Slaying my debts, the second year

Buffythedebtslayer

I realised the other day I have been on MSE for a year now. I can honestly say it has changed my life completely. Not only in terms of money but in terms of my personal life as well.

I hadn't really thought about where my life was going or what I wanted to do for a long time. This last year (espcially the last month or so) examining my debts and spending patterns and the stuff I own was a revelation.

I haven't lowered my debt by any huge amounts but I have managed it a lot better. I have a budget and have allowed myself to do the things I want whilst still making repayments and often over payments. I have also shopped around more and used deals and points etc.

I read my old diary - essentially a whinning whingefest and realised that I want instant gratification - Open university must be done NOW everything must be listed on e bay immediately all clutter gone all debts paid off. I set myself impossible tasks and then moan when I don't do them.

The more stories I read and the more people i "know" on here the more I realise that I had better grow up. things don't happen instantly just because you want them to. They take a lot of time, much more then I realised.

It is blinding obvious to me that my wanting everything is where all my post uni debt comes from. At uni I was scared of debt and keep it to the minimum. once I started work I operated on the theory that I could pay it back so it didn't matter, except I couldn't. Now I am trapped in a job don't like, spent money "cos I deserve it" and can't change jobs till I out of debt.

I never realised till I kept a diary on here how much pressure i put on myself to achieve things (impossible) and then how much I moan!!!:o:o:o .If you have trouble sleeping or want to punish yourself do read my previous diary! its not pretty- although I made lots of friends - thank you to everyone who posted. And also how i have huge plans and ideas and never follow them through.

So this debt slayer is going to take it a little easier in terms of goals. I am still aiming for December 2009 as my DFD but it really is going to be slow and steady wins the race. Good grief what a naff thing to say!

So current debt

total debt = 20591
which is loan = - £16,971.91 (7.9%)
and cc = 3620 (interest free till April 09)

(I may amend later due to online banking being unavailable)

I have also realised how lucky I am and that actually I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself. I have had a brilliant life in many ways and it is up to me to make the most it.

Right so self examination over! no more comteplating my navel! Action .

aims for today
1. post office with e bay parcels
2. make one payement
3. list one item
4. do 27 fling in my room!
and I won't start any other jobs till I have done those 4. (babysteps)

so see you all later.

Love Buffy

xxx

OliveOyl_2

Baby steps, steady progress - All such grown up things to have as aims
Your new diary sounds positive, just as you have been recently. It's good to look back and measure progress isn't it?

Good luck with this next stage/year. And it's a really good thing to be happy with yourself

DwainDibley

I have only read the first few posts in your other thread Buffy but a lot of it rings true with me too. I too am trapped in a job I don't like and have just decided that I really must do something about my debt. I'm just toying with the idea of starting one of these diaries myself.

Good luck with the debt reduction/elimination, I'm going to read through more of your other thread, I'm sure it will help me in my quest to become debt free!

hypno06

Happy MSE Anniversary!

It seems you have made lots of progress - this debt paying malarky is a bit of a journey isn't it!

blackclouds

Hi buffy just wanted to pop into your diary and say how do as the help and support you and others have given me in my short time on here has made the world of difference, hope to start my own diary soon

skint_spice

There's nothing wrong with huge plans! I suppose it depends though - you could feel you aren't going to achieve your goal and give up half way or keep going and manage to achieve 9/10 of it. But if you don't aim high you may never know what you can achieve.;)

Anyway I only popped in to say good luck! Dec 2009 isn't too far away now you know!:D

WorkingHardDFW

Full on admiration for reflecting back so candidly on whats gone before.

i think we can all learn about ourselves. I've been a DFW for about a year now although we've paid off a huge amount so far we've a long way to go. We are also aiming to be DF by December 2009 so we can encourage each other along.

Good luck and enjoy the journey :T

ltm07

Good luck Buffy & I know where you are coming from here. OH & I set our goals on being DF by my 40th birthday in less than 5 years, but this was going to be impossible to achieve so we decided to put it back 5 years & try to gain ground from there. By doing this it allows us to do all the things that we want to, whilst at the same time slowly clearing our debts. As you say, you have to make the most of life & whilst the ultimate goal for all us DFW's is to be DF, there is no point trying to clear our debts ASAP & being stressed & miserable in the process. All the best & good luck on your DFW journey!!

taxi73

Nice new positive diary..sounds great and DEc 2009 isn't that far away in the grand scheme of things...xxx

Buffythedebtslayer

Wow thank you everyone. I love this place!

So I set myself four things to do.

1. post office with e bay parcels done

2. make one payement done

3. list one item semi done relisted three items and four books on Green met.

4. do 27 fling in my room! just off to do that now.

Also took a bag to charity shop.

I feel really sick and have done for about four days now. any ideas?


xxx

Buffythedebtslayer

Done my room 27 fling thing turned in to a tidy up of book shelves and rearrange of Cd's. Room looks sooooooooooooo good and so does the conservatory!

I have three boxes, one draw and one cupboard to tidy up tomorrow plus cleanout animals. and get my sister to update/sort out computer.

hmmm. I am doing it again!

four little things only.

1. payment
2. e bay
3. cupboard
4. Pets.

I need a special light for my fish tank it costs 20 quid. hmmmmm

can't find it on the internet.

pants. maybe on Sunday I could go on a reckie to find one.

xxx