Paying off debts by taking money saving to the extreme.

asparagus1968

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

Hi Fairyface, I am glad that you have kept up the momentum That is half the struggle really. I am one who paid off all their debts by extreme moneysaving. I used to have graph paper taped to my fridge, every tiny square was 50p of my debt. It was coloured in tiny block by tiny block until I'd coloured it all in and was free! But then I let things lapse because I didn't 'need' to be frugal anymore. Not the basics but the more 'extreme' end of things if you know what I mean. Once the challenge was complete I got fed up because I stupidly didn't set a new challenge. Actually, I did, but I stop posting on DFW so I didn't stick to it and pretended it didn't matter...

I really wish I could remember my old log in details for that account!

But of course, here I am, back again... So yes, it can be done. I used to think of moneysaving as my hobby (and do again now) and it is addictive and great fun!

Best of luck xxx

oh bless you,what a shame. can't you contact the admin people on MSE with your email address to see if they can track down your old details?

thriftyniftyme

asparagus1968 wrote: »

oh bless you,what a shame. can't you contact the admin people on MSE with your email address to see if they can track down your old details?

They told me to start a new one! I didn't help myself though - I'd changed my username not long before I stopped posting because I was getting hassle in the real world. And I thought I knew what that new name was, but it wasn't in the user list and they couldn't find it. The old name was 'gone' when it was changed. And I couldn't remember my password or the email address I'd used (and I don't have access to my old email addresses anyway). I even tried google searching for my details or threads I thought I remembered the name of! But hey, 'it' happens...

YORKSHIRELASS

Some great tips on here. I agree with another poster - I think about saving money all the time. Every time I use something, switch something on or cook a meal I am thinking about the cost.

I try to not use the oven every day. I try to use the slow cooker instead.

At the moment I am using the central heating for an hour a day so we have hot water. I would rather use this up in a bath than run the electric shower.

I also agree that shopping less often saves you money. I do two big shops a month.

[Deleted User]

Hi thanks for your replies, just finished work, so cheapo tin of soup and bread for lunch, then household chores, sausage and mash and peas for tea from stores, going to an auction tommorow gonna do some buying and selling, I have to admit over the last few months all this debt and worry has really drained me, some days (like today),I feel like a good old cry, but my stupid spending got me in a mess, so my moneysaving will have to get me out.

[Deleted User]

About a minute after the last post my neighbour who is going to OZ for 5 months, called around with eggs, butter, milk and half a jar of coffee which needed using up, so that was good forgot to mention when I took dog out this morning found 4p and a new box of matches, like Tesco say every litte helps:)

[Deleted User]

Just done my signature so you can see how I'm doing, paid £60 off a debt today, it really does help using this site, people are so helpful and friendly.:)

thriftyniftyme

You're doing great As well as updating your sig I really would recommend the 'graph paper on the fridge' strategy to track your progress too - that was what kept me going!

As you say, every little helps. I remember once when I was talking to my dad and his partner about bread (they bought me my breadmaker and are total converts themselves and bought them as a gift for just about everyone else in our family now as well!) Anyway, I mentioned that I save the water from cooking potatoes and use that in the breadmaker with plain flour as it turns out fine. And my dad was aghast, he said, but if you made three loaves a week that's only going to save you what, a quid? And I said yep, so over £50 per year! and if I can find twenty ways to do that each week I've saved myself a grand! And he shook his head and said 'I think you're far too bothered about money'. And I replied, it's very easy not to be bothered with the pennies when you don't have to be, but what if you do?

If you have problem debts every penny counts. And debt doesn't have to be unmanageable to be a problem - if it worries you, it is 'problem' even if you can afford it. So I think you have got the right attitude :T

marmiterulesok

fairyface wrote: »

Just done my signature so you can see how I'm doing, paid £60 off a debt today, it really does help using this site, people are so helpful and friendly.:)

Well done,that's great!:j:j:j

Ilona

Hi, Nice to see my blog mentioned here, now I know why my page view stats have shot up. My lifestyle is just about as frugal as you can get, I manage very well on a state pension. I save pennies here and there, it all mounts up, then I have enough money to spend on what is important to me. Travel, decent car, my pets.

If you want to pay a debt off you really have to cut your spending to the bone. Don't take any money out with you if you can't be trusted to walk in a shop and walk out again empty handed. I never buy food out, always take my own pack up and drinks.

There is only one way to run your finances and that is like a business. Every penny has to be accounted for, keep a book, money in and money out. Read it every week and see where you could have cut your spending even more. Good luck.
Toodle pip.
Ilona aka Meanqueen

[Deleted User]

Hi guys thanks for your replies, Ilona I feel I know you very well I have read your blog right through, I know most of this money saving is just common sense, I have been very stupid over the years, and like I say I got into this mess, so I can/will sort it out, off out to an auction today will be sensible see what I can find to resell, I am going to make some jewellery to sell also, I have experience in this, I stopped doing it because not enough hours in the day and sometimes I couldn't be bothered, but gonna spend at least an hour doing some, well off to the auction now, will post again tommorow, have a great money saving day.