when did you find your will power?

Dreamer2010

Im getting really annoyed with my self

LBM was november 09 and i feel like im not doing as well as i should be/ could be. Its not just about clearing my debt but also about learning to live with in my means.
Ive cleared the OD but not through hard work but luck really as HB had underpaid me so got a lump sum of them, CC im doing well will be clear in may.
But im still struggling to say no to myself when i see something i want and end up putting it on the credit card and then paying off in full the month after leaving me short for 'me' money the next month and its turning in to a vicious circle.
Im still spending way to much on food is a big downfall as i just dont feel like cooking for one after a day at work. Im 23 and dont want to end up clearing all this and be back worse in a couple of years, Just getting really down about it as never seem to have any money.

x x

karmachilovething

Hey Dreamer,

I'm just starting off on a similar road, and I'm worrying about finding my will power too. I don't have any particular advice I'm afraid! But I thought it would be nice to here you're not the only one having issues!

My thinking is that if there are people expecting you to do better (such as the lovely people here) it will push you to not let them down. My weakness is clothes, so I've joined the £100 Crazy Clothes Challenge. I think the idea of telling all those people I've failed to resist will be enough of a deterrant!

Maybe you can find yourself a cooking-for-one board (or start one!) so that you can get some specific support.

Good Luck!

Yargo1

Hi, i struggle with telling myself i cant have things ..even though i know i shouldnt... but i find if i come on here each day and read a few of the threads it at least helps to make me not so bad !

Faye449

karmachilovething wrote: »

Hey Dreamer,

I'm just starting off on a similar road, and I'm worrying about finding my will power too. I don't have any particular advice I'm afraid! But I thought it would be nice to here you're not the only one having issues!

My thinking is that if there are people expecting you to do better (such as the lovely people here) it will push you to not let them down. My weakness is clothes, so I've joined the £100 Crazy Clothes Challenge. I think the idea of telling all those people I've failed to resist will be enough of a deterrant!

Maybe you can find yourself a cooking-for-one board (or start one!) so that you can get some specific support.

Good Luck!

cooking-for-one board would be a fab idea- i can't be arsed to cook for just myself either so some nights just don't eat which isn't good!

Faye449

I do sympathise, it's blimmin hard to keep on the straight and narrow. Only thing I can suggest is what I do and make sure you have bought all your essentials for the week and when you go out don't take your credit card or any money with you.

When you see these things that you want where are you and what are you doing?

nanna58

:hello:HI dreamer
Its damn hard trying to do right all the time
we all fall by the wayside but its nice while it lasts!!!! You know we still have a life to live to eat clothe ourselves. the thing is just take it easy and try not to go over the top and never feel guilty.Otherwise we are in danger of becoming very low.NOT A GOOD LOOK EH !!!!
xxxx:kisses3:

determined_new_ms

Hi dreamer, sorry that you've had a set back, but see it for what it is "a set back" . I went to a course for work last week and they talked about the cycle of change, having relapses is actually a part of making life long changes. Take some time to work out what triggered the lapse and make some strageties for dealing with these in the future. It takes on average 7 tries to make a meaningful change.

Even thought I've been at it a while its still a learning curve and challenging on a daily basis. At times its a real buzz doing it and seeing results and at other times its really draining. But you get tips and ppl on this site are really inspiring and help you stay motivated. I've joined a daily thread on the debt free wannabee forum nd it really keeps me motivated.
Stick with it, it won't be much longer and you'll be able to afford the things you want, and be able to get them at a great price, meaning more things and savings to boot!

Stick with it

bluebag

Hi,
It's a long, long time since I lived alone but I remember the can't be faffed to cook thing.
You could cook one day for the whole week and freeze it in portions.

A large chilli and spaghetti sauce are easy to put together, buy a cooked chicken with salad and baked potaotes would do two meals without much effort.

A family sized shepherds pie can be spread over two nights. You might even save enough for a slap-up chippy take away.

We sometimes have a quick meal night which is beans on toast with grated cheese on top followed by tinned fruit and ice cream, pretty cheap, nutritious and most of all fast.

It would help to leave the credit cards at home, do a weekly shop ( followed by a bulk sandwich and batch cooking session) and then draw out enough money in cash to last for the week.

I follow this plan for a family and find it works well for me, especially the weekly butty make and freeze plan, it's so easy to just pull the required amount of sandwiches out of the freezer the night before instead of making sandwiches e v e r y....bloomin' ....day.
Hope you find some mojo to keep ya going.
bb

Chasingmytail_2

Hi Dreamer2010

You are doing well. You have made a start. Keep going. Need an incentive. Take a look at me. Took out my first credit card probably about 30 years ago when they first came out and bought a coat, it was quite expensive, but what the heck, I would pay it up at bit at a time. Well here I am 30 years later, total now of 8 cards and still paying for the coat and may have to sell my home.

My words of wisdom to you youngsters. Ditch the cards. They don't bring you happiness. Friends do. And friends are the ones who will encourage you to keep going.

Yes you'll have bad days and you will fail some days but just pick yourself up and start again.

Good luck.

crapwithcash82

Chasingmytail wrote: »

Hi Dreamer2010

You are doing well. You have made a start. Keep going. Need an incentive. Take a look at me. Took out my first credit card probably about 30 years ago when they first came out and bought a coat, it was quite expensive, but what the heck, I would pay it up at bit at a time. Well here I am 30 years later, total now of 8 cards and still paying for the coat and may have to sell my home.

My words of wisdom to you youngsters. Ditch the cards. They don't bring you happiness. Friends do. And friends are the ones who will encourage you to keep going.

Yes you'll have bad days and you will fail some days but just pick yourself up and start again.

Good luck.

Just wanted to say I think those are great words of wisdom "chasingmytail"... the cards certainly don't bring happiness... well maybe for all of five minutes, until you start wondering how you're going to pay for them, they're nothing but misery and the worst thing I ever did was get a credit card!

The best thing (financially) however, for me was finding this site and the wealth of knowledge and support I've received from it. There are definately stories and posts on here to give you an incentive and encouragement to keep going, every time I get fed up of being in debt, I come on here to get inspired again!

bertman

It is really hard to not buy things that you want - but don't really need. We use cash now for everything, even petrol!! We have found that if you have cash rather than a debit or credit card it actually feels (to us) that things cost more, its a strange thing!
We have also used the tips on this site.

Also we have set up a second bank account that has money for food & petrol and nothing else, this is what we live on. Everything else goes towards the debts.

Keep your chin up - being debt free will be worth the short term pain!!!