going to be kicked into action and get on there with my lot! I've belonged for several years....but only ever bought!!!!!

I've always promised myself to sell my stuff "some day soon", but some day never came - until NOW!

Thanks a lot Dinah, your kick's been much appreciated so now I'll go and get sorted exactly what has to be done to 'set up shop' so to speak. I wish you so much luck in getting your things sold....and HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Friday! Have a great day and let's hope it's the start of a wonderful year/life!

Thanks again, so much, Sue

bathgatebuyer · 28 January 2008 at 10:47AM

I've been on an Ebay neutral thing for a while - that's how most of my Xmas pressies and the like were funded this year. It's went well as I know have a bit of space in my cupboards and wardrobes and have managed to avoid the temptation to clutter it right up again with stuff!

MaggieBear · 28 January 2008 at 12:14PM

bathgatebuyer wrote: »

It's went well as I know have a bit of space in my cupboards and wardrobes and have managed to avoid the temptation to clutter it right up again with stuff!

That sounds perfect, too :T - I've ended up with so much stuff and not enjoying it; I can't wait to be rid of lots of it

kinkypixie · 28 January 2008 at 12:26PM

I too will join you in this, although I have rapidly been running out of stuff to sell, I will go home tonight and get myself and my stuff sorted!!! Need to clear at least £6k this year!!!!!

Dealing with my debts - going ebay neutral in 2008

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