Tips for positivity

missrabbit

Wow, thank you all so much for all your responses and advice, it has really made me realise that i have done well so far and not to be too hard on myself.

I have got a second job at the moment which is helping a bit with the money but not so much with the social life

I will keep ploughing on and hopefully it will get easier, but thank you again so much for all your kind words and support. This forum has really helped me turn my debt problems around and I'm sure it will continue to do so!

SuSu1871

Hello there!

Well, firstly I'd like to say a big WELL DONE for doing so well in such a short space of time!

As you can see from my sig, I'm now debt free :j and it took around 2 1/2 years to do it, but I LOVED the feeling of being in control of my debts and tackling them head on! Here's what helped me through:

• I tackled one debt at a time (I know it should be highest APR first, but I got rid of the little ones first, so I was left with one BIG one) -worked for me
• I created a 12 month spreadsheet and listed every outgoing so I knew exactly how much money I had every month (don't forget birthdays!) I tracked every single spend and used every spare penny/pound to chuck at the debt. This helped me to control my spending as well ("would I rather have X or pay £Y off my debt?")
• Remember that it all adds up! A bit here and a bit there can add up to knock a month off your debt free date.
• I sold stuff on ebay - great fun and good for the soul to have a clear out!
• I made lots of money on Matched Betting (but be sure you know what you're doing with this one - took my brother weeks to get me to understand it)
• I visited this forum every day - for tips, advice and support. Loads of support.
• I decided that once I was debt free I would save to buy a house, and once my debt required very little management, I focused on how best to save. I even created short list on Rightmove :rotfl: I daydreamed about watching my savings grow, buying a house and how I'd decorate/furnish it...

The main thing is... don't dwell on how you got into debt. Focus on getting out of it. I can honestly say that while getting into debt was easy and foolish, getting out of it was the best, most character-defining thing I have ever done. I am a much wiser person for it, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Keep on keeping on!!

SuSu

Mikeone

This is definitely the right place for your post. DFW is about so much more than purely financial matters. As the other posters have said, it’s about making the right lifestyle choices and taking control of things.

Like Mylastfiver, I’ve set educational goals for myself alongside my debt reduction ones. I’m just starting an MA which will take 2 years to complete. I’ve mentally linked the two targets, so while I’m busily working on my course, I’m not spending so much money. Also, I’ve got the next two years planned out, during which I’ll try to shift the bulk of my debts.

I suppose the thing is to keep occupied, and to keep your goals firmly in sight. I use spreadsheets to keep my progress (even the smallest success seems to keep the motivation up), and I regularly check the Debt Free Roll of Honour to see what I stand to gain in the end.

Above all, keep visiting DFW. I lurk more than I post, but even so, I feel part of a club of like-minded people, and I feel enthused about my efforts with every visit. :j

roxiepie_2

Hello Miss Rabbit

First of all, take a minute to congratulate yourself on how much you have paid back so far - that really is a great achievement :j

Everyone's different, but I've found the following have helped me keep focused and not wonder off onto something else (such as continuing to spend!):

• Spreadsheet - the more detailed the better. Mine shows me all my upcoming outgoings against my monthly income so I know how much I will have available to repay debts with each month
• Percentage paid - I've worked this into my spreadsheet so that it updates everytime I pay off some more debt. Is lovely seeing it go up and up bit by bit!
• Challenges - there are so many on these boards (there's a sticky at the top of the DFW forum with a list of them), so just pick one or two that suit you. I've got one myself that you're welcome to join http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1760909
• Breaking everything down - this sort of relates to some of the challenges, but if you take things in bite size pieces they're much easier to deal with. Just focus on paying of £x before a certain date. The 1 debt Vs 100 days challenge is good for this.
• Tracking spending - Bit of a pain to start with but once you get used to it, it really helps you understand where your money is going. And you can set yourself targets to reduce different areas of spending each month. Just carry round a small notepad or put it on a spreadsheet of its own.
• Debt Free Day - work out your debt free day using the snowball calculator. Will make you realsie you wont be at this for life, and you could even plan something nice to do once its all over.

Hope some of these might appeal to you. Keep going, you're doing really well! xx