A Pleasant Surprise

daviesalie_2

I'm posting this in the hope that it helps someone who can't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

I've struggled with my spending habits for years, especially in the last 2 years since I discovered this site. Its been a constant battle in my head not to buy things I don't really need.

I haven't been on the forum for a while, but came on here tonight feeling very ticked off with myself for today's spending spree in ASDA (£75) and was looking for some motivation to get me back on track. I read a few threads and felt ashamed and disheartened with my recent MSE efforts. I then went on to take a look at my signature and had a pleasant surprise when I found I've cleared £1000 off my debts since the start of the year. I was expecting to break-even!

I plan my money down to the very last penny, but things always seem to crop up with 3 kids, so I have to juggle it around sometimes, which is why I wasn't expecting much change to my debt. I use the sticky notes program on my pc desktop. They take up half the screen, but I know when every direct debit is going to come out, when anything gets paid in, etc, I'd be lost without it, but I do borrow from Peter to pay Paul sometimes! Then every spare penny I have gets paid off my debt. I even send BACS payments for £1 to my credit card - bet they love me!!

However, when I think back to my spending habits 2 years ago, I'm quite proud, in fact, very proud of myself. I'd think nothing of putting a £150 weeks-worth food shop on my credit card or spending £60 in a restaurant on the credit card. I was spending £600 a month on food shopping alone :eek: When I think about the money I've wasted and how hard it is to pay back it makes me feel physically sick!

I've since cut up all my credit cards, except for my Tesco Credit Card, which has a £300 limit. £250 on food (4 people for a month) and £50 a month on petrol, and that card gets paid off in full each month. The only reason I use it is because I get extra clubcard points.

Slight hiccup last summer when I had a moment of madness and borrowed some money from my parents to buy a caravan. The caravan is now up for sale, but it turns out I had it for a very good price and I'll make a profit on it, but that was more by luck than judgement and another frivolous spend! But they say you learn by your mistakes - I certainly have.

I've now decided to liquidise my assets and sold my car this weekend, so I've got another £2000 to pay off my debts and I've bought myself a little Peugeot 106 for £250. It practically runs on air and the insurance and tax is cheap too. I've made a pact with myself that as soon as I'm debt free I will SAVE for a VW Beetle-my debt-free reward!

I can't recommend this forum enough. I'd hate to think where I'd be without this site!!!!!

My one piece of advice would be don't give up! If you stuff up, come here, get motivated and carry on. I've fallen off the wagon so many times in the past and spiralled back to where I started. I think thats part of the course so don't beat yourself up too much!

Get your money organised, account for every penny and you'll do it without realising - I'm proof of that

Good luck!

Hannah_10

I have a pact with myself about what I'm going to save for too, I like keeping it to myself (nothing dubious I promise) and I like daydreaming about it. I find it really helps keep me motivated. It's almost as if I now see gettin out of debt as phase-one of the saving if that makes any sense?

daviesalie_2

Give us a clue lol. I'm intrigued!

SeriouslySeekingtoSave

Well done and very good advice.