Why I don't feel deprived.

Trishiapp · 28 March 2014 at 5:11PM

I agree quantic. No amount of material stuff is worth jeopardising our health for! And yet, we live in a society that defines itself by accumulation of clutter; the more we have, the more 'successful' we are.

This of course, is a big error in our perception since, what good is a flashy car, if we are suffering with work related stress and anxiety?

My younger sister, who has very little, in terms of stuff, always says , " The less I have, the lighter my journey through life is." How very right...

DD265 · 28 March 2014 at 11:25PM

I've found that because I buy less, when I do buy something because I've saved up for it I get excited! I am buying something tomorrow that I've wanted for a few years, and have saved really hard to be able to get and I've wanted it to be Saturday all week so I can go into town and pay on my debit card.

I can't remember the last time I got so genuinely excited about something.

ali_bf · 1 April 2014 at 9:30PM

I've wanted to become debt free for ages and after reading some of your posts, huge huge well done. You guys are such an inspiration. I'm now about to embark on this and hope it's not too painful.
How do I start? I don't even want to face up to how much I owe. My husband lost his job today. Both now out of work and a horrendous roller coaster of a few months to come I guess. I will stay positive though!

:)

NHS_worker_bee · 1 April 2014 at 10:59PM

Welcome ali bf from another newbie.

I don't feel deprived because instead of spending money I don't have, I'm focusing on spending time I do have with the people who matter to me, and I've realised who my real friends are (the ones who are just as happy to come round for a cheap homemade dinner rather than go out for an pricey meal). I'm just starting to deal with my debt but feeling better just for admitting it needs doing.

maganan · 1 April 2014 at 11:06PM

ali_bf wrote: »

I've wanted to become debt free for ages and after reading some of your posts, huge huge well done. You guys are such an inspiration. I'm now about to embark on this and hope it's not too painful.
How do I start? I don't even want to face up to how much I owe. My husband lost his job today. Both now out of work and a horrendous roller coaster of a few months to come I guess. I will stay positive though! :)

Oh no I feel for you get on the mutual support thread, have a read, post a statement of affairs (SOA) there's a link to the one used and people can help you with where you can save etc and also try the Step Change web site and their debt remedy tool

Good luck, keep keep posting and remember the positive thoughts from this thread x

Trishiapp · 2 April 2014 at 6:16PM

DD265 wrote: »

I've found that because I buy less, when I do buy something because I've saved up for it I get excited! I am buying something tomorrow that I've wanted for a few years, and have saved really hard to be able to get and I've wanted it to be Saturday all week so I can go into town and pay on my debit card.

I can't remember the last time I got so genuinely excited about something.

Well done for being determined and self-disciplined DD 265

There's a lot to be said for delayed gratification. I really, really want a pergola for my garden, but know that, as I'm still paying off my debts, I won't be able to get it until next year. No doubt, once I've cleared my debts, and saved up enough money to get it, I'll appreciate it all the more!

Enjoy your special purchase!

daydream_believer_2 · 2 April 2014 at 6:43PM

It is also very true you find out who your real friends are.
We live abroad, and a very close, and financially secure friend came to visit with her children. They wanted to go to a waterpark, and although this was before my LBM, I was heading that way, and knew I couldn't afford it.
I kind of hinted that I couldn't go, and think said friend was going to pay for me,(she had an inkling things weren't good) which I wasn't comfortable with either.
The result, total change of plan to a day snorkling at the beach with a picnic. All her idea, knowing how uncomfortable I was about the situation, and a couple of kids who had a fantastic, free day out, who learnt a valuable life lesson that a good time can be had for little or no money!

As for whether we feel deprived now we're working on paying everything back, the answer is not at all. We live in a very cheap property, in a beautiful location, don't waste any food, cook everything from scratch, and can go days on end without spending a single penny.

strandedinaber · 2 April 2014 at 7:04PM

This is such a lovely post! Thank you for sharing!

For me, I have learned what my priorities are. I have learned that if I want to live a certain way (which is buying the more ethical but also more expensive fair trade products) then other things must be sacrificed.