debt - happy endings?

ozzyfan_2

has anyone got an inspiring story of how they have paid off all their debts & how life has changed for them since?

I have read some of ms_londons posts & what she has done is fantastic, I wondered if anyone else has done the same.

I am having a miserable day & could do with some hope! Hope it will help others too to see what they could achieve.

Big hugs also to everyone who could do with one today!

Thanks

bank_of_slate

Keep holding in there ozzy fan!

Do you keep a diary of changes that you have made so far? Or write a list! Every time you feel down, look at it and remind yourself of the changes you have already made and that it won't be sorted out overnight.
Chin up hunny!!!! Can you do anything nice for yourself today? I give myself a nice manicure when I feel down, it reminds me that I AM worth bothering about.
...Linda xx

ms_london

Aaw Shucks!! :A

What kept me going was posting here, and being able to "talk" to people in the same boat. I realised that I wasnt alone, and it would soon be over.

Paying off debt isnt fun, but it wont be forever - and at least while you are repaying your debt you are starting to get your life under control, or at least your finances anyway- which is a huge weight off your shoulders!!

Have you posted your SOA?

You also need to strike a balance between having a life & repaying debt - something I didnt, but it was different for me being single & easier to be selfish & throw every spare penny at my debt, but I was also a little hard on myself!!

Good luck & keep up the good work, soon you'll be posting about your debt free day.

Ms_London

bumblebee_3

Sorry to hear you are feeling misreable today hunni x

Totally with Linda on the diary/journal. I have one myself and they are invaluable, great for writing down how you are feeling and then reading back at them and seeing how much you have achieved. Even a pad of unused paper would do the trick.

Be hopeful, you are using this site to get support and doing something about your debt - huge achievement!

Totally do something nice for yourself today like Linda has suggested, get yourself in a bubblebath with a book and remind yourself how well you are doing.

Let me know you are getting on.

Kevicho

Im still a fair way (6 months-ish) from paying mine, but what i have paid so far makes me feel a lot better, and also knowing what i am doing is the right thing and will help me out so much in the future is a real boost

I have bad times, were i feel weighed down, or disheartened but i either get on here, play some games or watch a video to take my mind off it

I also find that talking to friends helps , because it not only enforces in my mind the situation, it also tells them that im not going out every night drinking (for the time being at least) and it may even help them take a look at what they are spending and turn them on to this site

fairylights_2

We've just paid another big chunk of the cc off - will adjust signature when it clears after the weekend - which gives us two more months payments. In about ten weeks we will be debt free and I CAN'T WAIT :j

I think the three motivators for us have been seeing those numbers getting smaller (and the smugness of not giving the ccs so much interest each month) seeing other people going through the same as us and getting out the other side and my lovely spreadsheet. I update once a week to make sure the numbers are correct and it tells me how much we can spend each week. It even tots up the balances for to come, so I can see we should have just over £4k sitting in savings by the end of the year. It's been a real boost because it gives us such a clear picture of how life can be. We'll be able to buy a new bed (still on cheap handmedown after nearly six years of not being able to afford a new one) for starters!

Just keep focussed on what will be YOURS from each month's pay packet when you're not giving it all to your creditors - that should keep you going!

ozzyfan_2

thanks to everyone who replied you are all doing so well and it has been really motivating to read your stories:)

linda - you are always around to give support, thank you you can never know how much it means to me to think that someone cares. I have been writing a list each day of what I have to do as regards CCCS, changing banks, DLA letters etc & try to deal with anything that comes in the post the same day so it is not on my mind at nights. A diary is a great idea one day I may look back at it & wonder why I worried so much!

ms_london - I think you are the nicest person, you could have reached your debt-free date & started a new life but you carry on helping, supporting & advising total strangers on here & people like you restore my faith in the human race.
(by the way I posted my SOA last week, thanks to those who helped)

bumblebee - thank you for your kind message, am going to do the diary & am so glad to have found this site, you are all fantastic. Am going to sit down with a book later, we have a great charity shop quite nearby & they have just opened a new book section so treated myself today (3 books for 10p!!!)

kevicho - thank you too, you have only got 6 months to go thats fantastic you have done brilliantly & 6 months will go so fast! you sound as if you are an inspiration to your friends too.

fairylights - thank you for the advice & I bet you are so proud that you have only 10 weeks to go, how are you going to celebrate? I bet you will feel like shouting from the rooftops, that is a great achievement!

I am feeling a bit more positive this afternoon & would just like to say that I think that everyone who contributes on this forum deserves a medal. I find it overwhelming sometimes at the kindness & helpfulness you show to complete strangers who are going through difficult times & may not have anywhere else to turn.
So thank you all & I hope to return the kindness & help I've been given to others on here.

xx

bank_of_slate

Great to hear you're feeling more positive ozzy!

I'm so glad that I can help, I also get the benefit as it motivates me in return!

Everyone on here has or has had their own financial mountain to climb, and no matter how big or small that may seem to others, when you are faced with it, it's all you can think about!
...Linda xx

ozzyfan_2

Linda - from your signature you are doing brilliantly, you must be very proud of yourself

bank_of_slate

Aww, shucks!!

I've gone all red!!!
...Linda ;o)

fairylights_2

Cheers Ozzyfan!

We are planning on celebrating a load of stuff at once - it's OH's 30th this year, so I've been keeping aside a bit of my earnings and selling stuff on ebay and doing millions of online surveys to be able to take him to Montreal for an early birthday gift. We're due to go in May, once the dust has settled and we've got some spending money.

I have to say though, that the intention is to get on with saving, but since it's such a special time for us (wedding anniversary too, and a completely new beginning being debt free - since we've both been in debt since we left home to go to Uni) we figured one trip wouldn't be too bad. not for a long time either, just four nights, but enough of a break from the two tinies to feel like a lifetime, I think!

Next year's my 30th, and we're hoping to go to Peru for a week just the two of us - depending on the size of our savings! :j