Tackling my Debt and Simplifying My Life

dd1981

Hi

Just found your diary and am subscribing! Totally identify with your desire to de clutter and live a simpler life without 'keeping up' That is, without doubt where all of mine and DH's debt has come from and I'm desperate to clear it. Reading your diary has inspired me to really look at everything we have and get rid of what we don't need. Thank you Looking forward to reading how you are getting on

Dd
x

anita55

Hi, love reading your diary, would love to write one but would fade fast I think, maybe later. Will try and subscribe, and keep watching. Have looked at sites and bought books (?) about decluttering, simplyfying life (dummies guide to a simple life) how dumb was I, it only cluttered and added to my credit card bill, I might learn one day. Anyway, sounds like your doing great at the moment, in fact don;t worry too much about Xmas, in my experience, the children are so excited about it all they usually forget what they have had by boxing day. Enjoy your family time together, that's most important.

[Deleted User]

Thank you clearmydebts, dd1981 and anita55,
Its so kind of you to post, not sure if my ramblings get very boring but I do feel passionate about simplifying my life so that I can spend my time and energy on the things that really count- my family and homelife.

anita, your comments make sense, I am sure DS will have forgot what pressies he has very quickly, he just loves the sense of occasion and spending time with our extended family, I am putting too much pressure on myself- DH and I can give him a fab Christmas without spending lots! Thank you.

I am sorry again for keeping on about Christmas- I have realized what an emphasis I put on it- hence the previous mega high cc bills around this time- well no more! I have now made a list for DS pressies- I have the money for them and am determined not to be seduced into buying anything else- I know he will be pleased with his presents- thats the main.

DH and I are not buying pressies for each other this year- the time we spend together over the holidays is more important. I really am looking forward to a Christmas where I wont have a sickening feeling every time I think of how much I've spent.

On a minimalising note, some more things have now been listed on eBay- hair straighteners, sewing machine and a chest of drawers. Fingers crossed, more clearance and a bit of money to over-pay the debt.

Hope to do the car-boot sale that was cancelled a couple of weeks ago next weekend- lots of toys and stuff for Christmas to sell so fingers crossed that'll be more towards the debt.

Still no phone-calls from the estate agent- know I have to reside myself to house not selling til the new-year- just cant wait to cut this mortgage down a bit.

Hope everyone is well.
GLx

brizzledfw

Fingers crossed for estate agents ( and quality would be purchasers!) beating a path to your door soon

anita55

How do you manage to do boot sales in this cold weather, shows your strength, good luck with them. I'm sure the right person will come to buy your house at the right time, great believer in fate. I'm definatly going to start cluttering when i get a day off, thanks your a great inspiration, didn't have much luck with e bay always ended up paying more than i made so gave up on that one, so will be handing my clutter to the charity shop (if they want it that is).

Fae

Don't think I could cope with a boot sale in this weather either, I really admire you for getting out there and doing it, fingers crossed for a really great result.

Fae

[Deleted User]

I will wrap up warm, take flasks of tea and plenty of choccie! I am hoping toys and games will sell well. Also have lots of Christmas decs to sell as I minimalised those when I sorted and de-cluttered the loft.

Hope everyone is well. I'll post again later when I get home.
GLx

Ladybird.

Hope your ebay items do well, about time I had a rummage and another listing session.

The housing market here is very very slow at the moment...

[Deleted User]

Sorry I didn't manage to post again yest- few things went pear-shaped. Firstly I had a major meltdown because my boots broke!! Know I sound mad but it felt like all my hard work of trying to minimslise and cut spending was a waste of time. A couple of months ago I decided in order to cut costs and simplify things I would introduce my own 'uniform' for work- two pairs of dark trousers, four jumpers (winter) or blouses (summer) and pair of boots. It's all been going really well, no need to think or co-ordinate what to wear each morning and the cheapest way to do it. However I was gutted to discover the boots I bought a month ago were falling g apart- I tried to take them back but had hassle in the shop- the manager eventually refuded my money.

I also realised the downside to minimalism, I had no other suitable shoes to wear to work today!! Crisis over ,I now have a pair of lovely boots that I joe will stand the test of time.

I am exhausted to tonigh so will say nite nite.
GLx

Zanandu

GL! Have just read through your diary from start to present and I am hooked! I have also subscribed. What you are doing is amazing and I have to say I am really going to get ebay sorted out now as you have really given me inspiration. I tend to as a rule advertise either on Freecycle or just take things down the charity shop as I thought it was too much hassle but you have given me a lot of thought about ebay. Thank you.

A couple of things I wanted to say, firstly with packaging for your ebay parcels, I regulary see people getting rid of piles of jiffy bags, and wrapping on Freecycle- it will save you buying it.

Regarding the chocolates- its christmas you deserve a treat and those chocolates are part of that!

As for your DS, spending christmas as a family is more important that buying stuff.

I am fortunate in the fact I don't have any debt but i have a very tight financial lead. Because my husband became ill, he is no long able to work, and I dropped my hours from full time to 30 a week in the summer, despite having DLA and ESA, money is tight.

Thank you for helping me and look forward to reading your diary.