How do you stop yourself getting down about the time it will take?

Toomuchdebt

Mine seems relatively short-4 years and possibly sooner if I manage to pay anything off quicker but I think because it's only coming up to month 2 of my self managed DMP it just seems like it's taking forever at the moment.I just want it gone.For good. I want to move house but can't afford a deposit until all this debt is gone.Just feeling down about it today.

marliepanda

Just remember it probably took you years to get into these debts, so it will take you years to get out

The way I do is allow myself some treats, so I am not completely 'bare bones' however I am in a good position (well, living with parents which many would not say is good haha!) to save and pay off debts so I know my situation isn't applicable to everyone.

Little treats and thinking of how good it will be when its gone!

Chrisblue1962

My DMP is theoretically scheduled to last 36 years...yes, that is years but I stay motivated by the fact hat I'm confident this will decrease in time and month by month, the debt is getting smaller

changeforbetter

This is hard I agree - whenever I look at my debts (shudder) it really worries me about the time I'm going to need.

My only way of feeling better is to think that I've turned a corner in not actually totally ignoring them anymore. I haven't solved mine, and won't for a good time now, but at least I know I'm trying now, and time is essentially on your side as it goes by from now on.

Issuma

I think we all get down about our debts it's only natural but try to see each month as a step, all the small steps will soon start to add up, I'm motivated each month by completing my spreadsheet and seeing the balances come down like you I wish it was coming down quicker but I pay as much as I can and at least every month for the past 2.5 years it's gone down and not up, if I'm feeling really low I treat myself to a new lipstick, nail varnish or even just a take away coffee that I normally wouldn't have, keep smiling the road may seem long but the journey will be well worth it in the end :-)

yamsteroo

Mine was initially scheduled to be about 4yrs too so I know where your coming from but honestly, after a while you get used to the budgeting etc and it starts to take a back seat to the rest of your life instead of your whole world revolving around debt worries.


I actually found the last few months were the hardest as it was so close to the end and I kept wishing my life away until I could see zeros against all my debts!


Chin up, you're doing great

Monkeyballs

Hi TMD,

This is going to possibly sound a little weird but I'm almost thinking of my DMP as a pet...

When I first got it it was sort of unruly and a bit of a hassle and I had to spend a little time on it training it to stop it from pee'ing on the carpet (or telling creditors about it and giving my SC ref no, and so on).

Then after a few months after it has been trained and is behaving the way in which it ought too I can just sit back and watch it and take care of it so nothing bad happens but I make sure it knows I'm in charge and won't take any flak... I'm the master!

I also look for any parasites and make sure my DMP is treated to get rid of anything unwanted (I.e. F&F offers of settlement).

And eventually it will grow old and die then I can bury it! By which point I'll have learned a lot and won't want to replace it...

Basically I'm refusing to think of it as something I don't want to do I want to do this, it's a challenge and it is rewarding - much like a lot of the best things in life

MB

Skinnylatte

I have found it easier by breaking down the debt into smaller chunks and tackling a bit at a time with some of the challenges. I've been buying and selling stuff on ebay and face book and doing surveys for extra cash any thing extra I make goes straight off the debt as soon as it hits my account.

Ellieseleven

I set myself milestones along the way and as time is passing I am reaching my milestones much quicker. It does start slowly but gains momentum with each passing month and if you are able to shave of a few months along the way then that's a bonus.

Newyorkdreams

Hi Toomuchdebt - I get days where I am really hacked off with the situation that I have got myself into and I get down about it (I'm susceptible to depression so I'm very sensitive to these kinds of feelings).

I tend to try and control the beast rather than letting it control me, by calculating figures, checking and updating spreadsheets (sometimes just looking for ways to bring the DFD forward but exhausting them - you only have so much income..lol), looking for ways to save money (even if it's just a couple of pounds off a utility bill), spending an inordinate amount of time on MSE! getting fab ideas. I don't make my debt common knowledge, in fact, apart from my husband, there is probably only 1 other person who knows about it (my mum) which I think also can lead to pressure. I also encourage myself by looking at what I (well, we, as it's joint debt between me and my OH but I manage all the payments etc) have achieved. I also get encouraged by setting goals each year (see my sig below) and tracking them weekly in the Goals for 2014 thread. Not for everyone but this really helps me to focus and keep on track.

There are some great ideas on here that I'm going to use myself. I particularly like the idea of MSE Andrea's where you look back to 21 months ago (in my case which is my DFD) and that it doesn't actually feel that long ago, and that's all you have to wait again until you are free of the chains. I cannot wait.

So I empathise with you because there are days I just want to throw in the towel and go and spend £500 (or whatever) on something new for me, the house, a holiday etc and I guess that is the nature of this beast, this journey and all it's twists and turns. It's gonna be worth it though.

I don't know where I would be without this forum.

take care

NYD x

FinanciallyUnsavvy

I think I'm mainly concentrating on the short term goals... seeing the debt go down month by month is a big boost. I haven't really thought much about the end result - i.e. having all that extra money that I'm currently debt-busting with spare!! - but its certainly a motivation.

I'm just focusing on the now, every £1 paid off is £1 closer. I'm also finding ways to bring in a bit of extra money so that DFD can edge just that little bit closer a little bit quicker.

Keep your chin up and remind yourself of the progress you've made this far! x