Debt free by 40 -- 19 Months and counting

mfmaybe

Hi Steph,

Like everyone else I completely agree you've earned the right to go, by a long way! But before deciding/agreeing, I'd do the following:

-Tot up in your head how much you really think it would be. Search for flights, are they as really as low as that, once all the extras are added on? How would you get to and from the airport at each end? Would a car be needed? Do you have travel insurance already? Hidden extras like a coffee at the airport or a couple of souvenirs or a little day trip whilst away soon add up. That will be £x. Add on a few pounds for peer pressure

-Agree, be very upfront with your friends about your moneysaving efforts (you don't have to say it's debt repayments!) and that you'd be looking to spend as little as possible. How do they react? Does it feel like they will all renege and want to eat out a lot?

- Work out how many treatments that £x would be. That's a useful benchmark.

- Now, the bit only you can answer. Would you rather take the £x earned and go on holiday, or would you rather get N*xt off your back, or Littlewoods as it might be by then :cool:. If you are sitting here sticking your tongue out at me and thinking them I'm being a right spoil sport, then you definitely should go! But if you feel a little bit sick about the prospect of delaying the debt payments by that, then pay off the debt a bit more instead.

Trust me, I am the worst offender of the "go on holiday and be damned" type, and I truly believe in the value of time away from the grind. But only you will know which one will make you feel better in the longer term. And if you decide to go, do it with absolutely no guilt and a fully clear conscience :T

StressedSteph

debtfreewannabe321 wrote: »

Ummm I will probably get shot down, but I would do it! Sounds pretty cheap to me and if you eat & drink in it will be a great frugal break You only live once and if you can afford it then do it! (I would have said no only because my passport ran out and i'd need to pay for that as well as flights etc ) but If yours is in date, why not

ETA: Glad you enjoyed the hot air balloon ...I'd love to do that You really do have some nice friends :eek: !! xx

Hi DFW,

I did check my passport today as I haven't used it for abour 4+ years. It is still valid. I am by no means decided on going. I am waiting for more information. I am scared it will snowball into a big expensive break. My friends are claiming it will be a cheap break but I an very aware that they are all (or appear to be) considerably richer than me.

abba1772 wrote: »

I second dfw321 answer go for it that's like 4 spa treatments so I would defo go for it xx

Hi abba,
Yes I guess the flight is only 4 treatments. its the rest I am a little worried about

fern44 wrote: »

pay off your NEXT bill and I will let you go (how do I insert a smiles here? LOL
A break will do you good give you something positive to aim for x

Hi Fern

Hehe yes, definitley need to kill of this EVERLASTING Next debt before I go. I am still struggling mentally with expense of the break. I can't help feeling that if I can find the maybe £300 total to go away for the break, then i could use that against the debt

wantabetterlife

I think you should go...if the flights are actually as cheap as that it wouldnt be that dear all In..like someone else said it will give you a taste of what life could be like when debt free and make you even more "gazelle intense"

StressedSteph

maddiemay wrote: »

The break would really do you good and OH and the children would realise exactly how much you achieve in the hours that they are at work/school. On the proviso of course that OH earns extra to pay for his later trip.

When you meet up with your friends, could you be really upfront with them and say that you are really keen, but because of getting some stuff paid off and badly needing to save for the extension to your home you could only do it if it will involve eating and drinking in, that way no one could sabotage the plans when you are there and end up with unplanned spends?

MM
xx

Hi MM

Hubby is quite keen for me to go on the break, but I am not daft enough not to realise that he probably feels that if I go then that means he will get to go soon too ;).

I want to check with the girls about what their plans are, because I obviously don't want to over-spend and I also don't want to be a miserable old baggage by refusing to do anything. I would sooner not go.

Very tricky. xxxxx

dawnybabes wrote: »

I'd go too, you're working really hard and it's cheap !

This time 2 months ago you had no extra income (just the craft income) and now you're making some money and huge inroads. It's only 4 treatments :-)

Ciaerda wrote: »

Go for it Steph you have worked really hard this year just look at your signature, its a one off and i think the break will give you a taste of what life will be like when you are eventually debt free so it will give you even more umph to finally shift it - not that you need anymore you are going great guns x

Hi Dawn & Ciaerda,

I do feel like I am almost at the half way mark and a little controlled treat might be nice. Just need to make sure it doesn't turn into a huge mistake

Buffythedebtslayer

Just seen your post about the weekend in Portugal.


GO.


Life is too short


You have worked your socks off these last few months. You have retrained, re organised and done so amazingly well.


you honestly do deserve it Steph.

StressedSteph

pennywisepoundstupid wrote: »

I also think you should go, as long as you are paying for it cash which i'm sure you will and your not adding to the debt i don't see why you shouldn't go.

Pros -
1)Break will do you good and you will come back wanting to pay off debt even more so you can enjoy more holidays.
2)Dads should always have to spend some alone time looking after their children so they can see just how bl**dy hard it is juggling kids,job, housework etc.
3) Encourage friends that they need some lovely relaxing treatments before the holiday to help them relax and get into the swing of things and get them booked into the salon.

