Joining the club

pandapaws

Absolutely. Different things work for different people - some people can throw everything to paying off their debts and save every penny, they cancel sky, cancel the gym membership, only shop in Lidl, sell their car and the likes. If I did that, I'd end up depressed so I stick with the 'moderation' approach - try and cut down a bit, but don't worry about it too much. Suppose I'm fortunate that the books balance as it is so I don't have to reduce spending too much.

Look forward to seeing your total for the end of May - even if it's just a couple of quid less it's better than it would be if you were still getting into debt.

Dithering_Dad

the_drifter wrote: »

I hear what your saying PP. Keep looking at my spreadsheet and it says that with time my debt will go down, and I wish I was there now. But that would mean I would miss out on a whole lot of living, which I know I have been partly guilty of in the past.

Getting the balance is important, so you last the distance

Hope you don't mind me butting in.

We've been paying down our mortgage as part of a MSE financial challenge and sometimes we've felt deprived financially, especially given the sort of income I've generated over the past couple of years and the meagre expenditure we've had.

However each time I think of loosening the reins, I remember that 'stuff' didn't make me happy - it's the fact that we're becoming more and more financially independant, and that the worry we could have had during this recession has been greatly reduced by knowing that we did everything possible to reduce our debt liabilities and to save up a substantial emergency fund buffer.

'Things' don't make me happy, but knowing that I have put a secure roof over my family's head does. It's certainly a much longer lasting 'high' that the one I get from retail therapy.

the_drifter

Had some positives last couple of days that has given me that extra boost.

It's not so much the 'stuff' but experiences that I think I missed out when younger. Saving for a wedding and an expensive marriage and subsequent divorce changed my perspective on that front.

I know that I'm still very lucky with what I have and appreciate that. Hope to obtain financial independence one day, though likely to be some way off. One day at a time...

the_drifter

Made it to the end of the month and pleased with the progress. Put in for some additional overtime so hopefully will help over the next few months.

Had an expensive weekend, taking DS to the zoo. Is it me or are all them parks/zoos etc extortionately priced. Did take a packed lunch, so nothing spent on food.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun

pandapaws

Yep, everything that's designed to involve kids tugging at parent's heartstrings is completely and utterly extortionate. Good on you for taking the packed lunch though, I really need to do more of that.

Good to see another chunk off the debt for the end of May. You'll probably overtake me soon!

the_drifter

Continuing to make progress, at a slow and steady pace.

Going to have to repay the money I borrowed from family, probably by the end of July, so though that doesn't impact my total debt, will mean I will be paying a bit more in interest each month.

Enjoy having the sun on the on hand, though suffering from hayfever on the other. Making me grumpy. Feel like just popping those anti-histamines like tik taks to get rid of the grotty feeling.

pandapaws

Hopefully the cheap antihistimines that Martin's always banging on about

makeup

Just read your thread, you have done amazingly in just 6 months. That DFD is really coming down!

I hope you feel justifiably proud of your achievements!

And I completely agree about the cost of all of those zoo's, theme parks and the like. Do you have a Tesco Clubcard? You can use your points towards the entry fees in some of those places. Or look out for deals on here.

the_drifter

Of course PP

One step ahead makeup. Used clubcard vouchers from my mum's account to make to get 2 Merlin passes. Been saving them for a while and never really had much use for them, but when I saw the annual passes, I became a Tesco demon to get enough points upto the quater just ended so I could get the passes for summer. So next week off to Madame Tussauds - with packed lunch of course!

the_drifter

Another month, further steady progress. reduction of £850.

Sold a couple of old phones, expect the money in a few days, and trying to sell a few bits and pieces on ebay.

Enjoying the sun, wishing I could get more time to enjoy it. Did have a dip in motivation about a month ago, but feel back on track now. Making my sandwiches from work and planning my evening meals better to avoid waste and anything too expensive.

Hope everyone is having success in their own way.