Debt Free ASAP Pledge - Join Me!!!

tazzy2010_2

Hi please can I join too :wave:

I have just managed to become debt free but want to stay that way and start saving for my new uni course. I love challenging myself it keeps me focused.

My pledges are:

No alcohol Mon-Thurs
Maximun 1 brought lunch/month
Exercise twice a week (hardest one to keep!):(
Resist temptation to buy shiney new car and put myself back in debt
Stick to meal plans each week
Try to use up all food in fridge wherever possible and not throw away
Manage strict 'one in, one out' policy on wardrobe

will try to think of more....

Good luck everyone

System

Hi Tazzy

You've got a few double - purpose healthy things on your list too!
Well done on getting debt free! Any tips for the rest of us?

tazzy2010_2

Hiya

Yeah I am aiming to drop back to the weight I was last summer before the all inclusive/eat as much as you can and look like a hippo holiday lol

As far as advice goes....well I had my lightbulb moment well before I found out about MSE and I have changed alot.

Things that worked for me included
- Cutting up credit cards
- Tackling one debt at a time
- Took on a part time job (to the disappointment of the OH as I work nearly every weekend) but it brings in an extra 500+ per month on top of my full-time wage.
- Used to sprend 80 quid every 6 weeks on my hair - now my cousin does it every 8 weeks for 40
- I meal plan/ dropped one or two brands wherever possible.
- Always bring lunch into work from home now
- Ebay anything thats not stuck down
- When it is my birthday/Christmas and people ask what I want I ask for practical things that I do actually need like a paper shreadder, new bed linen and toiletries that I will actually use rather than decorate the bathroom with
- Got alot of furniture etc from freegle and have freegled on anything that doesn't suit.
- Buy stuff from car boot sales and resell on ebay
- Don't go out as much - when I do for meals - use tesco vouchers, if I go out drinking in town I call taxi of mum to ask for a lift

I have literally changed completely the way I think and feel about money. I used to think it was all important to 'keep up with the Jones's' and have a bulging wardrobe and spend 60 quid on a night out. Now I forget about how much others have and have concentrated on getting debt free. It gets strangley addictive after a while....have seen a few people on here say that. I brought a chocolate bar from the shop yesterday for 60p and felt guilty afterwards

We are also moving house and we are downsizing saving 150/month in rent plus it will hopefully cost less for bills too.

I hope that I have started to make better choices in life and I didn't want to be held down by debt anymore. My grandad's words stick in my head - If it costs 2 bob, and you have one bob in your pocket, you can't afford it:) and that is the motto I have started to live by.

Now I just want to concentrate on saving up for my new course and would rather the money stayed in my pocket rather than Mr Tecos or Miss Selfridges

Hope this helps a bit - don't wanna sound preachy!

Good luck guys xxx

La_escocesa

Thanks Tazzy!

Ashamed - how did you get on with the hairdresser?

I forgot a few things so I'm off to edit my earlier post now...hope that's allowed

System

Yeah thanks Tazzy

That is really inspirational. I don't really have any choice but to do this because of my debts but, now I've joined this very exclusive club you are right, it is becoming addictive! I've started to think about how quickly I can clear my debts, but I won't give up there. I wonder how quickly I can save and get some real security!

Hi Escocesa! Hairdresser was great! Very happy with the cut. Only thing to bw prepared for was it takes a bit longer because they are teaching, but that meant I learnt a few things. Plus it was great fun seeing all the different techniques going on - hair sculpture, creative shaving . . . etc.

And you always feel a bit more motivated with your hair done don't you?

elfen

My pledges are:
Only buy books I need for uni - unless vouchers as presents are given
Only buy DVDs I need for uni - or have already promised to buy (Iron Man 2 and probably Robin Hood)
Save my spare change in my savings
Make my money last
Exercise at least 4 times a week
Stick to the healthy eating
Only have one small bar of chocolate once a week
Don't buy extra bits unless needed (milk and bread mainly)

La_escocesa

Oooh, sounds good Ashamed. I might need to look into that. I definitely know what you mean about it taking ages with trainees - I went to a trainee dentist!! Over 3h in the chair - ace result though!

Hi elfen :wave: Hope you get on well with your pledges xxx

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Think the keep calm about debt is one i must adopt i am doing all i can.x
Good thread and all posts good and relevant thanks.x

System

Thanks all!

Welcome Elfen! I like the way you have made your pledges realistic, i.e. you can top up milk & bread etc!

Dropthedebt - yeah the keep calm one is half the battle isn't it?

elfen

Well, I do eat cereal and Pint has pack lunches so it's a necessary...as is topping up my juice (drink 4 pints or so a day) and fruit....healthy eating....so I'm hoping it keeps me away from the chocolate...Thanks Ashamed and escosesa....i like keeping it realistic as it does help a lot!