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Things that I have found useful on my DFJ
worriedwilf
Posts: 93 Forumite
I am starting to realise little things that really help me with my DFJ and I thought I would share!!!!!!
1) I spend as little as possible for 5 days after payday. Of course I pay my commitments/bills but I try to not withdraw any cash. This was definitely my 'danger zone' in the past and I could easily blow £100 on pay day because I felt rich!!!! 2 weeks later I would be struggling for cash!!
2) Fill the car up rather than putting £10 or £20 in as this avoids uneccesary trips to the petrol station which for me would mean buying a can of coke, a chocolate bar and a newspaper = This could easily equate to an extra £10 a week or £500 a year!!!!!
3) Use a credit card..... Yes I did say that!!! I used a 0% card for car/house insurances and whilst it did mean adding to my debt it meant that I could pay them monthly without the %apr that the companies add on. It also made the payments a little lower so I was the winner!! It does feel strange adding to debt but if it saves you money and helps you to get your end goal then I see no problem... What's the saying... speculate to accumulate and all that!!
4) Plan your meals! Rather than writing a shopping list I write a meal plan and I just buy what I need. In the past I would aimlessly pick up things that I fancied, most of which would remain in the freezer. If we are going to eat out ( usually 2 for £10!!) then we factor this in and buy one meal less.
5) Allow yourself some treats. My previous debt free journeys have failed beause I didn't allow myself any treats so after a month or two I would crack and undo all of my good work! Allow yourself that bottle of wine or ( and some of you will disagree) even save for a holiday/break providing that it doesn't massively hinder your DF progress.
Be positive. I have realised that there is absolutely no point in feeling stressed/guilty/paniked about my debt and that the best thing I an do is focus of getting rid of it!!! Stress and worry will not clear it any quicker, nor will wallowing in self pity.
Wishing you all the best with your DFJ's
1) I spend as little as possible for 5 days after payday. Of course I pay my commitments/bills but I try to not withdraw any cash. This was definitely my 'danger zone' in the past and I could easily blow £100 on pay day because I felt rich!!!! 2 weeks later I would be struggling for cash!!
2) Fill the car up rather than putting £10 or £20 in as this avoids uneccesary trips to the petrol station which for me would mean buying a can of coke, a chocolate bar and a newspaper = This could easily equate to an extra £10 a week or £500 a year!!!!!
3) Use a credit card..... Yes I did say that!!! I used a 0% card for car/house insurances and whilst it did mean adding to my debt it meant that I could pay them monthly without the %apr that the companies add on. It also made the payments a little lower so I was the winner!! It does feel strange adding to debt but if it saves you money and helps you to get your end goal then I see no problem... What's the saying... speculate to accumulate and all that!!
4) Plan your meals! Rather than writing a shopping list I write a meal plan and I just buy what I need. In the past I would aimlessly pick up things that I fancied, most of which would remain in the freezer. If we are going to eat out ( usually 2 for £10!!) then we factor this in and buy one meal less.
5) Allow yourself some treats. My previous debt free journeys have failed beause I didn't allow myself any treats so after a month or two I would crack and undo all of my good work! Allow yourself that bottle of wine or ( and some of you will disagree) even save for a holiday/break providing that it doesn't massively hinder your DF progress.
Be positive. I have realised that there is absolutely no point in feeling stressed/guilty/paniked about my debt and that the best thing I an do is focus of getting rid of it!!! Stress and worry will not clear it any quicker, nor will wallowing in self pity.
Wishing you all the best with your DFJ's
0
Comments
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def agree with the treats, xxxx rip dad... we had our ups and downs but we’re always be family xx0
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