The lessons I've learnt from last year...what are yours?

pennypinchingpenguin

I have learned that what I thought I was okay at was really denial about how hard I was trying to pay off my debt. Quite a few purchases were essential or emergency but if im honest that means a lot more were not. I am determined to focus on paying off this year. I am trying to claw back money im owed from gas companies etc. I have admittedly spent £200 on heavy winter curtains (so much more for bay windows) and bought radiator foil panels and draught excluders on ebay to help keep heating costs down. I am going to try not to buy any clothes for at least three or four months. I will likely have to buy some as im starting a fitness plan and should lose weight. But with the exception of underwear and jeans, I will buy everything from eBay.
Im excited at the challenge and I will follow those with more wisdom and experience than me!

lantanna

Hello All,


Having a lovely mse catch up morning.


What I have learnt in 2013 is that I can manage my money better and have successfully managed to bring my debts well down my switching to managing my own dmp.


I have stuck to a budget of 40 quid a week for groceries and hope to maintain that in 2014.


By the end of the year I hope to be debt free - can't wait.


I'm also joining the Credit Union and hope to get some savings behind me. I also have started a sealed pot which will run until its full.


So good luck everybody for 2014 !!

DigForVictory

That unless & until both of us actively put the hours in on eBay, the piles of stuff will grow & the eBay income won't. (Since it's paid the lads' Christmas & will fund their birthdays, himself is keener & since everything else will go to banjo the cc bill, I've found a new enthusiasm!)

If we want to get a bit healthier physically as well as financially we need to meal plan & stick at it.

That the frying pan as as much my friend as the bank manager...

Monkeyballs

Hi,

I've learned that my debt is my responsibility and I have to be the one to take control.

Also, everything adds up so while pennies in a jar add up to pounds more importantly a few pounds spent on sweeties could be a few pounds off my debt (and my belly)!

Approaching a debt charity isn't something to be ashamed of.

Finally, debt isn't something to be embarassed about so while it's difficult to talk about it you should talk about it because there's a lot of people in the same boat and talking about it helps remove the stress of it!

Happy New Year everyone!!! XXX

MB

good_advice

Morning all
The last day of 2013 today!

I am celebrating with friends and family tonight. Welcoming in a new year.
I am not at home but at a large family gathering.

Today, I wanted to share my wisdom of buying.
My own home is a selection of new and second hand things.

The new is our clothes, beds and bedding. All white goods in the kitchen

But Sh.....

I also have given many things a second home. It brings down the cost and we are not to proud to admit it.
All my curtains had previous owners. Thats the way I can have better quality. My curtains have had many Oooo's and I like your curtains.

Sofa's get mentioned a lot on MSE so I will talk about ours...
you have guessed it! not new. One is a sofa bed making our front room a extra bedroom for any guests.
Our latest is a all singing electric chair for Oh. = no way could we have one that was new or first owned.

In February we had a big clear out and gave many things away. things we no longer need we passed on to family first, then neighbors and charity shop.The clear out was slow and careful. We even had more space for a wile!.
Stuff! we collect over many years.

This Christmas more STUFF came out of the loft and hopefully only half is going back.

Changes take time, a little every day.

Best wishes all.

Eyes_wide_open

I've learnt lots this year.

That removing my head from the sand wasn't as scary as I expected.

Dealing with my financial issues gave me a sense of control rather than hopelessness.

That I can say NO and it doesn't make me a bad person.

Established the difference between Need & Want.

I have learnt to ask for refunds, present coupons, request discounts - been worthwhile.

Learnt not to write things off before giving them go, main one was a ppi claim. Didn't apply previously as felt it was useless. 30 mins work and it cleared my debt . If you have a loan / credit card where you think you've been sold ppi and think you were mis sold then apply.

The biggest thing I've learn is the value if money. At the end of the day, yes we need it however it's not what's important. After essentials it buys us stuff ( some stuff that's very nice) but having peace of mind is more important.

QueenB.

I have learnt that staying Df is a never ending struggle and that managing money is a lifelong journey with new lessons along the way. I have also learnt that no matter how hard you try and plan for the unexpected obstacles always crop up but that the planning can make them less stressful. In just over the past year my OH has broken his leg badly and been out of work, we have been in a car crash, my FIL became seriously ill and that impacted on my OH working as he was doing hospital runs etc add to that just normal things like needing new white goods, fixing bits around the home and so on. I can honestly say that without my emergency fund and budgeting and the tips i have picked up along the way 2013 would have been horrendous. However it does mean that 2014 is a year of readjusting, building the savings again and working on the small amount of debt we have built up.

Finally i have learnt that what really matters is the people around you so reach out, stay in touch and make them your focus.

patman99

The biggest thing I have learned is not to take out a massive loan to get a new car to replace the deathtrap I paid -out for just 3 months earlier when still on a temporary contract.

The contract came to a grinding halt at the beginning of November after 30 months.

Since then, I have discovered the joys of StepChance and the DWP.