Finally achieved my goals!!!!!

FatJock

Morning Peeps,

I hope no-one takes the following long post as gloating but I've finally become debt free. On top of that we've cleared the mortgage (or death grip), got married and have booked a hoilday.

I paid the last outstanding amount of my Halifax cc on Sat so it should hit their books today. All outstanding debts have now been paid (Banks loans, student loans, cc's, overdraft's etc etc). It's all gone. This is the frist time I've been debt free since 1995.

We also cleared the mortgage (with a help from the mother in law) and recently got married. We set a budget for this and haggled on absolutely everything from venue to entertainment to booze and even the photographer. It wasn't a typical wedding but it was very relaxed and a great day surrounded by family and close friends.

The holiday we've booked has mostly been paid from the £2 coin challange. It became like an addiction to me, I simply refused to part with any £2 coins that came into my possession. In total we saved over £1200 in about 2 years.

To tackle my debts I changed jobs several times and managed to secure a wage increase every time. I took a great deal of advice from members of this forum and became more money savvy over time. I cut down on the mad boozy lifestyle I had which was the main cause of my debt and set myself achievable goals. I learned to handle money again as I had to when I was on the YTS 20 years ago. At some point in the future I may end up in debt again (a larger mortgage possibly) but I am now in a better position to understand the debt, have the knowledge to shop around, haggle, work out the actual cost of any debt and make a more informed decission regarding it.

To those of you still on the your debt journey (and especially those just starting off) I wish you luck. We all know its hard and sometimes demoralising, especially when you have to deal with DCA's who can be vile, nasty and rude (may they develop hemorrhoids on a biblicial scale). Keep yourself focused and keep striking for those goals but also remember it's just money. It's not worth your healty of the health of your family to get worked up over this.

FatJock's Top Tips:

1) Embrace the Light Bulb Moment - come into the light.
2) Make full use of the knowledge on the DFW forum. Ask any question about your debt problems but prepare for brual open honesty in the responses (dont take it personally).
3) Read Martin Lewis' money saving book along with Alvin Halls -Your Money or Your Life (I found this a great help when starting out). Also try to read The Success Principles by Jack Canfiled. It'll make you stop and think. None of these book will in effect change your life but they will give you pointers, examples and guidance on how to. Its up to you to make the change.
4) Toughen Up - Banks, Ceditors, and DCA's DO NOT care about you. The simple fact is you may owe them money and they want it back. If you do not need to deal with them by phone then don't. May sure everything is in writing and keep a copy of all correspondence for reference. Fight them with all legal means at your disposal.
5) If you make an arrangement - stick to it. Before making any form of repayment plan make sure you can afford it. Stick to the plan and do not break it. If you do your creditors can call the whole debt in (its happened to me). If you stick to it, it'll be harder for them to take you to court and even harder for a judge to rule in their favour.
6) Have a Laugh. Although debt and debt management can be crippling for some people try not to let it overwhelm you. You may not go out as much or join in as many activities but this does not mean to have to lose contact with friends and family. A good laugh with some mates can work wonders when your feeling low.
7) Learn to HAGGLE - I haggle for everything. Most of the time it works other times I'm told to shove it where the sun don't shine. If you don't ask you do not get. Give it a try.
8) EMPOWER YOURSELF - Learn about your rights as a consumer and find out exactly what a DCA can do. Report them for breaches when necessary. The more you know about your rights the more you will know how to handle situations.

If you've managed to read this far I applaude you. Keep up the good fight and keep chipping away at those debts. I wish you well.

I'll sign off for now. In the words of the great Ringo Starr - peace n love, peace n love, i'm not signing nowt, ya hear me, nowt. Peace n Love.

FatJock

MrsPorridge

Just wanted to say well done! I certainly don't take your post as gloating. After all - its where we all want to be isn't it? Its good news and there is precious little of that around at the moment.

Well done and good luck for the future.

musclesza

Well done mate

dsljfreeman

Congratulations FatJock on becoming debtfree, what a wonderful feeling it must be.

I wish you all the best with whatever you do xx

tirlittan

Well done!All the best for future debt free life.

LittleEmms

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Not seen as gloating at all, in fact gives me hope!!

McKneff

Well done you :T

penniesgrowintopounds

Well done on a great achievement! :T

I don't see it as gloating at all ~ you've every right to feel proud. And, if you can help others like myself by passing on your experience/tips/support, more power to your elbow!

Wishing you both a happy and prosperous 2009 x

mummum2

Great, great achievement, take proud and 'big' yourself up, not gloating at all. Thanks for sharing and love your tips. Enjoy your DF life, can't wait to get there myself. :T :beer:

MM2

Puzzledbubbles

WOW,

Congratulations, i dont see it as gloating at all, i find your story so insperational, makes me feel that there is hope for me yet lol

x

Little_Pickle

how blummin amazing!
congratulations!!!!