Don't think I'm going to make it

mountainofdebt

- clearing my target that is.

I feel so down about this - this is not my only debt, far from it - but the physological boost I was getting lowering that present balance figure was unbelieveable. What makes it worse is that this is the 2nd time I will have had to put back the date of clearing it.

As for clearing the debts generally I'm abit down on that one as well......for reasons I don't want to go into here life is a really struggle at the moment and the little fun I was allowing myself seems to have gone by the wayside as well.

I won't want to seem as if I'm wallowing in self pity but as someone else said that light I thought was the end of the tunnel isn't its just a train coming in the opposite direction ready to dump more problems my way.

MinnieSpender

It's a setback. If you're continuing to lower the debt, that's still fantastic. If it was going the other way, you should worry.

Keep on keeping on.

newleaf

Maybe this is a good time to look back then, and see how far you have come? Don't be despondent, we all have sticky patches at some point where it just seems hard to tread water. But it will pass, and you will make progress, maybe just slower than you'd like it to be.

Willsnarf1983

ur clearing ur debt of nicely, so what if its an extra month or two, i somewhat suspect ur still miles ahead of ur original DF date

Will

Keeval

Try to keep your spirits up. Look at the amount of debt that you HAVE cleared.

Sometimes things happen and you have to change your plans. Just go with the flow and adapt to the situation, you have to be flexible. Stick to your guns though and you WILL do this.. just not when you thought you would.

As for fun, if you can, allow yourself the occasional trip out or a break, just don't go overboard with spending - if you take away the fun in life, that will make things even more difficult.

The trick is balancing paying off your debts with spending to live. What I mean is - yes - pay your bills etc. but also put a small bit away for yourself then pay the rest to your debts. Then when your treat fund gets to a certain amount, give yourself a treat. You will feel better for it.

As someone who has been here and finally done it I know what you are feeling. But stay focused and you will beat this.

-Keeval-

Chrismojam

Keeval wrote:

........The trick is balancing paying off your debts with spending to live. What I mean is - yes - pay your bills etc. but also put a small bit away for yourself then pay the rest to your debts. Then when your treat fund gets to a certain amount, give yourself a treat. You will feel better for it....-Keeval-

Keeval's right.........as much as we all want our debts paid off, we have to try and strike a balance (as difficult as that is at times)......I've done it myself.........I tend to get a bit carried away with the thought of paying things off...and bringing DFD closer....but at what cost..........not having any sort of like in the mean time? You only live this life once.........don't waste it stressing too much (says me! I'll take some of my own advice one of these days!:p )

Hugs to you, chin up hon...

luckylukey

Willsnarf1983 wrote:

ur clearing ur debt of nicely, so what if its an extra month or two, i somewhat suspect ur still miles ahead of ur original DF date

Will

I agree! I have to update my signature as I wont be debt free in Sept due to setbacks. But I am determined to try and make it as close to this date as possible. Sometimes things happen that make us feel that we are never going to get to the end of our debts - but perserve - I am sure you will clear it!!

saubryn

Hey, as long as its still going down, thats good isn't it?

Think of this as an extra challenge, and keep focussing on getting that number down to zero

charlie007

you are going in the right direction, don't be soo hard on yourself

x

wannabedebtfree_2

When I look at my debt total, I don't think, wow, I'm nearly a thrid through my highest, I think, jesus how am I ever going to clear this?

I read on here somewhere a tip that someone had put where they split their debts into £100's, so instead of thinking I have £10,000 to pay off, I could think of it as 100 x £100, now £100 is an awful lot, but I am paying out about £400 + per month trying to clear it all, so that number will come down quite quickly.

Focus on how well you've done, and not on how far you have to go, your DFD will come sooner than you think, just don't be too hard on yourself.

xxx

hbl_2

I paid back £500 on my post graduate study loan today, and you're right it's a good feeling. It'll be a couple of months before it really starts to come down though, as the interest becomes less and less.

You said a funny thing though, "physological" - did you mean physiological, or psychological? Because I think it could easily be both. I feel a bit sick if I spend too much money now...

As for fun, here's my suggestion. Do you do any exercise or sport? And I say this because I hope to do it myself. I got myself fitted for some proper running shoes (Easy Runner in Bristol, highly recommended). I had to pay full price for them (about £75) but they're suited to the way I run. Only now, I have only used them a handful of times... BUT! and this links back into what I suggest for you, JUST START RUNNING (or walking).

Feeling down about debts? Go for a run. Debating how best to spend your money? Go for a run. Don't want to join an expensive gym? Go for a run.

My point is, you can do something for yourself which doesn't involve your debt, may prove meditative, and at the very least will make you super fit. And any excuses about time/motivation? Approach it as you did your debt, and you can start measuring your successes in another area!

Alternatively, I find yoga is a real boost to the confidence. Sometimes I'm pretty tired after work and dont want to go, but I always drag myself along and feel so much better for doing so.