the maccas Debt Free Diary - 20K to pay in 18 months

themaccas

D&DD wrote:

That would be me :rotfl:
I've turned into the cheapskate of the year I think..What a difference from last year my plastic was melting at this point!!!:eek:
Isn't it a great feeling though??? You've done so well this year here's to giving your debts another hammering in 07 :beer:

SO true D&DD, I look back to last year and things were very different, maxed out on the credit cards and overdraft and I couldn't bear to look at our bank account online, the very thought made me feel sick so I just spent some more money to make me feel better:o

The thing is I know how easy it is too slip back into the bad old ways, we have done this before - got into debt then paid it all off to become debtfree. This was about 15 years ago though and I'd like to think we are older and wiser to not let that happen again. Get into debt again I mean

Anyhow I have been through the accounts with MS money with OH and we have just had a jaw-dropping moment. Adding up all our money in our current and savings accounts comes to far more than we thought, ok some of it is saved for particular things but all the same it is saved and no cc's are involved. I feel quite emotional when I look at how far we have come since January this board has been nothing but amazing and all the inspiration you have all given pushes me on. :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T

themaccas

Hi Beanielou
Yes it is hard when everyone around you in town is carrying bags of pressies and the xmas music is being played. As for the meals out it is a shame to have to say 'no' but there will always be more meals out next year and they won't remember we didn't go this year. I think I've saved around £150 by not going so that is what I am reminding myself of when I feel a bit sorry for myself as well as reminding myself that there are many worse off then we are.

MinnieSpender

Hi themaccas

I've just caught up with your thread - and my jaw is on the floor at your progress! Well done!

New York - I'm green! It's my favourite place in the world. Most of Manhattan is walkable (good job too! You'll need to burn off those New York sized portions!), but get yourself a cheap weekly subway ticket and shuffle around underground (well worth it). Buses are cheap too and a great way to sight-see while sitting comfortably.

Century 21 is like a huge TK Maxx - take a day to go round that one!

Must do trip is the ferry to Ellis Island via the Statue of Liberty. Cheap day out and fascinating (but take a packed lunch because the canteen is overpriced and not very inspiring).

Oh, and if you really want to push the boat out, take a helicopter ride. Worth every dime!

themaccas

Hi MS
We can't wait, we've borrowed all the books on NY the library has and we bought the Lonely Planet guide cos it came with a free map:T We have a very long wish list of things 'to do' and a helicopter trip is on it if the budget stretches that far.

We have bought 7-day New York Passes for all of us - they had an offer a couple of weeks ago so we purchased them and pick them up when we get there. They give us 7 days of free entry to all the museums and statue of liberty, madame tausards etc, free cruise, discounted helicopter trips and other things hopefully they will pay for themselves. I'm sure I'll need to go on both a money diet and food diet when we get back!

We are staying a few blocks away from Century 21 so will get to know it very well! Will need to pace ourselves though with a 3 year old in tow!

MinnieSpender

themaccas wrote:

Will need to pace ourselves though with a 3 year old in tow!

Three-year old? Get yourself down to Little Italy! You'll probably earn free pizza points!

themaccas

Yum Could I pre-order via quidco too?:rotfl:

Can't wait to go though, I've found the travel board here to be an absolute goldmine of knowledge - highly recommend it for anyone going on holiday. Except for one bright spark on there whose sig said
"proud not to be adding to the debt mountain" Not sure if it was a dig at our sigs on here

moozie_2

Ladies your talking of New York makes me want to go there so much! I have never been and it will be the first place we will go to when we can afford it. In the mean time, themaccas make sure you have a lovely time when you go!

You have come such a long way, you really are an inspiration to me. I hope things continue going well for you and I will hold you to that champagne celebration we talked about

PS I saw that signature too and it made me cross to be honest. Maybe I am being sensitive but I didn't like the dig (if it was one) either!

taxi73

Hi the Maccas,
I have just read your thread from beginning to end and what an inspiration you are to the rest of us dfw...what a lot you have paid off...you're story is truly inspirational..paying off over 50% of your debts as well as saving up..I agree with all the other posters about missing this years christmas do@s ...nobody will remember this time next year...glad to see you are having your holiday to NY...I booked and paid for mine before my lightbulb moment...but in true MSE fashion I have cancelled the kennels(£200) and bribed my daughter(£50) to let the dog stay there...also have paid (£26 return for 2 of us for return train tickets to manchester airport)...instead of £150 return taxi fares..I'm proud of that...coming on here really does help...I hope everything continues to go really well for you and thankyou for such an inspirational read

piglet6

Hi themaccas

Just caught up on your progress and wanted to add my congratulations and say what an inspiration you are!

I've never been to New York either, but all this talk about it really makes me want to go. I think I will have to start saving for the future...!!

Piglet

themaccas

moozie wrote:

PS I saw that signature too and it made me cross to be honest. Maybe I am being sensitive but I didn't like the dig (if it was one) either!

Hi Moozie, if it was a dig well, that's nice for them but we are all trying to clear our debts and sarcastic sigs like that I find quite offensive though I'm not going to retaliate or comment further. They are not worth it.

Lets just be proud of our achievements on here - all of us.:T :T :T :T :T :T