Clear my debts in 12 weeks!

MoneyWaster2007

I've tried to stop smoking a rediculous amount of times; read the book 'The Easy Way To Stop Smoking by Allen Carr', that didn't work. Anyway, I switched to smoking roll- ups ages ago as it's so much cheaper than cigarrettes - I only spend £10/ month on smoking compared to approx. £168/ month if I smoked cigs and that's a big saving!!!

Methinks a cigar is in order on 4th December! I have a feeling these 12 weeks are going to be very lonely; the only time I see my friends is at weekends when I go out, but now I'm not doing that, the only people I see are my mum, dad and sister. Boo hoo sorry to sound so negative...

whitewing

12 weeks will fly by. Mums, dads and sisters can be very good company. Will hyou tell them about your challenge? Will you friends not be able to support you in your quest? (I guess it is different for blokes).

How much per day of the 12 weeks would you have to 'save' to clear your debts?
May be worth working out. Then you could start trading yourself a treat eg if you had to 'save' £5 a day, if you can earn an extra £5 from somewhere else you'd have more flexibility.

Sounds like smoking's fairly sorted if you can't give it up completely.

debt_obsessed

Just wanted to say good luck, I'll be following your 12 week journey with great interest!

I've got a while before my DFD but I understand how you feel, there is a fine balance between clearing debts off super fast and still enjoying your spare time. If I want to go out at the weekend, I either nominate myself as the designated driver (friends never expect me to buy a round as I'm drinking coke) or I buy a box of beer from the supermarket and get tanked up before I go out! :beer: then I only need one or two when I'm out
But anyway, good luck and we'll all be willing you on!

MoneyWaster2007

Thanks, I think the hardest part of these 12 weeks will be the weekends. I'm so used to going out on a Saturday night. But as I proved to myself when I stayed in this weekend, it can be done. Its just bit lonely/ boring. But I must admit it's a good feeling to wake up Sunday morning hangover free and with money in pocket!!! When I think about it, that's the only change I will have to make; I don't spend money on anything else ( apart from the occasional new top/ jeans to go out in - but seen as Im not going out, I wont need to buy any new clothes ).

As Whitewing said, 12 weeks will fly by. Oh yeah, I'm going to avoid eBay in case I'm tempted to buy anything!!! I saw a nice Casio WaveCeptor watch on there the other day aswell....grrrr. Ah well, in 12 weeks time I can buy 10 of them watches if I want! :cool:

Everhopeful09

Good luck with your 12 challenge. It will fly by and just think you'll will be debt free by Xmas.

I'm newish to actually posting on this site, but will keep tabs to see how you doing.

whitewing

how has today gone?

MoneyWaster2007

Hi, sorry I haven't replied earlier, been really busy. I'm doing overtime tomorrow and Saturday morning....AND every day next week!!! So that's more money to throw at the loan!! woo hoo. But hard work though

Yesterday, I bought a watch off eBay for £15.99. (I know I'm not supposed to be spending money). However, the watch I currently have doesn't have a date display and in my job I'm required to fill in lots of records and need to know the date. This will save having to ask everyone else all the time (and they dont know the date either half the time!) So...in an attempt to make that £15.99 back, I am going to put my current watch on eBay :idea:

Tomorrow is Friday - my favourite day of the week - because it means I get to go to the bank and overpay on my loan!!! yipee...I'm getting a bit sad these days haha. So as soon as that is done, I will update my signature to show off my shiny new outstanding balance!!!

whitewing

Lol, nice to hear you've got yourself a date!

MoneyWaster2007

'A date' - hahaha! I wish....

I'm having trouble lately working out exactly how much money I have, because I've had to lend my Dad £220, pay my sisters phone bill (she's paid me back now), have money coming out through paying for things on my card, all of which has to be pencilled in to get an accurate balance. Sheesh!! I'm on the lowest wage in the house and I'm having to bail people out, somethings not right there...although, I guess I have far lower outgoings than my Dad and my sister is s hit with money, so it guess it does make sense after all. I dont mind helping my Dad out, but it would be so much easier if I didn't lend money out and used to cash to buy everything rather than the card, that way I could see exactly how much I have in my hand...

whitewing

Same here. I lent my brother £300 this week. I will get it back at the weekend. It's annoying but I haven't the heart to say no. (And I get the opportunity to give him a lecture too-it's part of the deal).