What are you doing to get debt free .... join in!

funkymonkey

thats fantastic news!

Dr.Shoe_2

I spoke to MBNA today got the interest stopped on both the loan (£3559) and Credit card (£4459). Now paying £40 and £50 per month respectively.

LookingAhead

OK I am typing this out in WordPad and will copy & paste in after my last little episode! Don't want to risk my blood pressure going through the roof again, lol!

OK since discovring this thread/having lightbuld moment/becoming a DFW I have:

Cleared overdraft on most expensive bank account, which started out as an account for me to deposit some money into each month for myself...and quite quickly became £500 overdrawn with a stupid APR. That's cleared & closed.

Cleared overdraft on bill account and although I sail pretty close to the wind most months, I have been able to stay in the black for a while although not able to save any real money yet.

Have cleared a fair amount off of CC's and cut them up so I cannot add to them. Have set a target of end of 2006 to have them both down to zero and then accounts will be closed!

Have written to two store cards to close accounts that have been at zero balance for ages but the cards were sitting in my purse tempting me from time to time. They have now been destroyed.

Have been able to cut shopping bill from £50 a week to between £35 - £45 per week usually...sometimes still goes to £50 but I am horrorstruck when it does (usually when all hygiene & washing stuff etc comes at once) and make promise to cut back the following week.

I have started being creative and more handy around the house to save money.

Discovered Pigsback & Quidco which are EXCELLENT. Quidco is especially a Godsend.

Started banking loose change in purse rather than keep it there ready to fritter away on c r a p at the first opportunity.

Discovered the joys of spending diary - oh what a way to focus the mind on weak areas! Brilliant.

Started shopping in second hand shops again.

Sold quite a lot on EBAY & Amazon which helped clear my first overdraft.

I've been really honest with friends and told them NO when I really can't afford to do stuff instead of thinking "Oh another tenner won't hurt" (oh yes it will).

Admitted my debt amout to partner which was a relief and now we work together where possible to whittle down costs.

Given up giving myself a "budget" for 'me' stuff each month and now just have to see where the money is coming from to pay for a cd, gig ticket or whatever (this is where Quidco is excellent).

Given up using the tumble dryer & tv (practically!) to save electricity.

Switched gas & electric suppliers via Uswitch (via QuidCo of course!)

Fitted energy saving lightbulbs (many of which I got for free) where possible in the house.

Turn lights off when I leave the room and don't leave ANYTHING on standby.

Sign up for freebies all over the place!

Discovered Stardrops!

Take HM lunches into work EVERY DAY without fail.

Make HM muisli - packet of oats, big bag of sultanas and sunflower seeds last ages at a fraction of the cost of ready made muisli and it's good for you!

Drive wherever possible instead of taxis (I barely drink these days anyway).

Use Orange website for 30 free texts a month. Buy text bundles from Orange though which works out cheaper than sending singles.

Get lifts to & from work whre possible (car sharing) tosave on bus fare. People did offer this...I didn't harass them!

Last but not least......started to look to the FUTURE instead of fretting about the past and my dodgy financial history.

Phew....if I think of any more I will come back.....!

OberonSH

I now budget (didn;t say I stick to it), meal plan, take a shopping list to the shops and basically think about money 24/7......... I now hate paying for anything, and am starting to develop OCD about making sure my debt lists are up to date.

I also have this funny little habit of leaping across the counter and killing old ladies should I be forced to gove a £2 coin in the change.

ozzyfan_2

wow LA, that is impressive & glad you got it in the thread second time around! :j

wannabedebtfreebeth

foreverskint wrote:

Working on adult chat lines to earn extra money:o

But it is a laff:rotfl: :rotfl: :rolleyes:

Any chance of more info on this - several of us semed taken with the thought "I could do that!"

Thanks

Kevicho

Things i have done include (but not limited to)

1. Posted regularly on here
2. Cancel sky
3. Renegotiate a better phone deal
4. Claimed back bank charges
5. Took sandwiches to work (although on a semi regular basis)
6. Researched and listened to lots of finance ideas
7. Put a plan of action in for my own business
8. Paid off 6.5k of debt (was around 8 debts, now one) and helped others
9. Cut down majorly on nights out
10. Worked lots of overtime for spare money and built up goodwill in the process
11. Changed my entire philosophy on most things
12. Made new mse friends
13. Started to dabble in shares
14. Start building my own flash website

there probably is lots more which i will think of

wanttobedebtfreenatty

This is a fab thread so thought I would put mine in.

I have done so far.

Reduced the SKY payment (Couldn't cancel as haven't had for a year yet)

Sold a few items on ebay and amazon total about £150 extra.
Carboot - Didn't make much money £23 after I had taken out expenses.
Now take Lunchs into work when possible
Now a Consultant for Partylite and hold and do candle parties
Also sell Avon.
Don't have as many takeaways If any at all
GIVEN UP SMOKING (very proud of myself 5 weeks now)
Always use my tesco vouchers and make sure that I use the clubcard when shopping.
Join pigsback

Can't think of anything else at the moment, but I am sure that there is more

yeslek

~ i dont eat out as much anymore - i'd go out straight after work and buy lunch/dinner, now i make sure i either take something to work with me or go home first.

~ i'v transferred the balance of one of my cards to one thats 0% for 9 months

~ signed up for as many loyalty schemes as i can (greasy palm, quidco, nectar, tesco etc)

~ stopped spending so much on dvd's / cd's - instead i'll rent dvd's and user vouchers/discount codes if i really must have a cd (which i buy from cheap sites ie cdwow) (i'v joined screenselect to save on dvd price)

~ selling stuff on ebay

~ i ALWAYS check here first before buying anything.

~ restricted the amount of gig's i go too and instead of paying buy credit card and forgetting to pay it back i bank transfer immediatly after booking so i dont run up higher bills in the long run

~ i flash my student card any chance i get

~ i try an drink tap water now and again when i'm out not just to save money but as its healthier.

~ i dont buy anything i dont have the physical cash for- again, to avoid credit card bills.

~ i shopped around for cheaper card insurance (saved over £200)

~ i offer to do more overtime at work instead of chilling at home or possibly spending money


i'll see if i can remember any more

moohound

Only had lightbulb moment recently so still starting out on debt busting, but so far I have,

*sold broken, bent and naff gold jewellery for £115

*Banked saved change = £71

*cut up all 3 credit cards and 1 store card

*given debit cards to OH (who is not an idiot thankfully) to look after

*cut up QVC membership card - impulse buying for the bored!!

*cancelled hotel chocolat membership - shame!

*stopped going in department stores with beauty counters until Ive used up what I already have - about 5 years then!

*stopped buying cappuchino from work canteen drinking healthy water instead.