Keeping Motivated

Wimbrel

Hello

I've lurked on and off for years but decided last night that I'd take the plunge and sign up.

As you know getting your affairs in order can feel like a very long haul indeed. Three years ago I had debts totaling £43,500 which was well over 125% of my gross income. Last night I was doing the sums as I often do and was pleasantly surprised to find that the new total is £18,350. or just under 50% of gross income It would have been less by now but for the need to get and get running a *new* car (not new in any shape or form but a car is essential to my job). I'm getting there and I will get there... eventually.

Anyway, snowballing, overpaying, watching the pennies and it works but goodness it sometimes feels like I'd like a week off from it .

So, the question is; how do you keep yourself going? The days of dreading opening the post or answering the phone are long behind me. I didn't need to use a DMP and I didn't get interest frozen; perhaps foolishly I took the view that I'd incurred the debt so should pay it , My credit rating is still trashed but nothing is in arrears, everything is getting more than the minimum with the snowball due to knock debt#4 on the head next month ( a bank loan and three CCS gone; 4 CCs to go). I'm not tempted to slack off now but I could just do with a boost and a new sense of motivation.

Any advice or inspiration.most heartily welcomed! I calculate that I still have two and a bit years to go so need to keep myself keeping on.

LittleDutchgirl

I became the spreadsheet queen and find them hugely motivating. I check in regularly and after the first few months totals started to decrease nicely. I am one payment away from being debt free but it is still motivating to see where I was a year ago and how far I've come.

andyfromotley

I find listening to Dave Ramsey quite motivational. He can be a bit marmite but there are lots of stories of people working through big debts!

Perhaps you could take 1 month off as a reward? Just pay the minimums and use the extra to treat yourself to something completely frivolous? It can be a reward and an reminder of what your life will be like when you are debt free?

You have done a terrific job so far, well done.

StrugglingYouth

Take a look back at where you have originally come from. Work out the amount of interest you have saved yourself.

May help put things in perspective and provide some relief.

-taff

Keep a visual reminder of your debt somewhere you can see it, cross off the total of each debt and write the new total down every time you pay something off something with the dates alongside.....

Swampy3k

You should set yourself some targets.

Such as, if you were to pay off a certain amount you would treat yourself. e.g.

Pay off 1000, Buy New shoes
Pay off 3000, Buy New handbag
Pay off 5000, Weekend away
etc etc...

Bobarella

Hi there
Another voice to add to the list of congratulations. You have done so well! My goodness the amount you've paid down is really amazing.
Good for you.
One thing I find myself is just staying very close to the journies of other on here. Joining in the challenges that appeal to me. And talking a lot to others who know what it is like to be obsessed as many of us are with the notion of debt freedom. I don't personally need rewards like a new this or that because the thought of getting to the payday where I don't owe a bean to anyone keeps me going. But that said I respect the fact some people do need to pause for a breather and then keep going. It is a good suggestion to take a month off and just enjoy life for a bit. Some people even go o holiday etc when paying it off. At the end of the day it's whatever and however it works for you.
If your mind is different then you shouldn't find taking time off means you just give up and roll back into the bad times but have a breather and get back to it.

So that's my two 2p worth

Again well done you. Getting rid of debt can often be a very thank less function. That's why we all have to support each other. And think of our DFD.

Good luck

Bob

Ellieseleven

I use a combination of what others have said here. I love my spreadsheets and set smaller milestones along the way, that way I stay focused but not daunted by the overall figure.

I enter various challenges and have recently signed up for YNAB which is keeping me occupied and helping me to budget better. My favourite challenge is saving a pound a day for Christmas, it's such a buzz when I open the tin and count all those pounds and it takes all the stress out of Christmas.

Ellie x

Wimbrel

Thank you everyone for the replies. ideas and encouragement! I've decided to give myself a treat and have booked tickets to the theatre for my birthday in a couple of months time, a little boost which I shall take from the emergency fund I've set up with the local credit union and have been paying £25 a month into since April last year . Christmas is sorted, we don't go overboard anyway but I buy little gifts in sales as I see them throughout the year and make best use of my freezer and store cupboard to make the most of bargains when I see them.. there's £25 a month built into the budget for this purpose and it's amazing what you can get for that and how much it sometimes saves on the food budget (I've been able to make several small over payments due to the odd week living from the store cupboard and freezer). Also I always have a little gift to hand for birthdays etc and that saves both face and cash.

I shall keep on keeping on! And keep coming here for tips and advice. So very much appreciated!

An this afternoon I shall dust off my Excel skills and build a spreadsheet!

katy_ann

Wow, well done you have done fantasticly!

As LDG said, I also LOVE a spreadsheet! I check them everyday, even if theres no change! And its so easy to keep a track on what you have!

I also put any "left over" money, a few pounds here and there, into a money box and when there is about £10 in there, I take it to the bank, change it up and take my crispy £10 note into town and maybe treat myself to a top from primark or some new make up! That is motivating for me!

Chrysanthemum5

Well done first of all because that is one hell of a cut to the original debt!

I keep myself motivated by imagining a time when all the money used to pay debt could pay for a holiday or to decorate my house and none of it on credit. I keep reminding myself this isn't forever and will be over soon and that one day I will look back on my stupid spend ups or the need for credit when not working and just feel proud I'm out the other side.

I've promised myself a spa day when I have paid everything off and hubby is buying a new guitar when all paid realistic dreams with the money we will have spare keep going you are doing amazing x