I did it...I am debt free!

Spendaholic_Chick

Brilliant - well done you! Drinks on you then? :beer: :beer:

southern_chick

thats brilliant news, well done

SC XX

Mozette

Fantastic! Well done you :beer:

taxi73

Congratulations..well done..bet it feels great!!!!

smilermonkey

it has taken twenty years. That sounds terrible, but if I really look at things, I have been building up this spending lifestyle since then. From my lightbulb moment though it has been about 18 months to 2 years. It has meant owning up to stuff to my parents (at 42 it hurts to stand infront of your Dad and tell him), giving up things I thought were important, such as my Van, my computers, sky, new clothes etc. I sure learned humility too. Some people will say it is silly, but at first I was so embarrased having my trolley full of the old blue and white striped shopping. Now I still get it...nothing wrong with the 40p Tesco loo rolls:rotfl:
I have worked my butt off doing extra jobs, have sold anything that wasn't nailed down and stopped spending (that was the big one!) I kept pictures of my dream house in my purse, I looked at every penny I spent as if I was giving it away to someone else and asking myself if that was ok. It really has been a case of retraining my head. I have promised to take DD to New York this summer and whereas before I would have thought "shopping, fantastic!' now I am thinking ' Hmmm, there is nothing I need, but it will be nice to see the sights"

smilermonkey

the trip to NY looks extravagent but I just want you all to know that I am staying with friends over there and will search out the best flights using martins tips of course!

sammy115

Thanks for posting smilermonkey. It keeps us all (well me at least) going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am 42 this year and have also spent the last 20 years in and out of debt. I am looking forward to Dec 08 when I really do hope that I will be finally free of my shackles.

I am really pleased for you, good luck for the future.:T :T :T

4maxine

Congratulations. Well done smilermonkey.:T :T :T
Reading this kind of success stories help keep us motivated.
I hope you'll have a fab time in New York. BTW, there are several trips to NY to be won on the comp board; wouldn't that be money saving?:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Crown

Excellent News SM,

18k in 18 Months. Surely this just wasnt down to 40p Loo roll!!

It is good to see that the effort you have put it has paid off big time. You deserve the trip to new york ank and as long as you budget and save then shop to your hearts content.

THe funny thing is I guess once you have stopped the habit of spending you dont miss it any more

Whats next? have you got a Mortgage still? maybe that could be your next challenge if so ?

Good luck in the future

tesuhoha

Well done, you are in a truly enviable position. :beer: