5 years and 3 months till my debt free date!!

e4rub

I am feeling really hacked off today :mad::mad:
So, here's a little bit of background info for you all. Been on a DMP with Stepchange since July 2010 and while I am over the moon at how much we have paid I am getting to the stage where I hate the fact that we still have 5 years left till we are debt free. Just wondered if it was normal to feel this way??? Has/Is anyone else who is on or has done a DMP felt this way or is it just me.
I have a little savings/emergency money as it is my husband 40th birthday next month and I want to treat him (we have not given each other birthday/xmas presents since being on DMP). We stick to budget 99% of the time and apart from a slight blip with W*onga (it is now paid back in full) we manage ok.......think that is the problem.....we manage. I think I am a bit sick of 'managing'.
Think I just want other people who have been on a DMP to tell me that what I am feeling is 'normal'

Emily x

gettingbackontrack

Hi Emily

From my experience is entirely normal to fell like this. You've made great progress - when you see 39% of debt paid off you can see you're really making inroads.

I'm six years into my debt-free journey. I started off with £52,000 debt and now I owe £11,000 (plus my overdraft which I've ignored so far - silly me). Sometimes it feels endless and as if I'm not making any progress at all. I haven't even set a debt-free date as I expect one CC company will massively increase interest when I can pay more after I pay off my other cards.

What's helped me has been both tracking the individual debts so I can see how the number is getting lower and also taking a more scenic route to paying them off. At first I lived off very little, didn't buy clothes etc, rarely went out but I just haven't been able to sustain it. You need to balance the debt repayments with living your life especially when you have a long repayment period ahead of you.

Can you rejig your budget so you can have a treats fund? Something so you don't feel your life is on hold for such a long period of time?

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

beanielou

Keep plodding & keep posting.
You can do this.

e4rub

Thanks
Think I was just having a bit of a wobble yesterday!!!!! We have cut back on EVERYTHING, so there is not much space for 'treat' money!!!I know we will be debt free one day, just seems a long way away!!Kids would love a holiday (not going to happen!!!!!), our car is on its last legs and we need lots of work doing in the house (again, not going to happen!!!!!) I just hate the fact that the kids childhood has revolved around our money problems..........and I really hope they don't hate us for it and also that they manage money much better than their Mum and Dad did.
Think I just need a bit of a moan at the moment..........I am sure I will be fine in a few days :o

Emily x