Wake-up Call Challenge

Pollydaydream

DC - What you've written could so be me that I had to look twice at your username to make sure it wasn't me IYSWIM :rotfl:

elantan wrote: »

quick question .. what is the most important to you individually and would sorting that one thing out have a knock on effect on all the others?

elantan - I've been thinking about this and I can honestly say I don't know. A couple of days ago I would have jumped in and said "debt" or "stopping smoking" or "work" or whatever was most on my mind at that particular time. I would then have made some totally unachievable declaration about what I was going to do about it, failed miserably, licked my wounds for a while and come back and started the whole cycle over again.

The luxury of a Bank Holiday weekend has given me time to think a bit more deeply about your question. I thought that being out of debt would be the main thing that would have the biggest knock-on effect. I asked myself what I would do if I could pay all my debts off tomorrow. The first answer was "have a large drink" :rotfl:, but all the things after that were followed by "well, I could do that now".

Being honest with myself (as opposed to living in daydream land), I thought that even if I had all the extra money I'm currently paying out on debts, until I've sorted other things out, I'd probably just spend it all and be no happier. I wouldn't be any more organised, I would still have to, at some point, do all the things I need to do for better health or for better relationships; I might just say "s*d it" and walk out of my job, I'd be less stressed for a while, but then what would I do? I'd almost certainly drink and smoke more because wheyhee, I've got more money! The debts are actually helping me to keep on the straight and narrow :eek:

The outcome is that I've moved paying off debt down to the bottom of my priority list. I know this probably sounds a bit bonkers, but most of my debts have been sold on and aren't attracting interest and even if I cut everything right to the bone (including the smoking) I'm still years away from debt freedom, by which time I think I would truly be bonkers. I know others are in very different situations.

I think what I'm trying to say (in a rather long-winded way) is that I can't wait until I'm debt free to start sorting things out and I have to let go of debt as an excuse not to sort things out.

Okay, that's rather a lot about what I'm not going to do; I'm away to think more about what I am going to do. elantan - I think I need the next instalment in your workshop


Polly


p.s just in case some mystical, karmic, fateful, universe-type thing is listening and you were thinking about providing me with the wherewithall to pay off my debts tomorrow - I'd cope )

honeybear_2

Nottoobadyet wrote: »

To be fair, Im pretty sure hobbits are gluten free

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

The_Dragon

Geebee wrote: »

Hello Dragon... I would like to start this challenge please... mainly to stop WASTING money. The amount i spend on groceries each week would make your hair curl and most of it gets chucked out. I seem to fail miserably at meal planning and shopping lists usualy get left on the kitchen table as i rush out of the house!. :eek:
I am really in need of a very hefty kick up the backside in this department!.

GB

Good to see you Geebee and yep shopping without a list can be a minefield! :D

Different_Corner

Polly
I've never actually thought of it like that. That is a brilliant post !
Easy to say 'well, it's because I'm in debt' to every other aspect of my life that needs improvement.
You have got me thinking. TY.

The_Dragon

Lula-Hula wrote: »

Morning Dragon & all,

I've had a stern word with myself & my plans are :

1 - Lose 20lbs

2 - Clear £4,600 of debt.


By the end of this year; a mere 30 weeks away, simples eh :eek::rotfl:.

It sounds like a good starting point to getting your life in order Lula-Hula so go you! (and only 30 weeks left of 2010 :eek::eek::eek:)

The_Dragon

Polly - that was a wonderful post thank you! I think I ran up my Credit Card because I was stressed over something else (weight and health seem front runners for that!), I spent my money on books, stitching stuff etc - so I can see where the money went (but that isn't that helpful!)

So I think my first priority is to get my weight/health issues under control (I think the two are so closely linked that I need to work on them together), and I am hoping that the other issues will start falling into line (or at least will then be easier to cope with)

true27

What a fantastic post Polly!! I can only really think of one word to say in reply.....DITTO!!

Bring on the homework Elantan !

no_problem

For me money is a big issue and I do agree money doesn't bring happiness, however money is what makes the wheels of the world turn. A catch 22.

Due to our financial pickle it places a strain on my relationship with my OH, my family and friends. I have 2 jobs now which takes a lot of my spare time. The second job started just as experience, but we've now become reliant on the income so I can't just quit the job.

This in turn means that my OH is on her own more than she should be, coupled with working evenings and Saturday nights means that time with family and friends has been restricted.

I beat myself up sometimes that her condition is partially because of me and the second job, but it was there before then it probably just hasn't helped.

I'm going to pause on the deep and meaningful for the moment as it makes me a bit depressed, but I know we'll sort ourselves we just need to get the ball rolling with our money and hopefully everything else will follow.

PS
I needed to lose some weight and have found a brilliant scheme that has only cost me the price of a couple of books and has been so easy to follow. When you read the author's reasons for parts of the diet or lifestyle it actually makes sense. Its called the South Beach Diet (very American) but out of all the diets is the only one to me that makes sense. No deprivation of fat or sugar (except sugar in the first few weeks to control your insulin levels) and the food is wholesome and healthy.

Anyway got to go

LuckyBiscuit

Polly, Fantastic Post, i actually read it twice!!!!

That could be me your talking about, what fasinates me is that i know what the problem is and i would consider myself an intelligent woman (no laughing please) So Why in God's name don't i sort it out, Wow i get so annoyed with myself....
But we also have to be careful that we think when we are slimmer, fitter, sexier:rotfl: that life will be perfect, cause if we think that way we will be disappointed..

Love to all,
Im looking forward to my homework now!!!

Different_Corner

Really enjoying this thread so far. Thanks everyone.
Just shows I'm not the only one wandering about in this maze, because that's what it feels like sometimes.