Slap me with a wet fish

mrcow

The easiest way of dealing with debt repayment is to do it all the day after you get paid. That way, you've chucked as much as you want at the debts in question and the money left over is yours to do what they want.

If you didn't have the money in your account/in the house, would you still smoke so much? Have you thought about putting money somewhere where you can't get at it immediately? And then using it to do something that would really inspire you (eg. a trip that you've dreamed of or an experience you've always wanted).

It's better to spend your money on something that will make you happy rather than spending it on something that is going to kill you off ten years (+) before your time.

For example, if you know that you (on paper) have say £200 a month left over on your SOA after livng expenses and debt repyaments that you want to make, then take say £150 out of your account and stick it into an account where you would eg. have to physically go into a branch to withdraw. Or even buy premium bonds as they thake time to cash in.

ClootiesMum

Well - how are the non ciggie days going? Sitting at night with a cup of tea at night is not nearly as nice as a glass of wine - but I know it's better for me...
Why is all the good stuff boring?

Have a good day

Fire_Fox

Where did you get the cigarette from? If you have kept some, get rid of everything including ashtrays and lighters. If from a mate, tell them to refuse you however much you beg. If from your usual corner shop drive or walk a different route home. Do not go in or near the shop! It's all about changing every habit that is associated with smoking not just the smoking itself. This is advice we give as stop smoking advisors, and people say it does work.

ClootiesMum

Hi there PollyDayDream

Hope today went well with the lack of ciggies. I had a REALLY bad day yesterday & wine was required (by DH too) but today loks more prominsing. Will catch up later.

Take care

hypno06

Pollydaydream wrote: »

Sorry this diary's a bit "smoking" dominated;

Polly

Don't be sorry! It is YOUR diary, and the smoking is all part of the debt free journey you are on!

SilkCutSilver

Hi Polly,

I'm in the same boat - very much an on off smoker, though I'm lucky in that in recent years my 'quitting' has resulted in me being able to reduce the smoking down to not-really-needing-one-but-wanting-one. I usually don't even get through a packet a week - I could probably stop even that and still save myself a few quid. Right now though I'm focusing on work and paying off my debts -I'll deal with the smoking later.

I'll be reading your diary for some inspirational tips though for when I do decide to give up the evil sticks once and for all!

SC

sammy115

Not sure if this will be much help but it took me years to finally quit for good.....but I have quit .....nearly 17 years now...

I have just caught this diary, the one thing that struck me was the slow burning flicker of wanting to get out of debt. I was like you and then one day I lost my job. It put a whole new perspective on life and money for food became a priority....

Just hang in on here and slowly but surely the ways of MSE will rub off...you will swap one addiction for another...:rotfl:

elantan

hypno06 wrote: »

Don't be sorry! It is YOUR diary, and the smoking is all part of the debt free journey you are on!

ditto what hypno said ...my diary is rarely about money ooops ...to be honest my problem is my health (weight in particular) i know it is a problem i am just waiting for tohe cognative shift to happen (any time now please) ...but you are proactively going looking for it that is great ...maybe i need to do that too ...i know i need to do something and soon before it goes too far ... like you i also recognise the feeling of wandering around in a daze

Fire_Fox

Pollydaydream wrote: »

Morning Fire Fox - I didn't realise you were a stop smoking advisor; it's really good to have you here.

I had some cigarettes because last time I stopped I was following the Gillian Reilly way (about choosing to accept the desire). I sort of still feel that I have to make a choice about this and anything else is not really facing up to it. The problem is that the "I want to stop smoking" switch isn't really, fully on and I don't know what to do about that.
Polly

I have the Gillian Riley book (must actually read it ...) as well as Allen Carr but the former is the one the NHS specialists I trained under prefer. It's worth trying every method going, you will find the right method for you as we are all very different animals!! The NHS advisors get you to explore your motivators for and against with them through open questions (motivational interviewing) and I have seen clients that this 'thinking aloud' approach works a dream with. At least you know the stop smoking service is there so you can give it a try when you are ready to. :T

elantan

sounds to me like you deff have the right frame of mind ...