Has 'moneysaving' genuinely changed anyone's life here?

jonnyboy80

Despite only having my LBM recently I have learnt loads about myself and more importantly my spending patterns. Besides, without this site I would never have heard of Greasypalm and Quidco, which have both helped me to save money which has gone towards my debt. Thank you MSE!!!

SarahNeedle1872

I wouldn't say that moneysaving has 'changed my life' but it has certainly enhanced it by re-adjusting my relationship with money. I no longer have to worry about money - it has become more of an obssession:eek: - even tho I still have debts. I wouldn't say I a 'plan' to pay off my debts, just sheer determination.... and that has come mainly from the inspiration from people on this site. I have picked up many a hint and tip along the way, and received some excellent advice.... and dare I say it, it is even starting to rub off on my 'anti-MSE' OH

God Bless Martin Lewis and the MSE family :beer:

Jacks_xxx

It's changed me honey.

All my life I've always been very free and easy with money, generous to a fault, the first to buy a round, the person who buys the pesky "extra" one at the end of the night when everybody's already taken a turn, the one who puts in the extra for the tip, or insists it's "my treat" this time but hates feeling beholden if someone treats me, the person who goes mad on pressies, and gets in enough food to feed the 5000 at christmas etc.

That kind of thing,

But last Friday I met a friend for lunch - and I was resigned to blowing a big chunk of my budget on buying lunch out, but planned to keep it low (as we say in the daily threads!)

As it turned out, we bumped into my old boss. he insisted on treating us to lunch and not only did I let him quite cheerfully, I rejoiced on here when I got home because it meant I would finish the week under budget!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I'm a different girl thanks to Martin and you lot! :T

Love Jacks xxx

Bernie

Tustastic wrote: »

Crown, that is such an inspirational post. I'm really moved by your vision of gradually changing the culture in the generations of your family, leading to more prosperity, chances and happiness in future.
I'm not a DFW myself; just one of the many MSE-ers who visit the DFW board to marvel at the bravery and guts of all of you who are slowly and surely getting yourselves out of debt. I've learnt quite a bit about moneysaving from you all but a hell of a lot more about grace under fire, admitting dreadful mistakes and helping each other with kindness, humour, patience and without judgement or harshness. Long may it continue - it's becoming a national institution. :T

...The wife and I too drop in to marvel at the stories listed here - we cannot imagine how some of you guys get the motivation and drive to deal with your situations. ... we've been brassic, we bought a house in 1981 when interest rates were huge and were living hand-to-mouth to cope at the time (and for the years after)! We took the pain then and now it's long forgotten. We too marvel at the strength of character all you DFW display. Power to your elbows people...

:beer:

elantan

jacksxxx how did you get access to me i couldve sworn that was me that wrote that

Jacks_xxx

elantan wrote: »

jacksxxx how did you get access to me i couldve sworn that was me that wrote that

Well in that case I think we should go for a drink hon!

Love Jacks xxx

jesdan

Hi newbie to posting on the forums here!
My husband first heard about Martin's "tips" and I puffed them away. I have since bought the book (not money saving I know but feel I need to keep reading it). I am now obsessed with money saving.
I have been through claiming bank charges - some still going on - happened before the OFT / court hearing.
Yes I've claimed money back, yes I've paid bills off with this money BUT the biggest thing I have learned on this is managing money. I have done loads of spreadsheets working out incomings and outgoing but have never stuck with what I've worked out - yes my personality wanted to spend!
This site has helped me to realise that everything my grandma told me about saving is true - my mentality now is if I don't have the moeny to pay in full I don't buy - this includes cars.
OK I still have debts before this lightbulb moment - in particular my mortgage and a c*** secured loan with Welcome but working on them. If I knew when I was 18 what I know now - mainly through the help of this site (because you don't tend to believe relatives "sob" stories - you know better when you're young, how little do you know!) I would be able to sleep soundly with no debts.
I think this site is fantastic and hope it helps so many people - in particular the young people earning their first pay packet - because thats the way I started!!
Apologies for rambling but just wanted to say that this site has been a God send to me!

(Land_of)_Maz

This site and the ethos has changed my life... yes, i'd definately say so.

I'm working hard to pay debts, some of which were with me for years getting token payments and never going down. Like many i came here in search of bank charge reclaiming advice and the lump sum (only £650 in my case) was my starter for 10... since then i have reduced my number of debts by half, and the amounts outstanding by probably half their balances. i only spend what i have, have not run up any more debt, (not sure if i could to be honest!! Must check Experian!)

Oh and last week i opened an ISA, ask anyone and they'll tell you that would have been unheard of a year ago!!!!

I'm not 100% there yet, as i spend too much daily but i pay my bills religiously and overpay when i can...I do daily clicks, cashback etc. and i sell on Ebay/Amazon what i can.

Once i have my silly daily spends under control i will feel much more in control. I send too much on lunches, not even expensive ones or posh places, but just fiver here and there 3-4-5 days a week. Sheer laziness!! Thanks to Spending diary.com i am coming to realise this though. (Not a referral, i think it is an MSE-er and is a thread in it's own right here i think) Please delete the name, not the whole post if i'm wrong.

Changed my life, but not 100% there yet. But the support you get from reading posts and diaries here is amazing. I'm not fully one of the community of people here, but even from the outside looking in, as it were, the help is invaluable!

Maz
x

raq

Well Done You.

raq

This site is great.

We where about £11k in debt and my hubby only thought it was £6,000. After sorting it all out and paying the highest card first. It keeps me going day in day out looking on all the topics as we are in themiddle of changing our mortgage lender.

Once I log on I think oh yes pay another debt on line