Debt destroys peoples lives...(but only if you let it!)

Wordsmith

kramark46 wrote: »

Can't believe I got myself into this mess

That's what we all say! Sorry about your relationship ending because of it.

kramark46 wrote: »

all my friends and colleagues all seem to manage their finances so well.

Ah, but are they?

kramark46 wrote: »

In February 2011 I was given an allotment (been on the waiting list for years). ... this opportunity really came at the right time. I love the fresh air and digging away. It is so much fun (and much cheaper) growing your own veg....

A new hobby, new friends, a healthier lifestyle ... now, would you have done this if you hadn't been in debt? It's a tough price to pay, but debt can open up new and often better opportunites for us. And when you're no longer in debt, you will still have these new things in your life.

kramark46 wrote: »

I will be debt free in 2 years and 3 months =
119 weeks=
835 days=
20040 hours=
1,202,400 minutes=
72,144,000 seconds...(give or take)

so not too long to go then before I wake up and don't owe anyone any money :-)

And it really isn't that long, you know. It will fly by. And how much better off you will be then, in lots of ways. Something really to look forward to. And enjoy the journey (for it is possible to enjoy). Good luck!

PS I like the positive title to your diary.

gettingbackontrack

Good luck with the debt busting - Dec 2013 isn't really that long and if you've paid off 12% already, that's a great start.

I, too, look at people buying new cars and going on expensive holidays and wish it could be me. One day it will be, though I think after four years of debtbusting my expectations have changed somewhat. If someone had said a few years ago that reading that someone had an allotment would make me think "I wish that was me", I wouldn't have believed them!

kramark46

Hi again, I spent most of yesterday on the allotment and feel so positive about what we are trying to do- although a few disasters this year we've decided that we will be able to grow all our veg and fruit needs (except bananas!) for next year- this will undoubtedly save money and reduce my food bill.

On another note I've recently joined a 'hen collective' (yeah I know it sounds a bit daft!). several 'households' look after 21 hens who are producing about 80-100 eggs a week. I'm on a 'hen rota' twice a week so I get the girls up on Monday morning, feed and water them and let them out in the run (they have their own allotment garden which we've converted to 3 separate runs we alternate every few weeks). In the evening I collect the eggs, give them some grain/greens and put them to bed (well- close the pop hole after they go in to their coop!). It's really fun, I don't have to buy eggs and have a sense of it being more natural (please don't ever buy battery eggs- I know they are cheap but we rescue them and they are miserable for the first month- no feathers, stressed and don't know how to perch...which they never get the hang of actually- we have some hybrid birds who do perch but the rescue ones just huddle in a corner at night!!)

So, starting to feel better about myself and my debts (in the end it's only money which we should and can control)

Mike

Wordsmith

Morning, Mike. I love the sound of a hen collective - what a brilliant idea! And hens are so relaxing to watch. It needs a proper name, though ... hmmm :think:

madein1967

Hi Mike - I see you're doing really well diary-wise and keeping positive.

Sending good vibes from South Yorks !

chevalier

I too love the idea of a hen collective. That is ace and the first time I heard of such a thing too. Well done on the allotment thing, and it will be easier next year, cos all the back breaking clearing will have been done.

Sorry to hear that finances caused you to split with your OH. That must have been very tough to deal with, I hope the rest of your debt journey is smoother
chev

kramark46

Hi all, thanks for your positive comments.

Recently started a new relationship and have been totally honest with her about my debt problem. I was actually quite stressed by telling her as I thought she would judge me. I couldn't have been more wrong. Huge support and encouragement. As long as I take her on a wild holiday after my DFD she will be 100% behind me!! (she didn't say that mind!).

Sometimes, I can imagine that one day I will not be in debt.....

Mike

kramark46

Managed to change electricity suppliers with a reduction of £22 per month- however, I'm not convinced that this will be constant as they all seem to be putting up their prices!

Decided that the car is for essential journeys only. I've sorted out my cycle and started using it to go to the shops and allotment. Taking the kids to centerparcs next week so we will all be cycling every day- and hopefully swimming and walking.......

Mike

Different_Corner

Hi Mike
Love the allotment efforts and the hen collective. We were talking about chicken keeping last night, I would love to do that, but fear my lurcher would scare them too much, so a hen collective sounds brilliant.

What really makes me laugh is my change in wants. If 10 years ago you had suggested an allotment or keeping chickens I would have said 'actually I am the right side of 50' but now I would love to get into that lifestyle. Well there's time yet....

Jules28

Hi Mike,

You're sounding really positive so that's great. And I love the idea of an allotment and the hen collective. In my last house I had a garden and grew loads of herbs and some rhubarb. I really think homegrown food tastes better, I think it is the sheer satisfaction of producing it yourself that does it!

Jules x