The start of a debt free life..........

[Deleted User]

Its goin down slowly but surely!

I will keep on at it & one day it will be my turn to be debt free!

D xx x x

Hovel_lady

You're doing great - well done you :T

skaps

I am a bit older than you, am turning 30 this october! I was £12486 in debt when I joined in Jan 2010 and now am down to £6942. I have found joining in challenges a big help at motivating me. As you can see from my long signature.

The NSDs - non spend day challenge https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3391956
and the 100 days challenge [FONT=&quot]https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3395740 [/FONT]are a good place to start .

gargrave50

Keep up the momentum.

The journey will be difficult and challenging, but you will soon realise you get bigger kicks from reducing your debts than you ever did from buying the stuff that got you there in the first place

DorsetGirl_2

You are doing really well :T.

As Skaps said, some of the challenges are brilliant. The Payment a day one has really helped me https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3331028

Good luck and keep up the good work.

[Deleted User]

Thanks guysssssssssssssss

I'm currently on the phone to MBNA I paid them online on 2/8/11 the payment was due 4/8/11 & the have added a £12 charge for paying late - :mad:

I know its only £12 but I paid them on my MBNA Online Account so you would think it would have gone through ok.

D x x x

topcat9

Hi Dolly,

You're being so positive about your money-saving - it's a real inspiration! Hope you got your £12 fee from MBNA waived. For the future, if you pay through the credit card's online system it doesn't mean the payment gets to them any quicker (can vary but I think they usually say allow 3-5 days). If you've got online banking with faster payments it can be quicker to send the money that way. Or even better, set up a direct debit Also, if it would be better for you to have the payment date as a different date in the month some credit card companies will allow you to change it.

Best of luck with all your budgeting!

ms_london

Hi Dolly, welcome to MSE!

As someone who came to this site with £19,000 of debt and who became debt free as a result of the support and encouragement (and a lot of hard work!), I can honestly say that yes, this site does help. It is great to be in the same boat as other people in the same situation, and perhaps when your friends or family don't understand, you can come here and realise you are not alone and the only one struggling with debt!

If you could post a SOA that would be helpful. What are the interest rates on your debt? Is your credit rating good enough to apply for a 0% credit card so that you can do a transfer? When you have worked out what you can comfortably afford each month to throw at your debts, you need to 'snowball' them in terms of the APR! Also, when you have set yourself a budget, withdraw that money in cash each week, do not use cards, even debit cards to me still feel as though I am not spending money, but funnily enough I feel different parting with a note!

I'm almost 31, eeek, and only just in a position to start saving for a house. Yes, wish I had been sensible when I was younger, but I am also glad that I learned a valuable lesson and I didn't run up more debt or not understand the value of money for the rest of my life!

Good luck xx

Bobbins11

Hi Dolly Rocker

I'm in a similar position to you and have been a long time lurker on MSE. I have tended to go with the 'bury you head in the sand' method in the past which is what got where I am

I've recently decided to really tackle my debt and am putting all my extra money towards my debts and dreaming of my debt free day so I can start saving and doing up my house!

I wish you the best of luck; this is a great website with some really helpful ideas and people!

TheTortoise

Hi Dolly Rocker

I'm in almost exactly the same position as you - 26 with around around £10k of debt but making good inroads after having my lightbulb moment. It's amazing how much you can save without affecting your quality of life! I love going round charity shops (probably more than the dull and soul-less highstreet shops) so get my shopping kick from them. Also looking at food bills and being able to cut back without feeling deprived (all it means is that I throw less food away!!)

Keep it up and well done for tackling the debt! Keep the debt free day in mind If you're anything like me you will be feeling excited at the prospect of No More Debt and a future without having to worry about money.

:j