A journey of a 1000 miles must begin with single footstep....

Woowoo

I had my light bulb moment back in August 2009, when I realised my debt had reached a grand total of £18,650.47.

The first step was to tell my partner and my friends the truth, which felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I now refuse to feel bad about saying 'I can't afford to do that'.

7 months on and to date I have paid back £2,132.51 (after Feb's payments) and I can honestly say I am a reformed character. I still feel sick when I think about all that money I have wasted on simply living way beyond my means and lying to myself that it would all be ok and doesn't matter.

I want to keep this diary as it feels good to be honest and put it all out there, and I know from reading other people's posts on here that its great to know your not alone.

So please wish me luck on the long and difficult road ahead to being debt free in time for my 35th Birthday.

Woowoo

Was feeling quite fed up with it all last night. It's not so much the being in debt, its the way it has taken over my every thought and I spend hours thinking about it before I can fall asleep.

My OH thinks I should pay less per month and take longer so that I can maintain more of a life, I disagree though as I am so focused on clearing the debt I want to beat my target not extend it.

Pay day tomorrow, can't wait to make my payments as that will give me a boost.

mendedmyways

GOOD LUCK!!!

Ive got a similar amount of debt, I agree with you saying you want to beat your target. In my mind the debt is like a sticking plaster... grit your teeth and rip it off, its less painful in the longterm that way!

My payday tomorrow too... spent all evening planning my financial strategy for March x

Woowoo

Thanks mendedmyways, it means so much to me knowing that other people are in the same position - good luck to you too x

So, have just paid all my bills a total of £487.51 sent out today, unfortunately a large chunk of that will go on interest.

I am quite excited though as I now only owe £324.72 on my Barclay Card, which I will clear on March pay day - only another 4 creditors to go after that!

I have a 40th Birthday Party to go to tonight and have been very good and found something to wear in my wardrobe, before I would have been straight up New Look! I have a £30 budget for tonight and I'm determined to spend as little as possible so I can dedicate some more money to my debts.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Woowoo

Just squeezed an extra £5 out of my budget to send to Barclays, had £15 put aside for Mothers Day present and have just reduced this to £10 - sorry Mum!

hypno06

Your mum won't mind - she wouldn't even know unless you left the price tags on.......:)

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi woo, well done on wardrobe shopping!x Its just not worth it, if you buy something every time you go out!xx

Woowoo

Only brought 2 drinks at the party on Friday and found £1.50 on the floor by the bar to put towards those! So paid an extra £24.76 off my Barclay Card this weekend, leaving a balance of £299.96.

Woowoo

Scraped together some more pennies, including the one I found in the road this morning and paid it off Barclays - now down to £298.75.

I do think I'm losing the plot sometimes hunting for money on the floor, but every penny paid off is another penny they can't charge me interest on!

Woowoo

Another £13.09 paid off the Barclay Card today, now down to £285.66.

Keep chipping away everyone!

mummytogirls

Well done Woowoo! I too think im getting a bit obsessed with this but I like to keep in this frame of mind which stops me from spending!!! x