Single DFW

Muhren

Have just been reading through is thread as a single guy, I had to get my hard hat on before I replied seeing as us men seem to be getting a bit of kick in on here.

My debt is very much all mine and all my own fault (gambling) but I am getting it under control after my LBM back in August when I really didn't know what I was going to do next. I am now on the right track (I think) but it is going to take me a long time to repair the damage that I manged to cause in just 5 months.

Guess I could do with a little suport when at times my DFD seems so far away. Oh and I'm 29 by the way!

Kayleighpea

Ooh a 29 year old single man...where are you from? :rotfl:

falldown7timesgetup8

Its not the men that get themselves in debt we object to Muhren - its the ones that have put US in debt -:mad: We would feel the same if it were the other way round - So please feel very welcome (....and surrounded by lovely ladies it seems!)

You are welcome to join our SAD challenge if you like?
Congratulations on getting the gambling in control - keep it up, and post here when things go good OR bad, and we will do our best to support you :T

Finally, if you feel comfy doing it, id recommend putting the debts in your signature, and start updating them when you reduce the debt - its very motivational!!

x

falldown7timesgetup8

Kayleighpea wrote: »

Ooh a 29 year old single man...where are you from? :rotfl:

I was SOOOO tempted to ask the same! :rotfl:

Muhren

I have been thinking about putting my debts in my sig maybe I will soon! YeahI will join if you will take me?!

I live in Wiltshire but don't hold it against me!

falldown7timesgetup8

Consider yourself joined! :j
Maybe as a start put the one debt you want to do before Christmas in your signature? (Just a suggestion, just do what you feel comfy with, theres no pressure here).

I was a little reticent at first - but im SO glad i did it now - i LOVE seeing the nunber come down - and when i updated CC#1 as "paid off" last month - I was ecstatic!!:T:T:T:T:T:T

ps - thanks Loopylou for starting this thread in the first place - Its so lovely not being surrounded by smug marrieds, and knowing we are all in the same boat xx

BlushingRose

This is a great thread but as an engaged person, I don't qualify to post, so instead I might just stalk

Muhren

Falldown I see from your sig you are clearing your debt at an incredible rate. Any tips you care to pass on?

falldown7timesgetup8

I actually posted the following on another thread when someone asked me the same question, so I hope no one minds a copy and paste? I think the fact that im tackling one debt at a time really helps me too?

1) DUMPED THE EX - he was the one spending all the money, so the moment he walked out the door - id made my first savings!

2) FOOD - I shop online - means no impulse purchases, i only buy what i need, and i make sure nothing is wasted - if i cook to much, i freeze down etc. I make packed lunches for work, and cook from scratch using "value" products.

3) CUT BASIC EXPENSES - Make sure youre getting the cheapest deal, and shop about.....making even minor savings can make a HUGE overall difference...its not about suddenly finding a grand you never knew you had spare!! Its about finding lots of little savings.

** Check your bills online OFTEN so you know where you are.
**phone bills (make sure you understand your tariff, whats included, what isnt etc) Dont go over your allowance!
**gas and electric is a good one (turn the heating off if its warm enough or down a couple of degrees and stick a jumper on instead), dont be afraid to phone suppliers and ask where you can make savings etc.
** Travel - i spoke to my boss about my situation, and he was VERY understanding...I now work from home regularly, saving £350 a month on travel costs. AMAZING boss!! :A

4) BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET.... and know WHERE your DF journey could take you!!!.....im OBSESSED by my budget. I have a spreadsheet that tracks my budget on a monthly basis until January 2015 (im not kidding!)...it means not only do i know what i can afford etc, and what I need to pay off my debt each month but ALSO means that I can "look" to the future and see how GREAT my finances will look even in a year? I find that incredibly motivational :j

5) SNOWBALL!!!!!

6) Try and boost your income - I usually make around £150-£200 extra per month?

Theres LOADS of little things I do every day, so listing them all is hard, but its all about changing the way you think? I want to buy a house, thats ALL i want (aside from a lovely man) so by being able to "look" into the future using my spreadsheet, I can see where Im headed -so every penny I DONT spend, every penny I SAVE from a bill means that every extra penny i can pay off my debt (the quicker the better) is not only saving me ££'s interest, but also takes me closer and closer to what I want the most :j
Ive managed to bring my DFD forward from August 2012 to March 2012....and HOPEFULLY that will soon be Feb (yayy) purely by making extra payments where i can.

Does that help? :rotfl:

Muhren

Yeah that does help give me some ideas on how I could spend less and make cut backs. I have already started some of the things you mentioned, I would love to be able to work from home or even a liitle closer to home as I am spening about £320 a month on petrol!!