Mola makes it to Debt Freedom at last!

Molanole

That's it! I've done it . Debt freedom is now mine!!! £40,939 to NIL in just over four years! Only a few days after my planned debt free date as well!! :rolleyes:

How does it feel? Weird I suppose, I've been planning this day for such a long time that it's a bit like "oh, ok, that's it then" rather than jumping around the room and celebrating. I feel a bit bitter when I think back over the amount of interest I have paid back to the banks by getting into debt, consolidating, adding more debt, consolidating again, etc etc etc.

I'm sure I will get over that when hubby wakes up though and I can start telling people!! In fact, I think I will put it on facebook. :j

So, the potted history....

Lightbulb moment:

Was in April 2006. I was going through a really low patch like I normally do around my birthday, feeling angry with then boyfriend, now husband for not helping out, feeling frustrated by my debts and generally not really knowing what to do. I don’t remember how, but I stumbled across DFW whilst just browsing the web. I think I was googling debt related words for some kind of bizarre, painful, wallowing relief. Actually - I remember now, I was on the verge of consolidating again and had been turned down for a loan! I found the snowball calculator and it changed my life!!! lol

Like most of us, I lurked for a while, it might have only been a few days, and then I made my first tentative steps to post my SOA and I’ve never looked back since.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=190308&highlight= :doh:

Yes, there have been ups and downs, and I’ve realised I would never be strong enough to be one of the DFW who ebays everything they own, lives off tuppence, and makes 10 a day from selling washing machine fluff - that was all going to be way too hard for me. I learned, after falling off the wagon the first time, that it’s all about perspective and balance. What works for one DFW might not work for another – you need to find what motivates you and stick to it. Yes, in those very early days I could have cut back more, I could have ditched the gym membership, I could have stopped the occasional meal out, but I didn’t as without the little treats to keep me going, life all seemed like drudgery and becoming debt free totally pointless.

So, having worked that out, it’s been an easier ride from here on in. The biggest thing I have learned, is how not to be so wasteful. When I look back, I can’t believe what I used to spend on rubbish. Food that would go off in the fridge, taxi journeys home etc etc. Hubby and I are having a frugal Christmas this year, but so far it’s proving to be the best one yet!! We actually have more time for each other now that we’re not busy wasting our money in the pub.

And what a four and half years it’s been. I’ve had serious illnesses, I’ve faced redundancy, I’ve had work stress like you wouldn’t imagine, I’ve got married and now we’re facing hubby’s redundancy. But – with this place, and with my DFW friends all here to support me, it’s all been doable – tough going at times – but I knew we’d get there in the end.

So, whilst I thank EVERYONE on DFW who has helped me on my journey, there are a few people that I have to name as they’ve been extra amazing, most the people below have been here since the start of my journey and have kept me laughing, picking me up when I’ve been low, or generally just giving me a good old virtual kick up the backside:

In Search Of Me
Elantan
scottish spendaholic
Lynzpower
Gemmzie
Sea78
OberonSH
Southern Scouser
rog2
lennymfo
Jamesy
ms_london
nearlyrich
chevalier
themaccas
hypno06
beanielou
moozie
jessicamb
taxi73
Snaggles
Verbatim
Anniestar
immoral_angeluk

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T


So, this is it for me. The end of my journey. Don’t worry though, I don’t plan to stray far. I quite often pop into the Arms for one, and with my first major debt free purchase being a PC – I reckon I’ll be on the techie board too. So – I will lurk around dfw to see how you are all getting on. I might be debt free but I’m not strong enough to cut the ties just yet!

Happy Christmas everyone.

Mola x

lynzpower

Hey darlin!!

CONGRATS!

I was only thinking I hadnt seen you around much, Oh im SO SO SO SO SO pleased you are all sorted.

Just dont go spending mad now

Whats next for you then? Any plans for all this spare dosh

robsmum_2

Congartaulations and well done! Thank you for posting the story also as it helps those of us who are only just starting. Happy Christmas

mummum2

Well done, soooooooo happy for you. Enjoy being DF :beer::beer::T:T

MM2

ms_london

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

WELL DONE MOLANOLE. You have done SOOOOO well, and have paid of so much so fast!

I do remember when you first joined MSE - where has that 4 years gone? (although probably hasn't really gone that quick!).

Have a great Christmas and a wonderful debt free new year.

Sounds like you've been through heaps on your journey, so make the most of the reward of being debt free.

xx

ms_london

Molanole wrote: »

So, whilst I thank EVERYONE on DFW who has helped me on my journey, there are a few people that I have to name as they’ve been extra amazing, most the people below have been here since the start of my journey and have kept me laughing, picking me up when I’ve been low, or generally just giving me a good old virtual kick up the backside:

In Search Of Me
Elantan
scottish spendaholic
Lynzpower
Gemmzie
Sea78
OberonSH
Southern Scouser
rog2
lennymfo
Jamesy
ms_london
nearlyrich
chevalier
themaccas
hypno06
beanielou
moozie
jessicamb
taxi73
Snaggles
Verbatim
Anniestar
immoral_angeluk

Are these guys all still regular MSE'ers? I have to admit I'm not on here as often as I was, but it would be great to catch up virtually.

Have an awesome christmas everyone xx

Seaxwyn

Well done Molanole, that is incredible! nearly 50k in 4 years, awesome.

elantan

hey mol ...so you did it ...i knew you would ...not only that you did it your way me dear and that has to be the best way to do it...it actually has reminded me of a few good things that i think are easy to forget


reading your story has to be one of my favourites so far i love the way you tell it like it is (always liked that about you lol) ...i wish you and that wonderful new husband of yours an amazing journey together from here on in it gets more fun ...your doing it for you now not some bank

Gemmzie

Fantastic! Congratulations :T :T :T :T I was wondering about you the other day actually when I went back over my first thread I wish you all the luck in the world for the future

Ms London, AFAIK still around is:
In Search Of Me, Elantan, rog2, lennymfo, nearlyrich, hypno06, beanielou, taxi73 and Snaggles

jessicamb - on gambling boards
immoral_angeluk - sometimes around

I haven't seen for a while...
Southern Scouser, scottish spendaholic, Sea78, OberonSH, Jamesy, chevalier, moozie, Verbatim and Anniestar

Silverbird

Many, many congratulations :T

Sounds like it's been a hard slog, but you got there and only a few days off your DFD, which is fantastic.

Congratulations and enjoy the freedom.

beanielou

So so pleased for you hun
Got quite emotional reading your post.

Have a fantastic Christmas.
I miss some of the oldies who are not around now especially scottish spendaholic.Sometimes people just touch your life for a little while & then move on.
Hi ms london~hope life is good for you & Lynzpower too.