Inspiration

Wont_be_beaten

What motivated us in the beginning was quite simple - survival. The fear of losing everything due to our debts was truly overwhelming, kept me awake at night, worried by every post delivery life was a real struggle.

Now 10 years later and 3 months from becoming debt free I look back and recall the how life was I never want to feel like that again.

I wonder if you have really had your LBM? You need to seize the opportunity to get debt free before you get more debt as it will only be so much harder.

With the end in sight I can think about all the things we can do when we are £1100+ better off each month. We probably won't do half of the things we talk about but at least we will have choices.

So in short our motivation was originally fear then dreams of having control of our lives with all the choices.

Good luck.

andyfromotley

Great post wontbebeaten.

Ellieseleven

My inspiration and motivation is knowing that I will be debt-free before I retire and that I will be able to retire abroad.

I set myself mini milestones along the way which I can reach in relatively small periods of time rather than looking at the whole amount which for us was just short of 46k:eek: if I had only focused on the full amount, I think that I would have given up:o

I wish you well
Ellie x

rockm87

andyfromotley wrote: »

Check out MR Money Mustache,

He has definitely helped me look at the way i view money, possessions and to a degree happiness. In a fairly short period i have been turned off the idea of accumulating more and more stuff and the idea that spending will make me happy.

Go take a look.

AGREED! he is amazing!!! I read ALL his blog posts in one day, what an amazing approach. he changed my life.

I also top up with Dave Ramsey podcasts, when you hear people get out of debt and do their 'debt free scream' its really motivating, and uplifting!

get rid of your lines of credit, cut up those cards, if its too tempting cut yourself off. Make your debt VISIBLE, have a chart or something to keep you focused.

or visualise what your life will be like without debt....that works for me BIG TIME...

esbm

andyfromotley wrote: »

Check out MR Money Mustache,

He has definitely helped me look at the way i view money, possessions and to a degree happiness. In a fairly short period i have been turned off the idea of accumulating more and more stuff and the idea that spending will make me happy.

Go take a look.

His philosophy made a big difference to me. I no longer see shopping or spending as a leisure activity or pick me up, and instead revel in driving around in my old banger, shopping in aldi and reading through here!

enjoyyourshoes

What do you want to achieve from life ?


Set yourself Goals which are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound)


The inspiration is the writing these down, visualising achieving it and really believing in what you want to do with your life.


(we are a long time dead !)


Hard work, dedication, perseverance, dogma, revisiting how your doing against GOALS will keep you on track and maintain the belief and re-inspire you to continue.


Not doing it , you will still have your debt, your cupboards will be stuffed with stuff and you will repost 'need some inspiration'


Its your choice and success is within you.


You just need a paradigm moment ! ?

kickuptheasstime

Oh my goodness, thank you everyone! I didn't expect such an amazing response!
I'm reading all of your thoughts & advice, and feeling humbled, I think I'm going to print out this thread & keep it in my handbag to help me stay disciplined
Thank you xx

sazaccount

I only had a "small" debt when starting on here but was happy to keep plodding along getting deeper and deeper. From being on here and other life events I've realised my passion for travelling had just been on mute for a long time and I have got stuck in a min wage job not fully "growing up" yet.

So my inspiration was to go travelling again but to learn from the mistakes I had made last time (mainly around money and spending too much too quickly)

I still have a few payments left on my car loan, I have the money to pay this off but when I had got the settlement figure it was only £20 less than if I let it run. I was able to even go on a weeks last minute holiday and not worry too much about the money.

Start with something small what do you aim to be in 6 months time? Currently you will of paid off £4800, that will bring you to around £25,000. With a little extra push, maybe joining one of the challenges, look at your spending it can be even more!!

Try posting up an SOA and the lovely members here will be able to help with other areas to cut back. Also look at Snowballing, making your money work harder for you

Good Luck
xx

tealady

Wont_be_beaten wrote: »

What motivated us in the beginning was quite simple - survival. The fear of losing everything due to our debts was truly overwhelming, kept me awake at night, worried by every post delivery life was a real struggle.
Good luck.

Oh I well remember that feeling, mind you it helped me get out of debt because I NEVER want those days back and seeing my debts go down knowing one day they would be gone was a great motivator.

Puddylove

At the moment, I'm facing the end of nearly all my PT contracts in a few months, and redundancy from my FT contract in the next year maybe (yet to be announced, my employers are still 'consulting').
That has focussed my mind on saving as much as possible for all eventualities, while also gradually paying down my remaining credit card debt.
I wish I could get rid of the debt entirely - it takes a fair chunk out of my disposable income.
P x