What do you do when you start to lose motivation?

Marisan

Hiya,

yes,it can get you down sometimes,especially when other people seem to have money to burn (or do they? They might be getting deeper in debt while you are sensibly getting out of it.)

Out of my wages this week I'll have about £20 left after paying bills and a little bit more towards my debts._pale_

But...I'm not getting snotty letters anymore and when the phone rings I'm not scared to answer.And I know that one day I'll be debt-free and won't that be a day to celebrate!

My best motivation is coming on here because then I don't feel like the only one struggling.

Keep smiling

Reformed_spender_3

I know what you mean it is very hard to remain positive when everyone around you seems to be spending money all the time on fun things.

However, my own situation has made me realise (it took time to realise!!!) just what little things make me happy on a daily/weekly basis. And it is these things that make the difference, not having yet more new clothes or another CD etc. Actually, I enjoy small things like having a slice of chocolate cake or watching a film on TV. Okay, I make the cake myself now but the fact is I haven't had to give everything up. I also read more library books now as I don't waste time and money reading 'celebrity' magazines. I get a free suntan going for a ride on my bike. And I am learning how to cook new, fun recipes as part of my money saving routine. Plus, having finally (!!!!) faced up to my spending and doing something about it has released me from the constant worry and guilt and give me the chance to think about something else, ie returning to the old hobbies that I enjoyed before I left home and began to earn. ie. drawing and writing.

If I ever feel tempted to spend I watch a repeat of BBC 3 Spendaholics. That was what turned me around, and sometimes a repeat strengthens my resolve!

One final thing, my brother is going through cancer treatment at the moment and whenever I am down I think about how much worse his situation is...money is nothing compared to the threat of dying!

Good luck, and chin up
XX

FieryBlondeScot

RS..
i try to think like that too. i spent my 20's spending and had a great time running up debts but i look back to a time in my teens when i was sleeping on clapham common and i know this year has been tough mentally cos of the debt im in and the frugal life but i say to myself now i pay my council tax, my rent, my debts etc and i still have a little left to get by on, it is very very tight but you just gotta push yourself through it. it does make you stronger and smarter and all the people round you who are out having wild nites out and buying all the latest things are prob just going through what we have been through on the reckless. im 32 now and wont be debt free till im around 37 and i aint even got a mortgage or a pension yet!

my big wild treat to myself now is a box of tesco value chocolates which by the way taste amazing for 79p, now if i needed a pick me up in the past id go out buy a new outfit on a card, get my nails done, go out spend loads on drink etc and the whole pick me up could cost £200 eekkkk plus a chinese the next day cos id be too hung over to bother to cook!

im so low maintenance now! just have to drag yourself out of the consumerism culture for a bit, we will all get there, think of the people who havent discovered this site yet!!!!

reformedspender

Hello Reformed spender - we've got almost identical user names! Seems like we've got the same attitude to life!

ILoveHenryJames

fairylights wrote:

ps OP - you think you're going to look back on your 20s with regret? Imagine looking back on them and remembering hiding from debt collectors - OR WORSE!. Debt free day will come and then every penny will be yours to spend on whatever you want - without dreading the statement at the end of the month.COLOR]

Well said.

Try not to regret anything in life. Those who succeed do not waste time on such matters but concentrate on what the future can bring you, as a debt-free person!

All the best.

floridadreamin

Hi
My way to remotivate myself is to come on here and have alook around. There is always a story to lift my mood and sound advice to keep me going. If that doesn't work then I'm afraid it's back to the good old substitute " CHOCOLATE" but nine times out of ten this site does it for me.
I do look at what my friend and family are doing but as previously stated I don't know what their finances are like. Looks are often deceptive.
Thank you everyone for your inspiration

Berniesgirl

I think everyone in this thread is doing amazingly well and all of your tips are great. I wish you all a more than debt free life very soon.
Money mainly comes from hard work and being debt free mostly means a frugal life style but not always.
A year ago I was clinically depressed - never felt so ill - massively in debt to the bank and ccs, on benefits and didnt know where to turn. The depression meant that I was so unreliable as to be unemployable.
I followed all the appropriate tips on Martin's site and watched the boards too. Slowly, slowly things began to improve just a bit but I had a date of 2019 to be debt free and didnt think I could make it through.
Then I happened to see an ad on Channel 4 for contestants for a new game show w cash prizes and thought What have I got to lose? So I rang in. Went to an audition where everything I could do wrong I did do wrong. 2 weeks later they rang to say they wanted me but I would have to sign a contract agreeing to stay in a hotel at their expense for up to a month. They guaranteed a chance to play for the big money - £250,000!! At least I will save on all my household expenses I thought and agreed.
It turned out that I was only there for two and a half weeks and then it was my big chance. I wanted £50k to turn my life around. I did so much better than that - I still am not sure how.
I won £120,000! Gulp.
Now I am not telling you this to boast nor do I want to make you feel any worse about your situation. My point is that the most unexpected things can and do happen sometimes. I dont advocate gambling to get out of debt. That is about the most stupid thing anyone could do. But buying a lottery ticket once a month, or looking for a TV game show on line or getting only one raffle ticket just might do it for you.
Look out for the oddest opportunities whenever and wherever they arise and turn nothing legal down!
Now I am debt and depression free (fingers crossed on the latter). As well as savings (following Martin's advice again) I have started two small businesses from home and am half way to covering all my basic monthly outgoings. I will get there and more before 2007.
I sincerely hope that something as great happens to you. Never give up hope.
Oh and before you ask - it was Deal or No Deal. And Noel is lovely :heartpuls

Moths

Hi guys, Thank you so much for all of your motivating messages - I cant tell you how much of a help its been in making me feel a bit more positive! Sorry, its taken so long to post this message, I have been reading the replys for ages! Anyway, thank you, thank you and am going to print off all of your replies for some instant motivation when I need it (see post this month - I think I might need it more!)

reformedspender

I don't quite know whether this is the best place to post this or not, but it sort of ties in with what Berniesgirl had to say. I don't have much debt (anymore) (only a £100 balance on my credit card), but at worst I had £6,000 debt, was earning very little and paying post-graduate course fees.

I've found that the whole thing about being motivated doesn't end when you've paid off your debts because to stay debt-free I am constantly being careful. I think the years of being careful have stuck with me, but I'm always a little afraid that I'll fall back to my old ways. One of things I did was keep my worst credit card statement...it just reminds me what could happen if I don't check my own behaviour. I love coming here for motivation, inspiration and for ideas and am religiously advocating this site to anyone who will listen!

r1chard_2

read your post and thought I would register and tell you (and others) the following.

In my twenties I didn't want to look back thinking I'd had no money - so I borrowed to buy everything I wanted. As a result of the eventual repayments - I had no money.

I then met someone, fell in love and got married. Having never learned good habits - we both continued to borrow and spend. House prices rose, my career took off yet still our debts increased.

I'm now 35. Had I not had to repeatedly release equity from my houses over the past 8 years I would have a mortgage of less than £140k instead of the one I have for £190k and the £20k unsecured loan that I used to pay off my credit cards and the £15k debt that is back on my credit cards.

1 year ago we got serious with our debt reduction and proper budgeting - we camped on holiday (best holiday ever!), we sold one of our (two) cars and bought an old banger.

We are about to complete on the sale of our house that will leave us moving into rented accomodation and starting again - very nearly completely debt free but most importantly with new habits. We know that within 12 months we can be back on the housing ladder having saved a sizeable deposit with the money we are currently paying out in repayments and the reduction of rent against mortgage.

We're not bitter - we're glad we are where we are - making changes - three couples we know are going through IVA's (two of them have kids and it is stressful as hell).....so

KEEP GOING! It'll be worth it!