This Duo's debt free journey

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you redo, I think I have found the right place to go, they have a drop in each day between 10-12 so I am going to pop in there next week and speak to them and see what they say.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Make sure that it is confidential DFD.

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you Hairy, It says that it is confidential on the website and I won't give out any names until I know where I stand with it all.

DebtFreeDuo

I'm still feeling very spendy at the moment, I feel like I need to have a blow out. I'm trying to keep my focus on being debt free as this feeling would be so much better than I will feel after having a blow out. This is dangerous because I am going with my mum later today to help her with the nectar double up. We have made a deal where if either of us want more money for a particular section then we will trade our points, if she doesn't use her clothing allowance then I will trade for this, this way I can have a mini blowout and it effectively hasn't cost me anything.

I have started the sealed pot challenge so anything I make from sales and PA is going in there, I am trying to tell myself that when I open this I will use some of it to spend on myself as the majority (if not all) of my debt will be gone at this point. I think I will split it so that 50% goes to my house deposit savings, 25% goes to DS savings and 25% to treat both me and DS.

I do believe that debt busting is only possible if you allow yourself some treats along the way, I will need to have a think about this and come up with some ideas to help prevent having a blowout.

ladymay

I'm with Pauline on your mindset changing - you have thought about the 0% card, but you didn't make the mistake you would have previously, I'd consider that to be an achievement so good on ya

I hope you find a resolution and some peace of mind about the college issue. You're entitled to feel aggrieved about how you were treated by your lecturer. And please remember how you turned it around and helped your peers when they were in the same position as you...

Re: the pots - I'm the same. I have to watch EVERY. SINGLE. PENNY to make progress, and right now I have three spreadsheets which help me keep track of everything. I also agree on the treat front, you do need them. One of the things I did at uni was book in treats at the beauty college down the road - I think a 30-minute massage was £7 or less (this is going back a decade, mind) and had the added bonus of physically distressing as well.

Have a wonderful weekend DFD x

117pauline

The nectar double up is a bit of temptation isn't it? I managed to get about 4000 points when they had the free points on a £10 spend. However I can't really justify buying although I might get a couple of bottles of taste the difference wine if I get there.

If you speak to someone at Uni, I would go with a list of your points as well as what you want them to do. You are a customer and as such you should expect a certain level of education.

Regular checks will help you as then you will be able to see how far you've come. Treats are vital though. You are doing all the hard work so you deserve occasional treats to keep you going. I am convinced that impulse shopping is all down to our emotions and external forces such as being tired, someone is rude or short with you etc etc.

Take care
Pauline

DebtFreeDuo

Thank you both, I will update next week on the lecturer thing.

Feeling quite proud of myself today, I returned the top I bought myself yesterday and exchanged it for 2 Christmas presents! I had to put £2 towards it but 2 more presents out of the way and less to feel bad for. I still had some shoes out of it so still feel like I have treated myself.

Willowtree222

I agree about the treats too. We went to the markets today and didn't restrict ourselves massively.

Good luck with the lecturer next week. x

HairyHandofDartmoor

I agree that you need a little treat every now and again to prevent a blow out. This is why I go to the shops every Saturday morning and treat myself to a gorgeous latte and a second hand book or two. It's a cheap treat but it stops me feeling deprived and I look forward to it all week .

You're doing really well and when you're debt free you will feel fabulous and all the hard work and sacrifices will be worth it. Trust me!

Willowtree222

I never thought of second hand books as a way to spend, but not feeling that you are spending. x