My Soa Not Pretty Reading!

olly300

nirelandguy wrote: »

My Mrs is the worst offenders for this, She works in a supermarket, it has the benefit that she gets first refusal on reduced items, we have a nice roast for tomorrows lunch reduced from £6 to £2:D However she also see's all the treats, we have a cupboard out there full of bloody chocolate,sweets and general junk.

If you don't have the money or a debit card with you then you can't spend it.

Nomad25

Have I missed something here? You say you need a car. You don't drive and are thinking of starting your own business - is someone else going to drive you around and to your customers?

System

Nomad25 wrote: »

Have I missed something here? You say you need a car. You don't drive and are thinking of starting your own business - is someone else going to drive you around and to your customers?

Don't laugh, but what was the idea, I know I know:D I just want to do something I love, and going out on my own is the only way

TurnaroundSue

nirelandguy wrote: »

And can I just ask you guys, how do u keep motivated? Motivation comes and goes with me, I'd just like to know how you keep your heart in it? Because as said before "it takes time, it takes patience and it takes effort"

The thing that keeps me motivated is coming on here on a daily basis. I do some of the challenges like the no spend, grocery, mortgage free, but what really turned it around for me was the Unnecessary challenge which was started around 2 years ago for lent. We were not allowed to spend on anything unnecessary for the 40 days and I did it, I bl**dy did it!! At the end I had money in my bank which was a first in years and it completely turned my head around about how I dealt with money. Within 15 months of that challenge I was debt free and even though I still am, I come onto this board and try and help others out who are where I have been. Not long ago, I didn't have the confidence/knowledge on giving advice to others, but now it really helps me knowing that I am giving something back (well hopefully anyway!)

My OH has never been a big spender and he has never been on this site, but me talking about it all the time and him seeing the benefit of what I was doing made him realise that this site is a valuuable tool in our house. I would suggest that even though your wife cannot turn on a pc, you can still sit her down and show her this forum. I feel that you have come so far since posting - look back at your original posts and you will be able to see how far you have come in such a very short space of time.

Good luck and keep the motivation up by continuing to post on this thread, telling us all how you are getting on and what you are achieving. No matter how small, it will really help to keep you focused.

Have you tried the snowball calculator - as this will give you a debt free date which is a real motivator in itself, trying to bring that date ever forward. Maybe try some of the challenges.

Good luck and I will be following this thread as your progress - even if you are having a bad day do not be afraid to come on here and tell us - we will soon put you back on the right road.

hypno06

My motivation - well, just the thought of being free of debt keeps me going, and the choices that in itself will bring m. At its worst, I was paying over £2000 in minimum payments alone (and that's without my mortgage!). If I don't have that debt, that means that in theory, I could book a great family holiday EVERY MONTH, or I could buy OH a new motorbike, or I could treat myself to a fabulous shopping trip, without having to borrow a single penny to do it, or I could refit my bathroom and PAY CASH.....or......or......or

Alternatively, I can do nothing, and spend the rest of my working life avoiding opening the post, and moping about because I can't afford to eat out on my birthday.

For me, that is a no-brainer, so it keeps my motivation strong. I am not saying that I don't have bad days, or bad weeks - sometimes I feel as though the slog is never ending.....but the support on here pulls me through, and keeps me going.

Nomad25

Don't laugh,

No I wouldn't do that, but you've got to put your practical head on. Most people

want to do something I love,

, but can't afford the luxury.

Baby steps is the way to go: lessons, pass test, get banger, keep job/income whilst you set up business, establish good business base, make enough money to dump job you hate and do work you love. Get a mate or relative[not OH - it can cause serious strife] to teach you to drive, then just pay for a few lessons at the end before you take your test to make sure you do it right.

Set yourself small targets - don't try and run before you walk.

I am self employed in a job I love, took me and OH a long time and absolutely no unnecessary spending/luxuries for 10 years, then 3 years doing two jobs and finally have been out on my own for 7 years..

Forris

Just a couple of thoughts regarding the PC repair job.

Are they any other people in your area that offer a similar service? Will you be filling a gap or treading on someone elses toes (with the result that neither of you get much work)?

While I sort of agree with the guys that have said that you are not in a position to start a business, I think you can do it but you need to think a bit more long-term. The main thing you need to be succesful in this type of business is a good reputation. How about doing some work for free to start with (maybe just for friends and family) or calling any local charities to offer your skills as a qualified IT tech? This would get you known and stop you from getting rusty. Then, when you have got your driving licence and are more mobile, you could start advertising and just take a bit of work in your spare time.

rosered1963

[Don't start me on pay:mad: Northern Ireland is the lowest paid region in the UK yet cost of living is apparantely the highest outside London, so work that one out, at least London has the high pay.

Yes the Open Uni, I have already been there, got a certificate in I.T, I did start another course this year but unfortunately dropped out as it was going in a route I didn't want to go, I have sort of went as far as I can with the Open Uni without going in a direction I don't want to go if that makes sence:rolleyes: Its an A+ Certificate in I.T I need but it cost £250 So still trying to work out how to pay for that, but then even with it is ther any guarantee of a job?]

Hi again Nireland Guy.

You're right - qualifications are no guarantee of a job. Well done though on your OU certificate - it all helps. Don't want to go off topic, but unless you are firmly routed in NI, I wonder if you have thought of moving to where things might be better... my friends (she hairdresser and he IT specialist) have just gone to Australia with their two little ones and they love it. Life is so short, so I would consider a bit of lateral thinking if I were you. Good luck young fella! Rosered

System

rosered1963 wrote: »

[Don't start me on pay:mad: Northern Ireland is the lowest paid region in the UK yet cost of living is apparantely the highest outside London, so work that one out, at least London has the high pay.

Yes the Open Uni, I have already been there, got a certificate in I.T, I did start another course this year but unfortunately dropped out as it was going in a route I didn't want to go, I have sort of went as far as I can with the Open Uni without going in a direction I don't want to go if that makes sence:rolleyes: Its an A+ Certificate in I.T I need but it cost £250 So still trying to work out how to pay for that, but then even with it is ther any guarantee of a job?]

Hi again Nireland Guy.

You're right - qualifications are no guarantee of a job. Well done though on your OU certificate - it all helps. Don't want to go off topic, but unless you are firmly routed in NI, I wonder if you have thought of moving to where things might be better... my friends (she hairdresser and he IT specialist) have just gone to Australia with their two little ones and they love it. Life is so short, so I would consider a bit of lateral thinking if I were you. Good luck young fella! Rosered

That would be my dream, to go to Australia, I've never been out of N.I, If I had the money and no ties I'd go tomorrow. Don't know about the missus, I mean what is it about women and there mothers:rolleyes: But anyway, a friend told me today that you need £2-£3K in your account before they let you in to Oz, My bank account hardly ever see's £200-£300:o

[Deleted User]

nirelandguy wrote: »

That would be my dream, to go to Australia, I've never been out of N.I, If I had the money and no ties I'd go tomorrow. Don't know about the missus, I mean what is it about women and there mothers:rolleyes: But anyway, a friend told me today that you need £2-£3K in your account before they let you in to Oz, My bank account hardly ever see's £200-£300:o

Hi there, I lurk a lot on these diaries, and don't normally post (as I am lucky to be debt free - no savings, but debt free!), but you asked how to keep motivated - and then in your last post you said that it would be your "dream to go to Australia" - how about that being your motivation then??? Just a thought, I know it will take time to sort your debts and your "dream" might have changed by then, but if it helps - aim high!

And good luck, I am in awe of a lot of people on this thread and the commitment they have to getting out of debt.