Got to stop faffing around

FrugalJo

ukpam2000 wrote: »

I think one great motivator is coming here every day and reading up on how people are doing and picking up loads of tips and ideas - that's what's keeping me on the straight and narrow!
Pam

You know Pam, you are right. And that's my problem staying focussed.
Daily visit should help.

FrugalJo

So a month ago I jumped backed on the DFW bandwagon, full of motiviation, pack in the ciggies, focus on clearing this debt.

Seems I'm taking baby steps, more than doubled minimum payment on my marbles card, would have been more but car tax due. Made a big whole in my next card thanks to piggy savings. Sold 4 books on Amazon, went straight to Marbles balance.

On the downside I keep falling for the nicotine fix, on and off. Things are going to be tight this next month cos MOT due, and hubby is recovering from surgery, (nothing life threatening and all is well !) so he is off work for at least 6 weeks. Last two weeks have been up and down with long drives to hospital, double petrol costs, unable to stick to routines for shopping etc.
I haven't fallen down yet, just see it going that way unless I keep my eye on it.

Holding on to that feeling of when I cleared my O/D last year.

The inspirational posts on here are also what keep me going. This really is a way of life and the sooner I adapt and change my thinking the better.

Thanks for listening

hypno06

Baby steps are good, so keep them going and don't worry so much about the bigger things at the mo.

There are a number of us around who feel as though we have ground to a halt recently, but with the support of these boards, we will get through!

If you know that the next 6 weeks are going to be tough if OH is not working, why not join me and Elanten in our "trying to survive May" challenges - nothing formal just both in need of support as we have recognised that May is going to be even tougher than usual for various reasons!

You are doing really well, stay in control and keep on with the baby steps x

FrugalJo

Hypno
Thanks for that, I've spent the last 25 minutes reading your diary, love your attitude Subscribed to it because you make so much sense. Will finish it after school run.
I think the little things make the big things happen and as long as I can see the rocky stuff ahead, try to prepare I'll be okay.
I do need a challenge because it will be another baby step, no birthdays in May, just the MOT to plan for, all bills paid, still in credit, so I could in effect make a decent hole in something. Off to investigate....

lynzpower

when I gave up smoking ( until i started again! :wall:) I worked out what Id smoke per day and pay the card off with that- every single time.

So i was smoking at one point when I was off work almost 20 a day :eek: so each morning Id pay off a fiver from the debt- credit cards, so I used ot ring up and pay 5.37 or whatever off my debt almost daily.

this was a cracking feeling!

Also on the cahoot tip, maybe consider reducing your credit limit everytime you make a payment. My oh had one of these adn they are awful, cahoot are a law unto themselves. constantly putting up the rates whenever they choose

FrugalJo

Lynz
I like that idea, a fiver a day would make my minimum payment on my marbles a month. So everything else would make some headway.
As for cahoot that's my lowest interest rate at the moment at 14.9%.
Really want to loose my marbles ! :rotfl: Think it's at 21 something, no chance of BT ing for while.

Snaggles

Great idea to use the cig money to make your credit card payments - what a way to motivate yourself to become debt free AND give up the dirty smelly sticks as my DS calls them lol.

Have you tried IA's suggestion of going to the doctors to see if they can give you help and support? My brother in law went on some kind of giving up smoking programme through his local surgery, and it was great, he's stopped completely (I don't think he's had one since about Xmas).

FrugalJo

Hi Snaggles
Appreciate the doctor tip but I am determind to do this unaided as it is just psycological (sp?) for me. Carr makes so much sense. Had about 8 smoke free days this last month, not consecutive though.
I 'm becoming a 'I want to stop smoking bore' ! Posted so much on the Giving Up thread that I don't sound serious about it. Lynz suggestion hits a spot with me.
If I have cold hard cash then it goes.

JET34

My Boss gave up after reading Allen Carr's book as did a friends wife..... I hope it helps you And I have to say top tip Lynzpower!!!!

Storm

OK, it's disgusting, but a friend's mum gave me this tip for quitting smoking.

Ingredients/Utensils

1 Jam Jar, with lid
1 full ashtray
1 tap with water in it

Put the contents of the ashtray into the jam jar & cover with water from the tap - put the lid on! Whenever you get a craving for a cigarette have a good sniff of the contents of the jar & say to yourself "do I want to smell like that?"

Pretty disgusting I know, but it worked for her!