Lightbulb Moment

coxj2901

Hi Sea,

This is probably going to sound a little daft but having a "treat" makes the rest of what we are doing seem achievable and gives me confidence that I can keep it up.

The treat might be an overpriced pizza, a chinese, a day in blackpool with the kids or a meal for me and my wife. Either way it makes us feel like we're not saving every penny 100% of the time. I know it's not totally MSE but it helps us and gives me confidence that we can see this through to the end

My wife has been really supportive and she is now doing the online surveys each day, selling items on ebay and has applied for a couple of part time jobs.

I do pigsback and have 970 points at the moment. The plan is to not take them out until Xmas to help with pressies.

Rgds, John

coxj2901

Seems to have all gone to pot this week. Spent an absolute fortune that I simply cannot afford

I have a black tie dinner on Thursday which is going to dent the finances even more.

Back to the drawing board I think

W/E 18th Mar-07
Details Amt
Indoor Football £9.00
Pizza £16.50
Alchohol £9.49
Petrol £59.00
Meal and Drinks £120.00 :eek:
Shopping £99.45 :eek:

Total £310.44

piglet6

Hi John

I've only just found this thread through the link in your signature (not sure how I missed it before - sorry!) and wanted to add my congratulations - I think you and your wife have done wonderfully in such a short time!! :T

If I may suggest one thing, I would collect your Pigsback points as and when you are able, because there is no guarantee that a £10 voucher = 1000 points (they used to cost 1150 points, and I presume that Pigsback might put the price up again at any time...). We also collect vouchers for Christmas through Pigsback, and just put them away in a cupboard so that we are not tempted to spend them in advance. We did this last year, and the difference it made at Christmas was fantastic - it felt like we were really getting "free" shopping from John Lewis! :j

I certainly look forward to following your story from here onwards, and wish you and Mrs John lots of luck in clearing the last bit of your debt - with the determination you've shown so far, I'm sure you will have no problems achieving your goal.

Piglet

coxj2901

Thanks Piglet.

I'll make sure I send off for my voucher! I've got 1050 points now so I can get a £10 one. It's payday tomorrow so I should be able to reduce my overdraft.

It feels like it's going to take forever. I'm finding it very hard to stay motivated at the moment

Rgds, John

coxj2901

Payday today :beer:

I've just phoned up the bank and reduced my overdraft by £500 :j

I also sent off for a £10 voucher from pigsback.

Rgds, John

coxj2901

I've just rang up the bank and reduced my overdraft by a further £200. It will leave me short for the month but I think it's doable

I have just been accepted for a Barclaycard through pigsback (1500 points :beer: ) And I think the offer is 9 months 0% balance transfer or 0% on purchases for first 6 months.

I don't have any other credit cards so do I start paying for shopping etc.. on my credit card to enable me to clear more of the overdraft It would make sense financially (Strictly speaking) but puts a whole lot of temptation back in front of us

Rgds, John

piglet6

Well done, John (I've been off the site for the last week or so - pressure of work!) but I'm very impressed with your progess...well done for pushing to reduce that overdraft! :T

I understand the worry about putting temptation back in your way with the credit card (and don't feel bad if it grabs you a little bit - it did with us at first, and its very difficult to resist the "free" money that is offered ). The important thing to remember is that you ARE in control, you DO know the right thing to do, you KNOW why you are wanting to turn things around, and you HAVE the strength to see it through to the end.:D

We are still struggling with using the credit card for "everyday" purchases. However, if it helps, we use internet banking and transfer whatever we spend into a "holding" savings account and then clear it every month. Yes, its not easy, and it takes real strength, but it is do-able, and you will feel better for doing it (well, it makes me feel better about myself when we do it). The knowledge that it is making my credit rating a little bit better every time we pay it off in full makes me smile a little bit more... :rolleyes:

Good luck!

Piglet

coxj2901

Cheers Piglet,

I'm sitting here listening to some classic old style Oasis style songs on youtube with a belly full of carling :beer:

Even now (A Drunk man speaks the truth doesn't he ) I want this debt gone so i'm going to stay focused and keep on going through thick and thin. Happy days when all the debt is gone :T

Rock N Roll Everyone :rotfl:

Rgds, John

FrugalJo

John
Just read the whole thread this morning, been meaning too all week since you kicked the nicotine on Monday.
Just want to say well done on your acheivement. Your determination and attitude the the situation is amazing. Wish I had half of your grit and self discipline.

coxj2901

Thanks Jo, How's the no smoking going?

Here is my spending diary for last week. We listed another 6 items on ebay last night and some already have bids on so I'm hopefuly that we may be able to chip a bit more away from the overdraft this month :j

W/E 1st Apr-07
Details Amt

Indoor Football £6.00
Pizza's £28.50
Shopping (Asda) £53.00
Groceries £2.70
Magazine £1.80
Haircut £7.00
Parking £2.00
Moulded Football Boots £24.99
Indoor Football £12.99
Trainers (Daughter) £11.99

Total £150.97

Rgds, John