Poor but happy at 55 need to be debt free to retire!!!

Claw_back_money

This is our second DFW christmas, and it does get easier - or at least feel more 'normal' not to be using credit cards (at all), and to know exactly how much is in the bank and to be completely constrained by a budget (if we buy this nice thing which other nice thing will we not buy). I think pre-DFW we were really taken in by this other world that said you have to buy all this stuff, on credit, and pay it back in the next few months. Funnily enough now that very idea feels weird!! Do you have any idea how much your credit is costing you? I added up bank fees and interest, and we paid nearly £2K in 2008, and nearly £500 this year! If you multiply that back over the years I think it must be a small fortune for us - it might be an interesting/ depressing but motivating activity to try?

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

Well that's it for me - shopping done, presents wrapped just got to get ready tomorrow and hope that the roads are OK.

Merry Christmas everyone I hope you all have the best time possible in a MSE way of course.

xxxxx

beanielou

Same to you

Claw_back_money

:xmassign:

Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

This is my first post since Christmas - unfortunately we've all had a really horrible D&V bug but the good news is I've lost half a stone.

We haven't opened all of our presents yet so we are going to have a little party tomorrow night for just the three of us because none of us feel like going out.

I've started some of my DFW plans for 2010.

Joined £10K in 2010 challenge.
Bought new diary to log spending etc.
Will meal plan EVERY week.
Am going to declutter in a big way - not just talk about it.

This is the start of my list and I will be adding to it.

As I have a couple more days off may investigate bingo.

Only one more day to go!! I intend to stay motivated for the whole of 2010 and the diaries certainly help.

PBH xx

boredofbeingathome

I have joined similar challenges. Thought a bit like yourself and am making resolutions earlier so will stick to them..with support from here.

Sorry you were poorly over Christmas- the bonus being that you have made it last a bit longer..
Have a good New Year. Bob x

Sun_Addict

Hi Pbh! Sorry to hear you were all ill over Christmas, join the club as my OH had tummy bug, DD and DS were full of cold all Christmas and I've just started with a bad cold. Lovely!! All our plans for going out were put on hold but at least we've not spent much! Like you I'm making some plans for 2010 and one of them is I've challenged myself to not buy any clothes/shoes/bags from 1 January to 1 April. Shouldn't be too hard as don't think I'll have much money for them anyway. I've also got tons of decluttering to do, will no doubt need to lose a few pounds and my new goal is to be debt free by 8 March when we go on holiday. I've also worked out a budget for the whole year based on last year's wages which I am hoping will improve next year if recession finally finishes. Once I'm debt free I'm going to concentrate on saving as much as I can.

Hope you have a wonderful MSE New Year!

Poorbuthappy55

I've had quite a productive day since I logged off this morning.

Put 15 items on Amazon and one sold straight away.
Cleared out 3 small drawers in my bedroom.
Put 3 items on ebay.

I will now have to go out tomorrow to post and I will get some party food because we're all staying in tomorrow night even DD!! She's still a bit under the weather so I'm looking forward to seeing the new decade in with my very nearest and dearest.

Sun Addict - I think I will pledge not to buy anything for myself other than essential toiletries until 1st April. I will then review and see if I can carry it on a bit longer.

Claw_back_money

Sorry to hear you were all poorly - I hope your celebrations and present opening are fun tonight.
Congrats on your decluttering and sales - do you mind me asking what sort of things you are selling on Amazon - is it novels?

Cheers
Cbm

Poorbuthappy55

Hi CBM

I've sold & posted 2 things from Amazon today. It's a mixture of novels and DVD's - the postage for a DVD and a thinnish novel is 76p each so profit isn't huge but every little bit helps. I've also got a bid on ebay so I'm well chuffed!

Every time I look at your signature I feel motivated you have stuck at it for such a long time.

Happy New Year and a DF 2010

PBH x