How To Stay Motivated On Your Own?

dieselv2

Between me and my wife we had £16,000 outstanding at top of the year. I've not had a LBM I've always had an issue with havingdebt and always like my experian score at 999 with never a late payment for like 9 years. Unfortunately 2015 was a bad year with maxing out cards for mother in laws funeral to not having a job, went on DMP and now trying to sort it out.

I want it gone and to pay it off but she's not bothered and got the whole 'let them try, they can't take money we haven't got' How do you stay focused with an attitude like that?

We've had many a conversation that ends with 'Leave my debts just sort yours'. We're married so everything is joint (even though debts aren't in joint names).

The old wives tail of debtors prison didn't work haha.

tacpot12

Clear the debts that are in your name first. This will help you feel you are making progress. Then start saving money. Whatever your wife does or doesn't do about the debts in her name will be simplified if you have some money put aside.

To keep motivated, keep a diary of the debt you have cleared and look at it regularly. Tell yourself that if can repay x once you can repay x again. In a couple of months, you will have some concrete evidence that debts can be reduced.

Good luck - it's a great feeling to have cleared your debts. I went from £12000 debt + a £10k mortgage to zero debt and no mortgage in 7 years.

Ellieseleven

I had several credit cards which I had held for many years, always paid on time, kept well under the limits etc. etc. until my OH's business hit hard times and our income was cut in half. Between 2008 and 2010 I struggled along paying minimums and having nothing left out of my salary. Eventually we went down the DMP route and my OH has shown no interest throughout.

At the beginning of March we will be debt-free after paying back over 46k and OH's attitude is still "I don't see how going on a DMP has made any difference". I've long since given up trying to explain reasons why and have just got on with paying back the mountain of debt.

To keep myself motivated I have always set myself mini milestones along the way. These have been realistic and attainable in relatively small amounts of time so that I felt as though I was getting somewhere. In the beginning I didn't look at the whole amount (it was too scary) so broke it down into smaller chunks e.g. 10k paid back, % paid, amount paid over 1 year etc.

I use a spreadsheet so I can keep track of how much further to go and how far I have come. I also use YNAB (You need a budget) which helps keep me on track with spending.

Keeping a diary on here also helped and from time to time I go back to the beginning and read just how bad things had become.

OH just buried his head in the sand and didn't acknowledge that something needed to done. He left me in control of any credit cards in his name which did make it easier to sort out.

It's been a bumpy ride at times and I'm happy to be at the end of it but the difference it will make to my life is immeasurable.

I wish you well

Ellie x