How do you remain happy whilst trying to pay off debts?

cassidy0111

I think setting a modest entertainment budget is important. Also there are plenty of free pleasures in life (days out, museums, walks etc).
I also enjoy getting the most out of my spends by shopping around, cash back etc
I know some people like to enter competitions or seek out vouchers.

DancerSupreme

dreamdreamer wrote: »

Wow gembaxter, that's quite the signature. Talk about plowing through your debts!

Thank you

I couldn't have done it if it were not for my husband getting a couple of bonuses from the army. Lots of F&F settlement figures too :j

Lisa1978

I used to get my kicks from buying a new pair or shoes/dresses, whatever i fancied, i stuck it on the CC without a 2nd thought. Now 5months into paying off my debt i'm getting my kicks from watching my CC balance going down :), great feeling . We still go out one Saturday night a month with friends for meal, drinks and onto a club and eat out once a week. Cutting down and paying debt = happy :)

kdenty

I'm now starting to control my money/debt and not let it control me. I was really worried and felt very alone at first but this forum has helped me get over that immensley.

I have a budget that I can stick to and allow a little for treats. A treat then becomes something special that I can't take for granted.

Also I know my family and friends love me no matter what. They don't care what I have/done have. They just care about me.

gldubli

Start a part time job

MrsTinks

Being able to pay cash for things from your savings is a great feeling, but the important thing is that you don't stop yourself having any fun at all because that's when you'll end up fighting against it and fall of the waggon We use tesco clubcard vouchers to buy special treats, like hubby had a couple of go-kart sessions, I've had pizza express vouchers and we have a bunch more to come.
I also find looking at the debt in % like some others helps me... ie it feels great to not only see £x off the total but also 20% of debt repaid... well maybe that's just me

mandz1

what everyone has wrote is spot on, watching the debt go down after payments have gone out is amazing. I think about what i will do to treat myself and my kids when i am finally debt free.
Also having friends and family that you can go to that help put a smile on your face when you are feeling a bit down. my best mate has kept me happy and whenever i feel myself getting down about my situation i always think of him making one of his stupid jokes or faces and that also brings a smile to my face.

Whatliesbeneth

i think it is quite easy to get very down about your debts if you dwell on them too much. I have a habit of doing that and find myself very sad sometimes about what i could be doing if i wasn't in debt and how long it has affected my life and it makes me angry that i was that trusting in my then partner that i took all the debt on for both of us and then she walked away leaving me with it all.

I'm now about 3 months away from being debt free after 5 years of repaying, budgeting, worrying and im so looking forward to the future of being able to hopefully move house and take my family on a holiday ( paid for upfront of course!!)

I have learnt a lot through this process though i will never go back to being in debt, it has changed my priorities and how i think about money and what the value of things really are.

What keeps me going is seeing my sons smile every morning when i get him up, doing simple things like going for walks or going to the beach and saving up for a birthday present for someone for them to know how hard I worked for it.

Keep going it doesnt last forever!!

:-)

los72

picklednut wrote: »

and are meeting all payments etc

I'd be happy with that, knowing that you are in control, and all the payments are being met

How do you remain happy / worry free whilst paying off debts?

I take the view, life is way too short, and there is always someone, somewhere, a lot worse off than what you are.

I recently paid off one of my debts. It wasn't a huge debt, but it felt good once that letter arrived to say that the debt had been paid and no further action would be taken...:)

rdchick

I think it's important to think about what would happen if you didn't keep up with repayments, that's how I get through the tough times, knowing that if I didn't pay the X amount a month there will soon be court papers and bailiffs at the door... Something I would never want to happen!

Definitely do ALL you can to get rid of the debt quick, including second job, selling everything on ebay and keeping to your snowball calculator all mean you can live the dream of being debt free xxx