What have I been doing for the last 10 years???

in_need_of_direction

Once you put your mind to it, you achieved so much. You should be ridiculously proud of yourself

Lina_T

So close now Domayne, exciting stuff!! :j really good news to hear the lump isn't something to worry over too.

What are you plans for being debt free? A saving challenge perhaps? :money:;)

Domayne

Thanks INOD and Lina! It feels ridiculously good to be able to say after making my final payment of £358.24 to my credit card this morning - I AM DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!! :j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

This is the first time in 10 years, I don't owe anybody anything and my money is 100% my own! How will I celebrate? By opening a new savings account and pouring everything I have been paying to debts into that :rotfl:
To be honest, there is nothing that I really want right now. I suppose Cuba will be a celebration of sorts since it will be paid for with cash that I SAVED for
Right now I just feel ready for the next challenge - which is my weight! In the last week I haven't focused so much on that and have been slowly working my way through a tin of quality street this week, but from tomorrow - I will be getting on it properly! No more excuses, no more 'I will start tomorrow' etc, the time is NOW!
So why tomorrow and not today?...I am going to my friends in Hertfordshire (really going this week!) and she is making me the feast she was supposed to last week and I want to enjoy it...unless she burns the house down again but I have my 30 day shred sitting on my table at home and as soon as I get home tomorrow - I will battle through and DO IT!!!
Thank you to everyone who supported me, commented, advised and kicked my behind while I was writing this diary - You made me see that I hadn't had a 'true' lightbulb moment when I started writing it, You kept me going when I felt like giving up and blowing more money on silly games and I'm truly happy that I found this site as it's been a wonderful support - thank you! :heart2:

in_need_of_direction

I hope you feel so proud of yourself. Nice of you to acknowledge the help from here but I'm still sure you could have done it. I also think it's brilliant that you kept on building the nest egg for your niece. She will so appreciate it and her money savvy auntie when she gets older. Have a wonderful day, you deserve it

Domayne

I do INOD! but I really wouldn't have had a 'real' LBM without some dressing down from some people on here
I've had 'lightbulb moments' before - but my lbm was just a panic that I would get in to deep, so I'd clear it - just so I could spend like crazy again without worrying about it
Now though - I don't want a credit card, I don't want to be in debt, I don't want to owe anyone anything, I don't want to spend 100's on some pixel game every month. I want to be money savvy, I want to have a savings account and watch the funds pile up, I want to have a secure future - I really do think that is down to you MSE'ers who showed me the light so to speak! :beer:
I hope you have a wonderful day too
Do you know if I can keep posting on this diary now I have no debt? Or do I have to vacate to another forum?

in_need_of_direction

I think you just post wherever it suits. My diary is here even though I'm a mortgage free wannabe rather than a debt free wannabe. For me though, it's cos if I don't see the mortgage as a debt rather than a bill I won't try to clear it, if you know what I mean. Other peeps post about avoiding debt so just go with what works for you.

Domayne

Ok I will keep this diary - It will now be more of a 'What happened in the next 10 years/savings diary' to keep myself on track and motivated and to make sure I don't slip back into old habits
I just didn't really want to have a bunch of diaries scattered everywhere and keep everything in the same place

bsms1147

Well done, I think everyone's glad we could see this one all the way through.

Keep it up and that house deposit you mentioned really won't be that far off.

Edit: You can also claim my 400th-post virginity.

~

And as much as you don't want a credit card, reconsider that decision in the near future to plan for long-term. Credit cards used well are fantastic. If you pay for things using it that you would otherwise be paying for in a month, eg food, travel (ie nothing you wouldn't buy anyway, and maybe only start with £10 a month via credit card) and you pay it off in full at the end of each month, a) the money stays in your account longer, earning more interest for you and building up your saving, and b) you will make yourself look very appealing to lenders when the time comes in the future that you do need credit, such as a mortgage

Definitely consider it.

Non_compos_mentis

Very well done!! Its a massive achievement! Now you just need to keep the momentum going!

I look forward to seeing your savings grow at the same rate as your debts came down!!

Chrysalis1976

Well done absolutely fabulous news, enjoy saving for your holidays!

C x