Stop being a Wimp!... DMP Journey

Eager_Elephant

Ellieseleven wrote: »

As another year draws to a close I have been thinking about my debt free journey so far and I really do feel positive about the future:o

4 1/2 years ago we were struggling to get by and the majority of our money was paying credit cards and we were so miserable with no end in sight but now:

* we have a little over two years before we will be debt free
* we won't owe anything when we retire.
* we have paid back almost £30,000:eek:
* budgeting is a way of life and a positive thing.
* I no longer worry about our future.
* I have met some wonderful, inspirational people on these forums.

...and for those that know my useless OH, he's finished painting and decorating the hall!

I may have no money but I have many things to be thankful for;)

Take care all

Ellie xx

Such a lovely post to end the year with:T


Glad the hall has been finished!!


Have a good Xmas:xmastree: and New Year

Ellieseleven

Thank you Moneywhizz! It has been hard sometimes but I try to remain positive (most of the time) and count my blessings. When I read the news I realise that we are very fortunate:o

Ellie x

Ellieseleven

Hi EE,

The hall looks fab, it's made such a difference to the house and my mood lol!

I hope that you have a Happy Christmas and New Year :xmastree:

Take care
Ellie x

Puzzcat

Dear Ellie,


Just a little back to you..!! Hope you are all done for Christmas and enjoy your new hall.. Maybe you can put this in it..


....


Have a lovely christmas.


Love Puzz. x

Ellieseleven

We've survived another Christmas without credit cards and managed to stock up with food to get us through the next few weeks.

Off work until the 5th so hope to de-stress and relax.

I've started the Save for Xmas 2015 challenge but have upped the anti to £2 per day so will see how that goes. I wasn't tempted to rifle my tin last time so I hope I can do the same this time. The £500 that I saved was a lifesaver and this challenge is really worth doing (and sticking to).

Checked my SC statement and have reached several milestones this month which is great for my motivation and makes me more determined to get rid of my debt as quickly as I can.

We now have three debts under 1k so 2015 should start to see debts drop off one by one which for me will be a huge achievement:o when I was faced with almost 46k of debt in the beginning I thought that there was no way out but now the way forward is starting to come into view and I can see happier times on the horizon;)

Take care
Ellie xxx

Eager_Elephant

Ellieseleven wrote: »

Checked my SC statement and have reached several milestones this month which is great for my motivation and makes me more determined to get rid of my debt as quickly as I can.

We now have three debts under 1k so 2015 should start to see debts drop off one by one which for me will be a huge achievement:o when I was faced with almost 46k of debt in the beginning I thought that there was no way out but now the way forward is starting to come into view and I can see happier times on the horizon;)

Take care
Ellie xxx

I :heartsmil the bit in bold!!


May 2015 be a very good year for planning your future - I will be here every step of the way.

[Deleted User]

Well done, Ellie:T. I love visiting your thread because you and it are an inspiration to all of us DMPers who find it a slog at times. Thank you.

The debt-free horizon seems so far away sometimes but, like yours, is getting nearer all the time. You'll get there long before I do (I didn't see the light until 2013 and had a bigger debt-mountain to start with:o) and I'll be raising a virtual glass (or three:rotfl:) to you when you do:beer:

Ellieseleven

Thank you so much Carbootcrazy and I'm so pleased that you find my diary an inspiration...pop in anytime for a chat.


Together we can get to the finish line!


Happy New Year to you!


Ellie xx

Ellieseleven

Hello EE,


Thank you for your good wishes!


I hope that you have a Happy New Year and here's to 2015!!!


Onwards and upwards!


Take care
Ellie xx

Ellieseleven

As another year draws to a close and we look forward to 2015, I have been reflecting on 2014 good and bad and thinking of ways to go forward.


2014 has been tough in many ways but there have been good parts as well.


I joined the £1 a day saving for Christmas which was a great success and has helped me enormously.


I have my little grandson who always manages to cheer me up even on the worst days.


My parents are in fairly good health and they are a huge support (although they don't know about my DMP).


I have learnt along this journey that you only need enough money to pay bills and generally live and the most important thing of all is your health. I have said Goodbye to several childhood friends this year which puts everything into perspective.


I lug my OH along with me on my journey and have learnt to bite my lip on many occasions so have learnt another lesson...patience LOL!


I've made a big dent in our debt in 2014 and have paid back almost 30k in total so feel that I've turned a corner and though times are hard, I'm getting there!


So looking towards 2015:


I'm now putting £2 a day away towards next Christmas


Over the years I have cut back on many things and wondered if there was anything left to cut back on, but Yes there is...I've joined another challenge! This time it is cutting back on how many clothes you buy and I have set a budget for £200 for the year (ouch!). I have tons of clothes so I think this is doable.


Also, I am trying out No Spend Days (NSD) and I'm sure that I can do this. I'm not including any money that the Beer/Cig Monster (OH) spends as that defeats the object (I've given up on him anyway).


I have £250 (after all bills are paid) to last me until 26th January so there's a challenge in itself. I could do this with ease but the drain on my purse is causing me some concern. I have suggested roll-ups but that was refused, he would rather smoke the most expensive cigs but I won't be able to fund his habit through January so he will have to find an alternative. Ditto with the beer!


If I can manage through to April my tax code will change for the better and I will have approx. an extra £200 per month. This is the result of under-paid tax in previous years.

By the end of 2015 if all goes to plan (fingers & toes crossed)
then this time next year my bank balance will be much healthier and I can maybe bring my debt-free date closer (said in a whisper).

I'm looking forward to 2015 and I hope that you are too!


Here's to another debt-busting year!


A Happy New Year to you all!


Take care
Ellie xx