A bit of encouragement

Legacy_user

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd do the decent thing and post up about how much better things are now all my debt is under control.

First off I realise my debt isnt as huge as some peoples. But once you realise that you have taken control things get so much better. I am slowly climbing out of debt but what I have found is that as you climb out you begin to realise the value of money more and you also semi automatically become a bargain hunter. An example of that was last week when I went to Asda and managed to get 2 tuna steaks, 2 meat and potato pies,a loaf of bread and .5Kg of ham for 80p !!

But the best thing is, once you realise how much you spend on crap etc and how much of a difference £50 a month thrown at your debts can make, it makes you want to save money.

Also getting to the end of the month and having money left rather than incurring bank charges is the best. I can now sleep at night and know I will end the month in credit (well within the overdraught)

What it comes down to in the end people is cutting out un needed stuff and PLANNING.

I cut over £100 a month by switching from NTL to freeview, and keeping NTL only for phone line and Internet. My bill for internet and home phone is about £20 a month now, used to be £45 plus

Also gone from Contract to PAYG, saving another £25

Getting the water changed over to a meter

Paid of some low balance but high interest cards. Saved £30 a month in interest and charges.

All the above are the first few savings but it all mounts up.

However the most important bit is planning. Last year I had a miserable christmas because I had no money to buy presents and bags and bags of food and drink, as well as the fact the MOT and insurance are due in december. This year is different though ? Why ? I planned ahead and put £100ish a month aside to cover christmas and the car. Also buying presents that were cheap but practical (yes Christmas shopping is done ) And the best bit, I still have a modest amount in instant access savings for emergencies and I feel so much better and have not had to put anything on the old CC, which I only have one now, with a very good rate (8% pa) and a small limit.

Basically peeps, I know £13,000+ in debt seems a lot but it is doable and you feel so much happier once you know its under control !

Tips I use/found that work

Use online banking and check your account every day so you know where you are up and how much you have left for the rest of the month.

Avoid the 24hour shops, because looking at my bank statements they were my undoing. It may only be £10 here £10 there, but it mounts up over a month.

Taking your own meals to work saves a fortune too, think about it £3 a day * 5 days = £15 * 4 weeks = £60 * 12 = £720 a year. Same applies for office coffee, we (the IT dept) were putting in like at least £1 each a day ! Thats another £250 a year at least, bringing in coffee and long life milk works out much better financially and tastes a LOT better too I know everyone doesnt have time to make sarnies but there is nothing wrong with noodle snacks and suck if your in a rush one day and only cost about 30p from Tescos

Think about your food shopping before you go, and you can cut it right down. My food shopping now comes in at about £100 for the month, down from £200 a few months back.

Hope this helps someone but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Tondella

I think this is a really excellent post, especially since we have had some newbie wannabies posting in desperation over the weekend. Thanks for all your tips!

Quasar

Thanks 13000, that is a wonderful post, one that should be read by everyone who in debt, as it is so inspiring.

Years ago I was in debt by £6000 (chickenfeed compared to some others on here!!), and although I had planned it and knew what I was doing, it was such a relief when it was paid off.

You have the right attitude and have learned to take charge of your finances before you got too deep in it, and now you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

:T :T :T :T :T

Still reeling at the 80p in Asda for all THAT!

Sparklemonkey

Well done, some great tips in there! :cool:
When you start saving money and paying off things it really puts a spring in your step!
My credit record is starting to look good again too, it's great to start seeing the light! :T

ms_london

Yes, some very helpful tips in there. Well done!!!

Keep at it, and you will be debt free before you know it!!

xx

tattooed_lady

That's a brilliant post, thanks. I do quite a few things the same as you and have also cut down dramatically and even managed to SAVE money for the first time in ages!

System

Hi Guys n gals. Thanks for all the positive comments.

The 80p bargain - Well it was all short dated stuff but they went in the freezer and they tasted fine when I ate them, cats thought so too with the little bit I gave them.

It also helps the GF lives en route to ask for all the late night bargains.

Next week im gonna start biking to work That gets me fit as I cancelled my gym membership

As for the NTL, if you are on the base pack, like I was, you wont notice the difference in channels, seriously, the only one I semi miss is Sky One. Also if you end up having to have free view installed, ring round for costs because the one I had do it was 1/3 the price of some of them and he did a good job. Also if you already have an aerial they can usually use that and It saves you at least £20.

roversbabe

13000 wrote:

Tips I use/found that work

Use online banking and check your account every day so you know where you are up and how much you have left for the rest of the month.

Inspiring stuff - this is exactly what I do and once I got over the initial shock :eek: I feel so much more in control.

Good on you - you're doing really well

rb x

johannamse

It's not just newbies that get inspired by posts like this. I am in month 23 of living like a pauper and trying to get debt free. I get very bad weeks, where it feels like I will never be debt free / wonder why everyone else is on holiday / whether I'll ever have any money again.

These sorts of posts rejuvenate a weary debt free wannabe! Thanks.

pink_fairy_7

A great post 13000.

pink fairy x

ceegee

13000 wrote:

An example of that was last week when I went to Asda and managed to get 2 tuna steaks, 2 meat and potato pies,a loaf of bread and .5Kg of ham for 80p !!

I'm off to Asda today, but I doubt that I'll be able to beat that lot!

80p indeed....... excellent bit of shopping!!......:T :T :rotfl: