Progress report

8pnoodles

Ok, so in Jan 2005 I owed £10,649.

The whole "living on virtually nothing" idea went out the window dead quickly. But I've been trying to get creative nevertheless.

I've been sticking to a strict budget and keeping spending diaries to make sure I don't overspend. I now live on pigsback.co.uk, and quidco.com

I currently owe £7218, but more like £6500 as I have my profits from matched betting (see how to make free money from gambling introductory offers) which haven't been used for my debts as of yet, as they are rechanneled back ito matched betting to make me even more cash.

My aim is to make £2k from matched betting then pay off my debts in one big chunk later on this year. My current profits are just over £700, from the end of January. £1300 to go. I find it easier having a specific target.

I have £484 to snowball with and I'll have a pay rise in April which will be added to my snowball (assuming my rent doesn't go up or anything!).

I have lots listed on ebay and even more will go on this week. I thought I'd ebayed everything I could but found some more stuff (check everywhere!). And I am gonna do a car boot sale when it gets warmer.

Fingers crossed I should be debt free by Christmas this year, if I'm really lucky, maybe even October!

I'm in the final running now, and some days I'm so motivated it's unreal, but have real attacks of "it's just not happening fast enough".

I need to sustain this mentally for a good 9 months or so. I'm worried I'm going to lose steam.

charitygirl

Well done - that sounds great!!! I've really tried to understand how this matched betting works as I'd really like to have a go, but I can't fathom it.

But well done!!!

8pnoodles

You have to treat it like a parttime job, take it VERY seriously. I spent a good two weeks just reading about it, then did a couple of "test" matched bets, and kept detailed notes on lots of spreadsheets to figure out how it all worked. I still get stumped sometimes though!

charitygirl

I just don't have a head for figures!!!!! Maybe one day!!

richgirl

matched betting

Is that like free bets, you deposit soem and then withdrew your deposit after you get a matched amount ? Sounds like it

skintchick

Hi 8p noodles! I wondered how you were doing. I check on your blog every so often but no updates from you naught girl!!

Glad it's going so well.

8pnoodles

Yeah sorry Skintchick, I've given up on the blog. I don't feel I need it any more. Life is moving so quickly for me!

I don't have time to write it!

For any info on matched betting, please read the board, it's all there and saves me having to repeat it.

I'm getting nicely obsessive about nectar and clubcard points. Every little helps.

My motivation is once I'm out of debt I can change jobs and move in with my bloke. So no pressure or anything! lol Hence me running around like a mad thing trying to get as debt free as quick as I can. No messing about.

It's really tiring! lol