How to balance becoming debt-free with having a life??

Moneytroubles_2

Moneysaver, I know exactly how you feel as I'm the same sometimes! But as people have said your so lucky to have realised this now, i'm 24 this summer and had my LBM last year! Somethings that help me get through are....

Tesco Club Card Points - I do my shopping at tesco where I can and also get my petrol from here, the points are worth 4 times there value online so if you collect £10's worth of clubcard points they convert to £40 online and you can use these vouchers for the cinema, restaurants etc

Hair - Have you looked at your local college? Most have a hair and beauty section where you can get treatments super cheap from students

Vouchers - not sure where in the country you are, but I am collecting the vouchers from the sun for alton towers at the mo, and always have my eye out for a bargain

Socialising - get friends round to your house for some drinks (Bring your own bottle) also hold a virgin vie party / bodyshop / ann summers, its great fun and the host always gets X amount of money to spend themselves, at my last virgin vie party I got a lovely necklace for being the host and with the commision I earned from others orders I bought a dinner set and 4 wine glasses (I am very sorry If I have got you wrong and your a male - obviously these suggestions wont be your thing - eeeekkk??)

Fitness: have you considered running? Its free

Clothes: If your desperate you can pick some lovely clothes up at tesco / asda / sainsburys / primark quite reasonably priced.

Chin up love, you will get there xxxxx

theoretica

If you buy black underwear it doesn't go grey.

niccatw

Hey honey

I know exactly how you feel! It's very hard when your friend's laugh at you or keep telling you they haven't seen you for a while and you deserve a night out... when we know we can all easily persuade ourselves we deserve or need whatever it is we want this time!

Though those same friend's are the one's that ask me for money advice!! (Look at my sig and you'll realise that's my chance to laugh at them!)

I was only half-heartedly tackling my debt as I did feel I was denying myself lots and nothing was any fun any more. I've since changed my way of thinking and joined my local leisure centre, for which I pay a monthly fee. I can use all their facilities and keep the receipts when I go so I know it's worth it. So far it's been going well.

I also decided i'd get a proper haircaut every 3 months - after about 2.5 years of no hair cuts at all, it's bliis; it's my pamper time!

As for the clothes; I'm a charity shop junkie . I love them! And my friend's do find it hilarious that I dye my work clothes back to black or my grey-whites various shades, including turquise, cerise and purple. I feel thrify and frugal and I Look less drab too .

Hang in there and work your budget so that you can perhaps save a little towards those driving lessons too - do whatever you need to do to make it easier on yourself?

Can you do mystery shopping where you are? I see this as my money, so anything I get is put towards clothers or nights out rather than debt-busting.

Good luck and stick to it where you can. Don't beat yourself up when you fall off the wagon, just dust yourself down and jump back on!

little_h_2

theoretica wrote: »

If you buy black underwear it doesn't go grey.

I couldn't agree more although it can go a bit green after a while!

I am finding it hard too. I am trying to balance managing my debt so I can pay to do some vital home improvements so I can sell my house to reduce my outgoings. I feel like one of your hamsters stuck in the wheel, but I too am a fan of the Clubcard deals (they are great for Pizza Express addicts like me!) and I have a very supportive bf who doesn't mind buying dinner every now and then thank goodness. He doesn't mind me being really tight in the supermarket because he knows why I'm doing it.

I also started getting into debt when I was 19, I'm 31 now and it will be a while before I am debt free,

Coming on these boards really helps me when I am feeling like there's no light at the end of the tunnel. I've saved lots from the weekly email and I have learnt lessons that will stand me in good stead for the rest of my days.

Good luck!

LeeSouthEast

A little bit of pain now, will give you so many options later. I didn't tackle my debts until I was 25. I wish I'd done it when I was your age. Keep at it. A little bit of "going without" now will empower you !!

determined_new_ms

Hi Op - excellent that u've decided to get a grip on debt so early and have so many more stress free years to enjoy ur money and buy what you want to! There's loads of advice on this site about still having a life and being debt free/frugal.

A friend of mine gave me an excellent tip re ebay. She advised me to go into the shops that I like and try a variety of clothes (dress/tops/trousers/jeans etc) then I'll know the styles that suit me and sizes that fit in that shop then buy it on ebay (sorry I know it'll be on this site somewhere!) since she told me that I haven't bought any clothes in the high street! Just go for the things you need at a low price, and within whatever your clothes budget is/could be. I wouldn't recommend for knickers...

Going out there's loads of stuff you can do. Be the one to organise gatherings so you can choose something free/low cost. I've joined a local music club/bar. It cost £5 for membership (as long as the venue survives!) and then its free to get in any night no matter what bands/comedy is on and there's a discount on a bottle of wine for £10 and between 2 or 3 is cheap - the others can drink more if they want! Go out for a meal with 241 vouchers. Meet for lunch and (window) shopping at the weekend. Invite them to yours for a meal and a get together/clothes swapping event. And when its a big night out you'll be able to duck out.

And of course this forum is so inspiring it makes clearing det/living frugally fun and motivating!!!

determined_new_ms

Oh also I get a hair dresser come to mine. He costs £10 for a cut every couple of months, he's good and very flirty so good for the ego too! Ask around

one_hot_minute

Well done Moneysaver.

gonzo127 wrote: »

do you know you friends actually have the spare cash or are they just getting themselves in more debt to have the lifestyle now? i would be shocked personally if it is actually spare budgetted cash for all these nice new things they have! i think if you went deep into their finances they are probably getting themselves in a world of debt trouble for the future

That's quite a sweepign statement!

i1189

I find a spreadsheet helps - I put monetary goals into boxes, and as I reach each goal, the box is programmed to go green. Sadly I've now got a bit obsessed with it - I have a spreadsheet full of green boxes and I'm terrified of spending any money...

Thriftyknickers

Try this for a free swim - http://www.britishgas.co.uk/about-british-gas/british-swimming/free-swim.html I've read on another forum that you don't have to be a British Gas customer.