Enthusiasm for newbies

amosworks

Wow it certainly is a great feeling! I'm really excited for you too, it's a great rush

Although I started reducing my debts before I came to MSE (using CAM or what you folks call the "snowball" or something), it wasn't until here that I knew I could: reclaim my bank charges, dig a vegetable patch, drain the water system, get free food from Tesco, haggle with everyone for everything, use white vinegar to solve all my household problems, make cool stuff for free, and hardly spend any money doing exactly what I was doing before and BE HAPPY with my situation.

To say this site, forum and of course all the lovely clever people in it have saved me a fortune already is the understatement of 2006.

lynzpower

I know exactly what you all mean. Me & OH now have a life plan over the next 5 years thats not only achievable, but a really good solid future for both of us. It involves, downshifting to a cheaper flat, cutting back everywhere, and saving money wherever we go. Im not much closer to paying my debts off, but I have certainly avoided getting in more willynilly.

I love it here, and in a world of rampant consumerism, that Ive always struggled with, I can be amongst plenty of people who are like me getting slowly out of the trap of spending for entertainment that is so integral to the culture of the UK.

Long live MSE, and all who sail in her!

Batfink

While I admit I don't dislike the feeling of bringing my finances under control - for me its still nowhere near the pleasure of buying everything I want and not really worrying about when I'll be able to actually afford it.

Its just one of those things I have to do - 3 years of being miserable now to pay for the past 3 years of jolly spending.

The hardest part will be not allowing myself to repeat the cycle, that I do dread.

Phil

willow_girl

I agree that this site is addictive! I'm almost obsessed by saving money in various forms. I vowed that first time around that I wouldn't get into debt again, but did :eek: But through hard work (literately!) I have managed to clear my overdraft and pay my credit card off AND been fortunate to save something in the process :j I am so scared it is going to happen again but I know that there is support all around me from MSE. :T

Lemon_Tree

I totally agree with you, although i only joined this week and am still trying to completely clarify all my debts i feel that finally i have taken the first step towards getting on an even keel. I have tried many times before but the enthusiasm just wanes, but now with the grocery challenge i am counting ever penny, and desparately trying to find £2 coins to start my collection! Which i think are a figment of other MSE's minds!!!!! LOL
I really love the support that all the members give as well.
Lem

Lewby

Ali-OK wrote:

:j I'm just the same!

I can't wait for the next payment off a CC to go through the account, or the sub-£15 grocery shop. I don't even like getting cash out the cashpoint anymore!

Before, I'd always carry £20 "emergency" cash in my purse (that got spent) ...now it's more like £3.50 and I don't need my purse for days! (Perhaps the beauty of school run/office all day/school run/home/dinner/ bath/bed?!)

The other strange thing that's happening to me is that I see small amounts of money as important - always ignored it before!

Plus I've used alot of the hints and tips and like CAFCgirl, next month will see the weeks of changing insurance/cancelling stuff come to fruition.

It's exciting stuff!

I so agree Ali. I really look forward to opening my cc statements now as I like to see the decreasing balances. before I would leave them unopened on the shelf for months!!

It is amazing how pennies suddenly become so important. With my spending diary as my 'confessional' I have stopped spending all of the odd bits and have managed to reduce our overdraft ny £500 in the last 2 months!!

Who'd have thought we'd get so excited by paying off debt! It is quite addicitive.

Lewby xx

claireiom

I have only been on the site full time so to speak for about 1 week. I found it a long time ago but decided that it was easier to bury my head and carry on!

I have set myself goals to work to this week and am now taking pleasure in not spending money whereas this time last week it was pleasure in spending it!

It feels good to know that I am trying to get the debt down, I got myself in trouble with money when I was younger and have managed to let it slp slightly (only slightly mind) but that is not the point! I am now working on making payments to the debt rather than to myself, which is really nice.

Anyway all I want to say is to any newbies out there, spend time on the site look at ways to save and set yourself realistic goals. Above all enjoy not spending as much as you enjoyed spending...

CAFCGirl

Wow, it's so good to know that so many other people are feeling the same!

I know theres load of fantastic support from all the regulars and the die hards, well from everyone in actual fact. I'm like everyone else, I'm now addicted to this site, and really can't wait to get things really together!

So far, from being here little over a week, I've got my overdraft limit decreased by £50, which takes it to £300.and I'm still £10 within that! (Small triumph).It's payday tomorrow and I'm sending 50% for my bills to everyone, letting them know they'll get the next half in May.So they should be happy (only utilities mind you)!

So I feel I'm getting somewhere, bull by horns etc. Laying my cards on the table, and seeing what I can do within myself.

Long Live everyone's daily battle against the big bad debt monster.
As everyone has said previously, we can all DO IT, with a little bit of savvy, a good helping of commitment and jolly top support from this site!