Tackling my Debt and Simplifying My Life

cwal

Hi GL

Sounds like your making good progress so far

I had a similar thing with Xmas, everyone was putting money aside each month for a massive night of drinking - I've said I'll go but only for the meal. Makes me sound like a cheap skate but I know I'll feel happier not having wasted money and I'll feel better without the hangover to!

Good luck with the house viewing this weekend and I'll be joining you with the listings on Ebay as its another free weekend :j

[Deleted User]

Glad I have made the decision not to go on works Christmas party. I know I'll still get nagged but the hardest bit of telling everyone is done now.

Ladybird, with regard to lunch at work I think I'll put £5 per week in my purse and only use that- thank you- think I'll be more likely to make these changes permanent then.

Today's been a NSD, hopefully tomorrow will be the same- I'll be too busy cleaning in preparation for the viewing!!!

Bathroom cupboards are next to be sorted and minimalised, all those beauty products I bought to change my life can be chucked!!

Then a little sort ready for e-bay- got less things to sell now but sure I'll find a few things!

GL x

[Deleted User]

Well, no real news with the house viewing, Estate Agent showed them around and said they liked it but no offer as yet.

E-bay going more slowly this week, suppose it just because we have already sold the bigger, more expensive items- but every little helps, up to £18 so far, most things end tonight.

Had to take my mum shopping yesterday, first time I've been in the city centre for a few months- was a bit worried about the temptation but had resolved to stay strong- and I did it!! Well, I did spend £1 on a candle but compared to previously I did it.

Mum wanted to buy new bedding, lamps etc and spent quite alot, usually I'd convince myself I needed new bedding etc, but yesterday I just kept thinking about how miserable spending had made me and how I am enjoying my clean, clutter-free home and want to keep it that way.

We did have lunch out which my mum treated me to, that was lovely.

Usually I would feel very envious of all the glammed-up women carrying around those large posh bags containing purchases from designer shops, and that would make me spend to make myself feel better. Yesterday however, although these women were still there with their Hollister and John Lewis bags I tried not to look at them and think their life was better than mine because they looked fab, bought fab things and went home to amazing homes (in my mind!) to get ready for an exciting, glamorous night out (I am aware I sound barking- I am trying to be honest so you can see where I'm coming from and how warped my mind had become about spending!).

I am ashamed about how I have felt about money and shopping in the past- I hope that I can continue working on making myself feel okay by not spending money- today I feel proud that I didnt spend or yearn to spend- I want to keep feeling like this- its not a short-term aim til I get rid of the debt- its a life choice.

Off to make the Sunday roast now- I can hear DH getting stressed in the kitchen!

GL x

CandyCupcake

Hi Goodlife,

Hope you don't mind that I have *subscribed*. I am loving your whole approach to a minimilistic lifestyle! I try to be as minimilistic as I can, but I just haven't yet found the strength to part with my teddy bears (I'm 22!!)

Good luck on your debt free journey

Candy x

[Deleted User]

Thanks Candy, delighted your joining me- company always appreciated!

I have been on the road to minimalism for several months now- it's great!

It makes it easier to know I'm moving soon so all the decluttering means less to move when the time comes! But it's lovely to open a drawer and only see the things I use or open the wardrobe and see only the clothes I actually wear (not might slim into one day!).

Of course I am enjoying making some money from all those unwise purchases! Keeping an eye on e-bay tonight, it's going well now.

GL x

Fae

Hi GL,

Well done on the Christmas Parties, and on the lunches, it is hard to the one that doesn't go along with the crowd, but one thing to bear in mind, is that I bet some of the others that are going also don't really want to spend that money, and prob wish they could be as strong as you, that may even be where some of the pushing comes from, it's so much easier to justify spending when everyone else is doing it.
The same is probably true of some of those glam ladies with their handbags.

I think there are a lot of people who would like to get rid of their debts and the worry that goes with them, but it can be hard to be the one that doesn't spend, so you really don't sound barking at all.

I think you are doing so well, and I have my fingers crossed for a house sale soon for you

Fae

Ladybird.

I don't think you sound barking at all!

On the subject of looking at other people with expensive accessories and so on... I find the more I get into the DFW mindset the more I look at people with 'all the gear' with a healthy dose of scepticism, (especially, dare I say, when they are friends/family whose incomes I have a rough idea of). Instead of looking at people thinking 'wow, they must have so much money and an amazing financial worry free life' I actually wonder the opposite

I always come away from reading your thread wanting to do more clearing out GL... off to do the housework and then do some rummaging though stuff as god knows there as a LOT to get rid of in this little house! :rotfl:

Scuff

Ladybird. wrote: »

On the subject of looking at other people with expensive accessories and so on... I find the more I get into the DFW mindset the more I look at people with 'all the gear' with a healthy dose of scepticism, (especially, dare I say, when they are friends/family whose incomes I have a rough idea of). Instead of looking at people thinking 'wow, they must have so much money and an amazing financial worry free life' I actually wonder the opposite

This is so so true, I used to look at people and think why can't I be that successful / rich / fancypants?? Now my bf looks at people younger than us (we're 25) in new reg cars and says 'I wish I was as well off as them / could afford a car like that' (I cruise around in a L reg Corsa), and somehow all that comes out of my mouth is 'Finance, no thanks'. Strange how it changes!

[Deleted User]

Thank you so much for your comments Fae, Ladybird and Scuff,

I always worry my ramblings sound so self absorbed and materialistic- I agree with you now- and I really feel so relieved to have made my decision to tackle my debts and live a simpler life- I feel a weight has been lifted and the pressure taken away- only wish I'd been brave enough to step outside the box earlier.

Did have to spend today- some deodorant, body cream (I have eczema) and a birthday card.

DH got paid today and we were able to make a £300 payment to largest CC- thats the amount we had left in our account ( that has NEVER happened before- we used to live off CC for last week of the month).

Thank you again guys for your posts and encouragement.

GL x

Fae

Hi GL.

£300 thats a great payment :T bet it felt so good to make that payment.

And this place is here for all those ramblings if only so that we don't end up talking to ourselves and end up getting strange looks, or is that just me :rotfl:. Being serious now, I think that's one of the great things about MSE it lets us all post how we are feeling, and helps to encourage us to stick to our plans to become Debt free. I'm very glad it's here.

Fae