A How-To guide on keeping motivated...

ilovelondontown

When your bank account is being emptied so that payments are made and the balances are coming down, the number creditors are disappearing 1 by 1, nobody can deny that your efforts are paying off (pardon the pun) but in the process you’ve had to forgo things you used to have, new clothes, nights out, owning a car, holidays. Even the regular cheeky Saturday night take away has vanished, there are time when you start wondering if it’s truly worth the effort, when the big reward isn’t reached until the VERY END! After all ignorance is bliss, facing up to it is a pain in the neck!

I’m in such a place right now, my DF journey has slowed down somewhat, it’s still going in the right direction but my motivation, I think, must be hiding in the same place as my credit card. I want to say F-this, I’m off to the shops for a spree and something divine for lunch!

Does anyone want to share how they cope when they have moments/days like this?

cottage_retreatist

Hi ilovelondontown - it must be something to do with the nights starting to get longer that makes us all feel a bit miserable about the old moneysaving/debt-busting malarky at this time of the year.

Just to say Hok3y started a thread along this line the other day: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4767616 - this might be what you're looking for?

C-R xx

wegle

Definitely check our HOK3Y's positivity thread, there's some great tips in there.

The nights drawing in is definitely having an affect on my motivation, but it's a good excuse to curl up inside, put your jammies on and watch a good movie. C-R and I have already decided this is going to be our no spend solution!! :rotfl:

cottage_retreatist

wegle wrote: »

Definitely check our HOK3Y's positivity thread, there's some great tips in there.

The nights drawing in is definitely having an affect on my motivation, but it's a good excuse to curl up inside, put your jammies on and watch a good movie. C-R and I have already decided this is going to be our no spend solution!! :rotfl:

*whispers* I'll be watching 'great' tv such as Most Haunted and Extreme Couponing - maybe some Doomsday Preppers marathons!!! I don't like blockbusters!!!!! :rotfl: *sneaks away to hide under a big furry blanket for the rest of the afternoon*

Sinhanada

I agree - have been on my plan for three years now and have recently done my review - quite helpfully I was told in 16 months I'm debt free! Now there is light at the end of the tunnel it has renewed my motivation.

As for the sneaky takeaway, I tend to eat a few beans or very basic meals and still have a once a month takeway plus bottle of wine. That definitely helps you feel good about yourself. However the bland meals in place of it sometimes make it seem otherwise! ;-)

wegle

cottage_retreatist wrote: »

*whispers* I'll be watching 'great' tv such as Most Haunted and Extreme Couponing - maybe some Doomsday Preppers marathons!!! I don't like blockbusters!!!!! :rotfl: *sneaks away to hide under a big furry blanket for the rest of the afternoon*

I love extreme couponing!! :j Why can't it be like that in the UK?!?

sian123

I think my days like this seem to be everyday. I should save more money but at the same time i want to enjoy my life. But saying that it would feel great to not have any debts hanging over my shoulders. I guess what is the better option?!

Newgirl_2

I definitely understand the flagging motivation.

We have been very lucky that we have had the same approach to things and agreed that we would rather cut back in some areas to allow the odd splurge. We manage to fit in a treat now and again (not always monetary, sometimes just cooking a more special meal with what we have, making a dessert or hot chocolate or whatever, and an evening with a film or the xbox) to keep us going.

The point of motivating yourself to keep going is seeing the bigger picture - ok, you can't have a takeaway all the time now but think how much healthier you are for not having one weekly. Or how it's a treat when you do have one.

If this process has taught me anything it is not to rush. To realise that I don't have to own everything right now. Yes having credit cards lets you splurge all in one go but next month, you can't afford anything because you're paying off the card plus interest. Once I have spare money I can pace myself and have the thing I want over time. No more cards for me.

Sinhanada

Another way that I have saved an awful lot of money is through Sainsbury's believe it or not. I took out pet insurance through them and now receive double nectar points which is brilliant. This coupled with the bonus coupons that are always popping out (And I must admit I sneakily take the ones left in the self service checkouts) have meant that in four months I have over £55 worth of nectar points available. This Christmas I think I'll finally be able to have some champagne.

I always like to look out for special offers on items we would normally buy - so pledging allegiance to one supermarket is folly!