Cons - Can't think of any :rotfl:.

Also with xmas around the corner could you print out a little leaflet of treatments you do, get hubby to give to his mates and encourage them to buy their wives/girlfriends a treatment for Christmas, I'm sure you could make and print off a voucher on the computer.

Hi PWPS

Thanks so much for your Pro's. I do agree with all of them. I guess I am just scared of messing up.

I love the idea about the leaflet & voucher for Christmas. Will definitely have a chat to hubby about that.

mummytogirls wrote: »

Im in on the going away for the weekend! We all need a little treat now and again xx

Hi mummytogirls,

Thanks hun. I certainly feel like I need a treat, but not sure I deserve it xx

mfmaybe wrote: »

Hi Steph,

Like everyone else I completely agree you've earned the right to go, by a long way! But before deciding/agreeing, I'd do the following:

-Tot up in your head how much you really think it would be. Search for flights, are they as really as low as that, once all the extras are added on? How would you get to and from the airport at each end? Would a car be needed? Do you have travel insurance already? Hidden extras like a coffee at the airport or a couple of souvenirs or a little day trip whilst away soon add up. That will be £x. Add on a few pounds for peer pressure

-Agree, be very upfront with your friends about your moneysaving efforts (you don't have to say it's debt repayments!) and that you'd be looking to spend as little as possible. How do they react? Does it feel like they will all renege and want to eat out a lot?

- Work out how many treatments that £x would be. That's a useful benchmark.

- Now, the bit only you can answer. Would you rather take the £x earned and go on holiday, or would you rather get N*xt off your back, or Littlewoods as it might be by then :cool:. If you are sitting here sticking your tongue out at me and thinking them I'm being a right spoil sport, then you definitely should go! But if you feel a little bit sick about the prospect of delaying the debt payments by that, then pay off the debt a bit more instead.

Trust me, I am the worst offender of the "go on holiday and be damned" type, and I truly believe in the value of time away from the grind. But only you will know which one will make you feel better in the longer term. And if you decide to go, do it with absolutely no guilt and a fully clear conscience :T

Hi mfmaybe

Your reply really struck a chord with me, where you said about feeling a little bit sick about the lost debt payment.

I have found that I can pretty much scrape together the flight cost with my no un-needed car tax savings and some extra bit.

Hubby said he will be bringing some extra money in on the job he is on at the moment, which should give me around £200-£250.

So I could afford it, with impacting the debt repayment or putting anything on credit....BUT........I could pay off nearly £400 against my debt if I don't go :eek:

I think the only thing I can do is meet up with them Thursday and see how it pans out. If they say they are going to hire a car or eat out most nights then I will back out. I also need to find out how many meals we will be out there for so I can work out the average cost.

I would sooner not go, than be the boring one that won't join in and moans about the money all the time.

Thank you soooo much everyone for your valued advice, I will update you after the Thursday meeting.

I do hate it when temptation comes by. This is my first real challenge.

StressedSteph

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

Just seen your post about the weekend in Portugal.


GO.


Life is too short


You have worked your socks off these last few months. You have retrained, re organised and done so amazingly well.


you honestly do deserve it Steph.

Hahaha thank you Buffy.

I am half feeling that if I can do it with a controlled cash budget of a maximum of £350 including the flight then I will go.

As long as I still pay around £850-£1000 against debt per month and do not add anything to my debt total, and fund it from hubby's extra work.

There will obviously be a lost £350 that could have gone against the debt, but I suppose as long as its not a setback then I should live my life. I could be dead next year :eek:;)

Just depends if I can do it within £350. xxxx

StressedSteph

wantabetterlife wrote: »

I think you should go...if the flights are actually as cheap as that it wouldnt be that dear all In..like someone else said it will give you a taste of what life could be like when debt free and make you even more "gazelle intense"

Hi wantabetterlife

Thanks for replying. I do feel like it could be classed as a half way mark treat. Does'nt stop me being very scared though, I have been second guessing even small purchases and I am now considering spending £350. I feel very uncomfortable about it

I am definitely not committing until I know all the info xxxx

baglady1

Hi Steph, I agree with the others. My thoughts - it's only a long weekend, if the flights are cheap, even if there is a meal out it would be lovely break from the daily grind (bread and water when back at home). Your OH seems quite receptive. The cost seems manageable. A nice relax time for you. You're so lucky over there, couple of hours flying & you're in any number of different countries whereas here in Oz after 6 hours en route to say Hong Kong you're still over Oz! I say if it's feasible financially with a couple of treats like nice meal & glass or 2 of wine added then do it. Blow away the cobwebs & life's too short etc etc. regards baglady xx

SuperAllyB

StressedSteph wrote: »

There will obviously be a lost £350 that could have gone against the debt, but I suppose as long as its not a setback then I should live my life. I could be dead next year :eek:;)

The rate you're going £350 won't add much more than a week onto your debt-busting schedule!

Hubby might need a bit more :beer: money on his turn though?