How has this board changed your life?

yeslek

i'm not spending on credit anymore

i actually see and end of debt in sight

i still waste money a little i havnt quite mastered that, and i still intend to have fun and do what i did before ie gig's, movies etc but i'm more aware of he cheaper ways to do this and i dont use my credit cards anymore. i if its not in the bank i dont spend it.

bascially i'm more aware of money and its value and i'm still learning all the sneaky tricks of freebie money / points etc

CAFCGirl

Like everyone above.

The board has given me my lightbulb moments 1 and 2!
Given me a great support network and two really fab friends in Peaches and PurplePrincess.

Taught me that my money is exactly that, mine, and why should I be parting with it on a regular basis when all I need to do is think a little more, take a bit more time!

Its taught me the power of the letter and standing my ground ( I DO NOT need PPI!)

Its taught me that I need to keep on top of things, in terms of cashflow before it spirals out of my control, and its taught me that its ok to fall off sometimes. The important thing is that you climb back on, and you climb that little bit higher each and every time!

Its taught me to be honest with myself, and others, and its taught me to take reponsibility...........
And its taught me snowballing,budgetting, and the wonder of a good spreadsheet!

Loads of other stuff too but Im waffling

CAFCGirl

oooooooh and it gave me the strength to cut up the credit card that I do know the pin for

themaccas

I'm not spending on credit either and come and log onto MSE when I'm bored and want to spend - that usually puts a stop to my naughty thoughts!

Seriously though DFW has given me focus to try and clear our debts for the first time ever and the thought of being able to save up serious money for home improvements and a lovely holiday is very motivating. Oh and I love to update my sig - just have and I always get a thrill at seeing my debt figure go down. I'm easily pleased!

lazy&indebt

...Saving! Me Save? I'd never of thought it. My dad almost fell of his chair when I told him I had an ISA and i've hit the £1000 now! Atthe end of September I should have about £1400 and by the end of October I should be able to clear it!

(card is 0% apr BTW and am earning 5% on savings tax free)

Imelda

How has this board changed my life..... well, totally!
I now only have one debt which is on 0% and I have a plan to get out of it, I am saving properly for the first time ever, I am overpaying my mortgage, I make AVCs to my pension and I generally feel so much more in control.
I have become a tight wad, I have spent £45 on clothes since April and have become almost tee total ,I can't bear to part with my hard earned on something that literally gets p*ssed down the drain. I have learnt to cook (thanks to the guys on the OS board) and only buy lunch at work once per week (on average, I still slip up every now and again!). As a result I have lost weight (just 4lbs, but it makes a difference to me) even though I have given up the gym (it was free with work but I didn't realise until starting on here that I was taxed on it so am now saving myself £10/ month or £120/ year). Think that's all for now.........

pms

This site has given me some great tools to use ie. the spending diary which once I finally become debt free I will contiue to use. I will NOT be getting any more credit cards and will save for the things I want.

Reading other peoples experiences also helps put my own debt problems in perspective at times, the advice on the threads is very useful and I like how everyone on here supports each other

black-saturn

This board hasn't really changed me at all because I was basically doing the things it preaches already. I already wrote down everything I spent, kept a tight budget, knew exactly what I was spending on bills and food. I was already cooking everything from scratch more or less and had found the cheapest ways of living. I paid my debt off without anyone ever knowing I had one all off my own back and also paid off my mortgage. I think the only way it has changed my life is that now I can pass all or some of this experience on to others.

Broken_hearted

It joined me to a comunity where we can all support eachother.

MinnieSpender

It's turned me into a po-faced little tight-wad who revels in having a spreadsheet for every occasion. In fact, I sit and read them endlessly when I'm not on here with some of the most delightful and generous people I've ever met.