In need of encouragement to get to the end!

silkglade

Hi Guys,

Only started here a few months ago - so did not feel it appropiate to start a debt free diary at the time as we had already been getting the debts sorted for a year.

I know that most of you will probably think me selfish as I know that we all have our journey to travel and as my sig explains I am almost there.

The problem is that I have had to put my debt free date back twice now and it is starting to take it's toll on the whole family (except the youngest as she is only 23 months and too young to understand)

Orig our debt free date was end of April - But with hubby working on me for a new 2 and 3 seater sofa set reduced to stupid price i agreed and then felt really guilty (had already put a thread on here about that at the time)

Well things were back on track and going really well for debt free date of June. Then hover blew up (have not got new one yet as have borrowed old one from mother-in-law).

Then 3 weeks ago washing machine broke down and not able to be repaired, mum was doing washing for us but as there are 5 in my family she was not happy to do this for more than a few weeks so reluctantly have had to fork out just over £300 on credit card for that, and that is where I feel like I have lost the plot - It seems the closer we get to our debt free date the further out of our reach it goes.

Had to put washing machine on credit card as we do not allow ANY spare cash nor have we since starting this journey which was Feb 06.

Any advice would be very appreciated

Thanks guys


*** ADDITIONAL EDIT WITH EXTRA INFO ***

Did not sleep well last night as thinking about money (well the lack of it) then had a thought that this month in addition to the (orig) final credit card payment we were going to be paying off my husbands car insurance too (trying to get the monthly expenditure down too) and then next month my car insurance and house insurance.

Well the additional question is should i forget hubby's car insurance this month as it is a set amount and then use the money to really finish the Credit Card this month instead as from the 16th June we will start paying interest? It will make a tight month but I think we can manage it.

That way we will still be "DEBT FREE" at the end of june and then pay all the insurances off next month (which will be cheaper as extra payment will have gone off hubby's car insurance and it is less than would have to stay on the credit card)

Snaggles

Hiya! Pretty much anyone on here will tell you that they have felt exactly how you are feeling - going through phases of our domestic appliances ganging up on us, taking two steps forward, then one step back. It can't be helped, just keep plugging away at it and you will get there in the end. From your sig it's obvious you have accomplished a lot already, and are so close to being debt free. You are not out blowing money on designer clothes and shoes - washing machines and hoovers are things that you need, and sometimes they break down and have to be replaced.

Don't be so hard on yourself, once you are debt free you will be able to build up an emergency fund, so that in future you will be able to cope if something goes wrong.

*zippy*

If its only a matter of a few weeks until your debt free, I think I would be as strict as I can with the budget, pin it on the wall and cross the days off to really motivate myself.

Put whats done behind you, if you have a young family, you need a washing machine and its just one of those things. When you are debt free you will be able to have a savings fund to cover things like that.

silkglade

Thanks snaggles,

You are really lovely, as you probably know me from I-A's diary the came as i know of you. well done on everthing you have achieved and belated congrats by the way.

I feel so alone on the journey - I am the bread winner (my choice we went for role reversal 6 years ago)

I know at times I am too harsh on myself and I feel all financial things are MY FAULT. To be honest we are all looking forward to beening DEBT FREE too much. Have been with hubby 10years and NEVER been debt free in all that time, always something hanging over us.

silkglade

Thanks Zippy that;s a fab idea, think I will take you up on that one. :T

Snaggles

Thanks!

Just think about IA's fridge freezer saga - she got through it and is still going strong with the debt repayment, and so will you...I promise....and I'm never wrong (or is it that I just can't admit when I'm wrong?....lol ).

When you feel alone or fed up, come and have a rant on here - even at this time of night, there's usually someone around to give you a bit of support and advice, as I've just discovered myself (having a bit of a bad day but not money related - and after a rant on here am feeling much more positive).

sophiesmum_2

:T :T :T

Don't be so hard on yourself - you are doing brilliantly and should be proud of what you have achieved. Your debt free date is just around the corner , then you will be able to save for disasters like the washing machine etc, in the meantime pat yourself on the back for what you have already achieved:j

sophiesmum

piglet6

Hi Silkglade

Just wanted to add my congrats to your progress so far and reassure you that you are not alone...:o

When we bought our first home, we really struggled to raise the deposit, plus fees, plus moving costs (self-hire van + 2 x Dads!!:p). We were thrilled to own our own home. Within the first 12 months our fridge freezer (2nd hand and donated), our washer/dryer (2nd hand and donated), and our boiler (inherited from the previous owner!) had all given up the ghost and died on us. Add to this that we only had a microwave, because we couldn't afford a "proper" cooker...

We replaced the fridge/freezer, and the washer/drier, and became wizards with a microwave (a cheapy, no frills, one but a very much appreciated wedding gift from Mr P's Welsh relatives!:A). By the time it came to the boiler, we were completely stuffed - no cash, and no space on credit cards for a new one. We spent the first winter of our married life having baths with hot water entirely supplied from kettles, plus "microwaved" water, plus water put through the coffee percolator (another wedding gift - just leave out the coffee...it heats the water!:rolleyes:). It barely took the chill off the water, and didn't seem that funny at the time, but we look back now and laugh about it - it helps that it is 11 years ago and memories fade with time!!!:rotfl:

Take a step back. You need a washing machine and a hoover, and these things will (should) last long after you are debt-free. You have made fantastic progress so far, and you know what you are aiming for. Sometimes life kicks us when we are down - but it makes us stronger.:T

Keep the long-term goal in sight - you WILL make it through to the other side!!!

Piglet

P.S. After 5 months with no boiler (Nov-April!!), we dicovered that British Gas would give us a new one and let us spread the payments - its now long been paid for and is still giving good service...see, there is such a thing as a happy ending!!

silkglade

Thanks sophiesmum, I really cant wait, but it seems to be getting further away.

The first 2 months once we are debt free we are going to save ALL the money we had been paying out on the debt to get a nice little nest egg for emergencies and then we are going to carry on saving whatever is still in the bank at the end of the month. AND at last we will be able to start saving for B'days and Xmas

Snaggles

Piglet, your hot water story made me giggle! Percolated water....that's class!

silkglade

Thanks Piglet,

That really made me smile. I can't wait to get a NEW hover, the one we are borrowing is so old and pretty useless, but determind to make it our 1st DEBT FREE BUY :T that and a nice BIG bottle of Booze