I hope this continues

livingbeyond

I posted for the first time on here this week after actually adding up my total debts. Anyone who didn't read my previous posts, it totalled approx £27k. Anyway, 1st week, here are my achievements.

1) Sorted out all my financial paperwork, I now know exactly all the details of the people I am paying.

2) Snowballed for the first time, hopefully debt free in 60 months!

3) Made changes to some of the things we dont really need. Cancelled my Sky tv subscription, saving £44 per month.

4) Contacted my mortgage company to arrange getting a new deal on a fixed rate mortgage instead of the variable rate that I was on, saving £60 month.

I know this doesnt seem much, but I feel it shows I am commited to getting out of the situation I am in. Thanks to everyone who posted replys and messages of support. I just hope this enthusiasm continues.

LivingBeyond

benbenandme

Well done, thats some big money saved there over the course of the next few years :T :T :T What are your plans for this week?? Have you switched gas/elec suppliers ?? Joined Quidco ?? Signed up to mystery shopping sites?? I reckon its a good idea to have a plan for the week ahead, you've inspired me to go and write my own list of jobs for thisweek, thank you!!

Karmacat

Hi livingbeyond

Good for you! You've just made available over £100 a month! Thats seriously good news, gives you a lot of money to throw at your debts immediately. The second thing that struck me, reading your post and the title of your thread, is that you *hope* it will continue. It will if you want it to and keep coming onto the boards here! It can be pretty lonely doing this all on your own, so I'd really encourage you to keep posting, find other ways of bringing a bit in - as I've just posted on another newbie thread, read the diaries and see how people cut down their spending further - not by cutting their standard of living necessarily - and earning bits here and there. But you've made a fantastic start, whatever else you do, well done.

SarahNeedle1872

Hi LivingBeyond

Well done for the first few steps..... £100 a month extra is nothing to be sniffed at! That's a great start! I'm sure it will continue for u, just keep looking for ways to save/earn. As benben said, look at switching utilities, join cash back site like Quidco/TopCashback etc, and see what u can find in the house to sell on Amazon/eBay/Greenmetropolis etc..... I've sold quite a bit of stuff, and hardly even noticed that its gone.... and there's more space in the house! Just gotta find a buyer for OH now

I also found that joining a challenge was a good motivational tool... theres 'easy' ones like Change Jar, Unnecessary Challenge or £2 savers, or theres ones where you actually have to work at it, like the Olympic Challenge or Lucy's pay off by Xmas..... I think Madmonkeys Pesky Debt Challenge is still going too...? Have a look around, and see what u fancy.

Most importantly, keep posting, cuz u'll get loads of support and advice during those times when ur not quite as motivated/enthused (unfortunately those times come occasionally to most of us!)

Good Luck

Sarah x