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crazy_cat_lady

It's such a good feeling isn't it? The end is finally in sight for me as well.

BrandNewStart

Now down to £2611.32 I spoke to CAP on Friday and they said I may have only 2 more payments to make, or 2 and a little bit extra to finish off. So exciting.

I cannot wait to get there and start building savings. It's been a long road.

It will be so nice to feel that I am rewarded for work!

BrandNewStart

Also new signature

Bobarella

You have done so well. Amazing amount of debt paid down.

Dird

Nice job paying it down so quickly how did you find the process? Do you have much left over after the £800-900 repayment & essentials?

Once this is done it seems you'll build up savings very quick :shocked:

BrandNewStart

Dird wrote: »

Nice job paying it down so quickly how did you find the process? Do you have much left over after the £800-900 repayment & essentials?

Once this is done it seems you'll build up savings very quick :shocked:

It was really hard at first but I've gotten used to it. Fundamentally I can still do most simple things, like riding my bike, that I really enjoy. The simple things. With some juggling I even managed to afford going to a (cheaper) game at the Rugby World Cup which was so exciting as I've not been able to do stuff like that! But to be honest there have been a fair few grey, depressing weekends too. Partly due to me being a depressive, and partly because of a lack of perceived options. There are some really good free things though - I have joined a running (or in my case slow shuffling) club which is FREE and a real shot in the arm for its positivity.

This process has changed my attitude to money completely. I hate spending now, it stresses me out even more than it did before! There is not much left at all after the repayment & essentials but I have done some tutoring to keep my head above water which has been a bonus. I do get very knackered doing that on top of my very full-on job though. I am hoping it has taught me something about delaying gratification! It has been amazing as the end has neared how my mood has lifted - I think the burden was heavier than I realised, but it is so worth it to keep going. I am now dreaming of saving for a holiday, and a deposit on a house... fingers crossed!

tealady

Hi
Well done you for clearing your debt so quickly. When I became debt free I started saving but treated the saving as a debt i.e something that HAD to be paid for out of my budget. That way I was able to pay cash for stuff I really wanted.
HTH

BrandNewStart

tealady wrote: »

Hi
Well done you for clearing your debt so quickly. When I became debt free I started saving but treated the saving as a debt i.e something that HAD to be paid for out of my budget. That way I was able to pay cash for stuff I really wanted.
HTH

Thanks but I haven't cleared it yet That's a really good idea. I know I will want to loosen the constraints a little bit but I am worried I will slip back into old ways if I do! I will need to find a middle ground I guess.

BrandNewStart

Hi guys, Happy New Year

I am 20 days or so from going debt-free.Can't really believe it. It has been a hard slog at times but so worth it. The last couple of days as 2016 has ticked round I've definitely noticed a spring in my step

I have been in debt one way or another since 1999 when I left Uni about £500 overdrawn. So it has always been a cloud hanging over me really. I hope it's going to feel really good to be able to save money and move my life forward. Maybe go on holiday, when I've got enough!

Just the idea of going to work and being rewarded rather than having to spend all my money on repayments is so exciting.

I've learned a lot over the past 2 years.

Stuff I have learned

• I can be OK even when I'm broke.
• I CAN be disciplined with money
• I used to spend money on lots and lots of things I didn't need
• CAP are brilliant and have been such a help
• No-one is bothered if I can't afford something
• Most people get by on a lot less than me - I am very fortunate
• It is better to be honest and own your mistakes. People respect you for it
• Lots and lots of people have money worries - you are not alone!

I know a lot of that is perfectly obvious to some people but for me, even though I knew most of the above intellectually, I didn't feel it. I suspect I have been living under a burden for a long time without really realising the effect it has had. It will be interesting to see if that changes when it's all over.

Looking forward, I am going to get some new work shirts, mine actually have holes in them! :j

monochome_blue

Hey,

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this. I've been quietly following this post for a year now and your story is genuinely inspirational. Well done, I hope you feel really proud of yourself.