Can paying off your debt make you happy?

Skinnylatte

Yes it does, and the sense of acheivement, paying down that debt myself, and how I did it, will never leave me.
I now have less stress wondering how I will make ends meet, and more life choices, as I can now afford to do things I culdn't before.
I still get a buzz from a bargain charity shop find though, and use many of the tactics learned when I was on a stict budget.

[Deleted User]

Skinnylatte wrote: »

and more life choices, as I can now afford to do things I couldn't before.

Me too.

For the first time in years, I can afford to go on holidays. :cool:

Jo7S

Definitely YES! my debt resembled a telephone number, but with the help of Step Change I was debt free within 48 months. It was brutal at times, hard work, it was a process I didn't really think I could see through to the end, but I am now debt free and have been for 5 years now.

Never been happier!

sugarbaby125

Being debt free made me deeply happy and continues to make me so.

I love having choices that were not open to me before. Having savings plus enough disposable income for 'personal treats', day outs and restaurant meals also makes me happy.

Meepmeep

Yes. And a lot less stressed. I felt weighed down with it, and it killed my confidence as used to think that I was a failure for not managing money or making enough to live comfortably. I feel better I have more choices now. Unless you've been in debt people don't realise how time consuming it is to balance everything, so you don't go under. I was forever receiving tons of post and having to do balance transfers, try get money from X account to pay y etc.

lessonlearned

Yes and no......

My husband got sick and we ran up £30k of debt because he was ill for 9 years.

When he died I sold the family home and cleared the debts.

I am now debt free and like others have said it's a huge relief. I can pay my way, can go on holidays etc and I dont have to worry about sudden unexpected bills.

However..........

I would happily take on £30k debt if it meant my husband was alive and well.

It's only money.

So to those still on your debt free journey. Try not to worry, you'll get there. In the meantime enjoy what you do have.

If you and your loved ones are healthy then really that's all that counts.

Mysteek

That's a brilliant post there lessonlearned, I'm with you all the way on that. It certainly puts things into perspective

MrsTinks

lessonlearned wrote: »

Yes and no......

My husband got sick and we ran up £30k of debt because he was ill for 9 years.

When he died I sold the family home and cleared the debts.

I am now debt free and like others have said it's a huge relief. I can pay my way, can go on holidays etc and I dont have to worry about sudden unexpected bills.

However..........

I would happily take on £30k debt if it meant my husband was alive and well.

It's only money.

So to those still on your debt free journey. Try not to worry, you'll get there. In the meantime enjoy what you do have.

If you and your loved ones are healthy then really that's all that counts.

I'm still on my journey and so is my husbeast - we could have been debt free by now, which in one way saddens me, but on the other hand we have things and experiences that can't be replaced... My daughter spends her sundays with me pampering a part loaned pony that costs me £25 a week, but sharing my life long love of horses with her and seeing her learn and grow and love that little pony makes it worth being in debt a little longer...

We go to Florida every 18 -24 months because my godson lives out there with my daughters god parents. We shop around, usually stay with them and try to be sensible, but again these are times we can't "catch up" when the children are older... so whilst we can easily afford to overpay on debts and still pay for holidays without using additional credit then we will.

I also tend to pay for my mums flights to come see me twice a year - it's cheaper than three of us flying to Denmark and I love having her here. Again if I was strict I wouldn't do this.

When we eventually hit DF status then it will open up a lot of possibilities - I will be able to afford possibly doing an OU degree, I never had the chance to go to uni as I just couldn't' justify going when I was that age - the first year the charges got brought in

I think because my journey has been a long one then yes I will be far happier when I have no debt (I should specify here that I don't count the mortgage and car payments in this as due to job car is something that changes regularly so it's a monthly expense for me, should anything happen it would simply be voluntarily surrendered)

lessonlearned

You are quite right Mrs Tinks.......yes you could tighten the purse string and get debt free quicker but you won't ever get back those years with your children, mother and family.

I'm sure you won't regret using the money now to spend time with them.

Sounds like you've got the balance about right.

harrycrac

My debt built up from just surviving after my husband lost his job. It took 8 years to clear the cards and only have mortgage. Yes it was a good feeling to have achieved that goal without losing the house. I know I am very strong and fiercely protective of my family and home, that was my driver. I had no help from anyone and although my husband got another job it was a lower wage. 15yrs on from that episode I am very much in charge of my finances and make my money work for me & yes I am happier. So all of you that are struggling, keep at it even slowly as the end result is so worth it.