Motivation and Will Power

vmf199 · 8 August 2012 at 8:48PM

Hello All

I was just wondering how people stay motivated or if anyone knows good ways of doing so. I find that like a diet with food, I can go for so long and then I sort of have a 'blow out'.

The last 7 months I've been doing great and this month I'm spending money like nobody's business. Does anyone else have this?

Any ideas on how to stay on track and keep motivated?

I do find these forums inspiring and perhaps I should do some of the challenges, I just feel I need motivation for that even. Sometimes I sort of have a bad week and then think oh what's the point, I'm never going to save or whatever and then spend.

Any inspiration/motivation greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance
Vicky

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determined_new_ms · 8 August 2012 at 8:53PM

hi vmf199! erm really is hard sometimes! I try to do things that I find exciting to keep me motivated. So I get thrills without spending cash. Getting into a hobby that your feel really happy about. I try to be a minimalist so try to find things to do & enjoy with out buying things if that makes sense

I am df now but still have a very frugal mind set. I used to - and still now - look out for free things to do in the area. Realise that I don't need new gadgets, clothes etc and when there is something I want to do which costs more than I can afford I try to raise the money aside from my salary

Its a continual learning curve!

oh and I try to learn to do the things that I want to spend money on. So I watched a tutorial on eyebrow threading and now do it myself. Monday I wanted a haircut so watched some tutorials and gave myself a trim. Am trying to learn to sew so I can make clothes. Silly but I get really excited about these things

mildredalien · 8 August 2012 at 9:03PM

Ah motivation is tough

Personally I figured out what I was prepared to give up and cut back on, and what I really wanted to keep in my life that I enjoyed. Like a diet, it's unrealistic to think that you are going to go for months or years without having something that you really like and look forward to, whether it's chocolate or a new haircut! I read something recently that people who have a small amount of something they enjoy are happier than people who gorge themselves on as much as they can. So, my advice would be to find something within your means that is important to you and save for it. Looking forward to a small thing every week or month that you can savour and enjoy can keep you going when you are scraping the bottom of the freezer for mystery food to keep you going

Doesn't have to be expensive, maybe a new nail varnish, magazine you enjoy or trip to the cinema. Could be something more if your budget allows - a day trip or meal out perhaps.

It's worth knowing what your goals are too, whether you need to pay off a large debt, live frugally or save for something special. Maybe break down the bigger goals into smaller ones, that way the happy feeling of reaching your goals will come more often!

vmf199 · 8 August 2012 at 9:07PM

Thanks, yes that's a great idea thinking about a small treat or something to save for. And I definitely get need to break down the goals. I get overwhelmed by thinking, right I need to pay this off, then after that I need to save for a deposit, then I need to save for a car etc etc the list goes on!
I'm just going to try and do a 6 month plan and set a goal or goals and treat for that.
Thanks everso.

vmf199 · 8 August 2012 at 9:12PM

Determined new ms - that's really cool, learning how to cut you hair and other things! I did fix our tap using a 'how to' video on you tube which I found v satisfying and exciting.

Great idea to buy treats out of money that isn't salary. I think I may have got carried away this month and it's the first time my current account has been in credit, so I guess I freaked out and felt I had to spend it! not used to seeing it in credit! and it's been nice feeling a little flush.

btw what does your hair look like?

coxy1072 · 8 August 2012 at 11:48PM

Greetings all,

I often find comfort when reading the posts and threads on moneysavingexpert.com, the stories are a great source of inspiration and motivation.

As i battle to pay off the money i owe i like to look at where i have come from keeping in mind where i am heading, my partner gets very annoyed with me constantly writing down figures and things that i am going to do with my income once the household bills are paid, i find that it helps keep me in check so that i don't splurge if there is spare money and by keeping a diary i can look back at how much i owed 3 or 6 months ago, works for me, i will be debt free one day!

vmf199 · 9 August 2012 at 6:50AM

thanks, yes these forums are very motivating

I do keep a daily expense record and other spreadsheets which I find good.

And last night I actually went through some of them again and re-focused on my next goal which I needed to do. I think I need to just tackle each small goal at a time and not think too much about all the goals I eventually want to achieve.

BigMummaF · 15 August 2012 at 8:21AM

vmf199 wrote: »

Hello All

I was just wondering how people stay motivated or if anyone knows good ways of doing so. I find that like a diet with food, I can go for so long and then I sort of have a 'blow out'.

The last 7 months I've been doing great and this month I'm spending money like nobody's business. Does anyone else have this?

Any ideas on how to stay on track and keep motivated?

I do find these forums inspiring and perhaps I should do some of the challenges, I just feel I need motivation for that even. Sometimes I sort of have a bad week and then think oh what's the point, I'm never going to save or whatever and then spend.

Any inspiration/motivation greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance
Vicky

Not that I'm a very good example :whistle: but I found THIS THREAD quite inspiring.

If you do find somewhere that sells determination by the kilo, can you order a repeat delivery of a tonne every four hours for me please

Loubell83 · 15 August 2012 at 8:33AM

I have an envelope system, so I have envelopes for all the sections in my life i.e. bills, petrol, groceries etc. This helps me not overspend in those areas!

In my system I have an envelope called Treats. I put £25 a month in there out of my budget so I know thats what I can spend. It might be a DVD or I might not spend one month so I have £50 the next to buy something nice. I know people say that all spare cash should go to debt, but I think that £25 a month stops me spending loads on treats!

Triggles · 15 August 2012 at 8:34AM

I struggle with this too. The worst time for me is spring and summer - I find it much more difficult then. Oddly, I seem to be better over autumn and winter - perhaps because it's cold and we stay in more, perhaps because I'm already feeling good as it's my favourite time of year (holidays, etc) and so then don't need that "boost" that spending can sometimes give, if that makes any sense.

hummingbird · 16 August 2012 at 5:05PM

I like to save up loose change - there is a machine in my local branch of HSBC which you can pour the change in and it puts it straight onto your a/c without charging commission like the ones in supermarkets do. Only problem is if you take change in to town and find the machine is out of order! It's heavy to carry round!!:rotfl:

I do find this helps with motivation though as it all adds up very quickly! :beer:

Motivation and Will Power

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