Newbie enthusiasm

inthegreen

Since becoming a DFW I seem to have loads of enthusiasm to clear my debt. It was Hubby's b'day yesterday and I spent £13.50 on a couple of tops for him. The wrapping paper is plain silver so can be used for christmas and other birthdays. I cooked a meal in last night, was going to do a lobster tail recipe until I found out they are 9.99 each so bought us a steak each, total meal including pudding £8.54:D

I have made £175 on e-bay so far

I am going to list all my books for sale as I have loads (always re-read them)

I am going to join the libarary

I am going to open up a bank account (cash only) and claim back my bank charges from HSBC.

I have already done a couple of market research focus groups so applying for all that I can

Already take lunch to work but now buying Sainsburys own brand soup rather than Heinz (25p a can cheaper)

Already park 15 mins away from office for free rather than pay £3 a day

Applied for a barclaycard with a lifetime balance fixed rate.

Any other tips

Admitted to my mum the full extent of my debt and although she is disappointed she hates liers more than anything so feel I can sleep at night

Asked if I can be paid some of my annual leave instead of taking it

Write down everything I spend

There are still a few challenges, DH has his own debt which he isn't keen to talk about, last few days have been stressful as he is dissapointed I am in debt!!!! Those in glass houses etc I also have been very open about what I owe but he seems to have a selective memory.

I am not yet ready to post a SOA but am working up to it!

I also got work to sponsor a work related exam so less time to go out, more opportunity in the future if I pass.

Does clearing debt make your spelling any better?:p

A third of my annual salary is made up by my annual bonus so am working especially hard to try and exceed it as that will clear a large sum at once.

Any other tips gratefully received, I try and read as many threads as possible but its almost impossible to keep up.

TallGirl

:j Well done keep up the good work you are doing amazingly. Best thing about your post for me is that you have managed to talk to your OH and your mum about the debts that is so nice to see. My tip would be use MSE as much as you can and don't forget your sign up for Quidco and Pigsback (free money or vouchers) you can use for treats.

MascaraMinx

Well Done! Im still picking up the tips myself, but just having yuor lightbulb moment just makes you feel like you have regained a little control of your life back now doesn't it? Great feeling, it's why I love MSE

chevalier

And also look at https://www.freecycle.org. You can get things for free on there, instead of buying them.

Bambywamby

Try Amazon to list your books - I find they sell faster & for a better price than Ebay. Particularly text books & self help books.

Novels are a tuch slower at moving.

Bams xx

LewisC_2

inthegreen,

From reading your post, you're doing fantastically. You've had the real lightbulb moment and cut down 100%. It's rather frustrating reading stories on here of people who claim to want to get rid of their debts once and for all, yet refuse to get rid of their unnecessary luxuries.

One thing that I tend to harp on about is savings. If you're in debt and have any money at all in savings, you're doing it wrong. Savings earn you less than 5% interest, but debt often costs over 20-30%, so saving money is actually costing you more! If you've got any savings to throw at the debt, do so.

Well done for coming clean to your family about the extent of your problems and best of luck for getting debt free

DontDoDebtKids

Well done and

keep going

!

bobbadog

DontDoDebtKids wrote:

Well done and

keep going

!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming

Best of luck for the future, keep on goin'! x

inthegreen

Think it may be having an effect with Hubby he is now looking for a better paid job so he can pay off his debts:eek:

I sense a competition coming on:T

Signed up to Quidco and Pigsback today.

Also added to the list is to find better deals on utilities and insurance.

Anyone on Oil heating? We have no gas in the village so no option, any tips on the best deals appreciated.

Also some of the debt has been caused by having to take clients out (used to pay on cc) and then claim back at end of month. Work are at least managing to pay monthly but some months especially on Social events for clients the bill can be huge. I then have to wait until the 7th of the following month to get the money back. Any tips for coping with client expenses?

jobbingmusician

Re expenses - can you ask your employer for a float so that you aren't giving them an interest free loan all the time?