So, finally. It's done.

Mister_aaa

Jammie_Dodger wrote: »

What!!! Why are you still here? Go for it. How nice to have a laid back life for a change, beach, sea, sun......
Well done you for forking your way to freedom.:D

Yep, it is very tempting, but as much as we mock England, i reckon i'd miss it. Think saving up an emergency fund is next on the agenda, then i can think about what to do next.

jonjamie1970

Congratulations, I too will be in the same position as you before the end of 2011 and I cant wait. I however live in a house owned outright by my partner and so can never be 100% sure, however I will use my spare cash to save an emergency fund. I do have car finance but I am paid an allowance at work to do this and have to stick to certain guidlines but maybe I can make overpayments on that also so I can walk away If I have to.

Well done and thanks for posting your story.

nzseries1

Mister_aaa wrote: »

The thought of leaving my line of business and moving to something more helpful to society keeps tapping me on the shoulder.

Does anyone else feel like this? I'm increasingly unable to see my job as valuable, when it's a for profit company.

Ohhhhhh yes (in a Churchill voice).

My debt-free day was back in 2009, but it still feels good to have savings!

I don't have a house yet - I've rented for nearly 12 years, but after being in a high-stress job for the last 5 years, I can more than understand why people sell all their possessions and go and live in the jungle!

Last year I took a 3 month break from work (it was nice to have the money to be able to do that) and I spent most of it in South America. Boy has that changed my whole attitude to life.

I'd love to actually own my own place so that I could move to a job that benefits society more. I'm hoping that will happen one day.

dreamdreamer

Well, its started. I've decided to start looking for another job, as the one i do now is of no benefit to society whatsoever. This bothered me in the past, but now i don't 'have' to do it for the money, i ask myself "why am i doing it?"

Do it! I was made redundant in 2005, and wound up working in the public sector - it makes so much difference being able to go home at the end of the day and think "I helped someone today".

Personally I'd be on the first plane to Thailand though!

YORKSHIRELASS

Thank you, this was just the kind of story that I needed to read. I am having a bit of a down moment about my finances right now. We have chipped quite a bit off the debts but because of personal circumstances I have been forced to take some time off work so its back to minimum payments for a while. We are also having to be extra careful this month because OH had an extended break over Christmas due to the bad weather.

Its hard sometimes when every single penny has to be accounted for. I have made huge progress with the help of this website but there is still a part of me that wants to spend money I dont have.

Sorry to hijack your thread with negative thoughts - well done you - you give me hope!

golfiematt

a huge congratulations. The main thing is the freedom to do what you want to. I cant wait for that day where i can say exactly what i want without the fear of any consequences!!!

Mister_aaa

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Thank you, this was just the kind of story that I needed to read. I am having a bit of a down moment about my finances right now. We have chipped quite a bit off the debts but because of personal circumstances I have been forced to take some time off work so its back to minimum payments for a while. We are also having to be extra careful this month because OH had an extended break over Christmas due to the bad weather.

Its hard sometimes when every single penny has to be accounted for. I have made huge progress with the help of this website but there is still a part of me that wants to spend money I dont have.

Sorry to hijack your thread with negative thoughts - well done you - you give me hope!

It's hard knowing that every penny is counted, think more about what you have done, than what you can't do right now.

If you hadn't had a lightbulb moment, what would things look like right now?

Keep on chipping away. I know it's difficult, but i also know that it can be done

A