The long haul supporters thread...

nomorespending

recurrent-ostrich wrote: »

New bathroom and central heating -with a thermostat! (Yes, our heating is currently that old.) That's first because we won't sell the house until we've done that, then to save up enough to pay to move and then into a 4 bedroomed house before my eldest goes into 6th form -he's just started Year 7. That's the plan.

4 and a half years until 6 form - looking at your signature you'll walk it. You've already managed to bring your debt free day forward by a year - that's amazing :j - is that since last month you've managed that?

thevinternet

nomorespending wrote: »

I;m sure if you stay a regular on this site you'll be able to bring your debt free day forward..
I feel like i'm never going to be out of debt.. my challenge is consistency - i can be really focused for a few weeks then it all goes pear shaped and i disappear off this site and stick my head up my bum for a few months and pretend it isn't really that bad!! my new target is to come on here every day to keep me focussed - try and do one thing each day that helps towards getting out of debt - even if its just planning what i'm goign to do the next day.

This too has been my problem in the past, I am a bit of an 'all or nothing' person. However, I have been a good girl since July.

May I suggest joining the 'Payment a Day' thread or another daily challenge? You build up a real sense of community on there, they are great for support. Also, because I have to pay a tiny amount off my debts every day, and then have to log-in to this site every day to report it, it keeps me on track. My debts are never far from my mind, but not in a scary way, in a good way (if that makes sense!). It keeps me on the straight and narrow, plus I get a good feeling from knowing that I am actively trying to bring them down every day.

thevinternet

I dream of holidays in the sun when I am debt-free. I also dream of helping my brother to buy a flat.

recurrent-ostrich

nomorespending wrote: »

4 and a half years until 6 form - looking at your signature you'll walk it. You've already managed to bring your debt free day forward by a year - that's amazing :j - is that since last month you've managed that?

Yes, but not by paying huge amounts! We decided to add our loan to our snowball, which finishes in 2013, adding over £500 to our "budget" for debt repayments. Like others on here, I need to stick to it properly, as I've actually been an on and off member of this site since 2006, but we consolidated in 2006.....and then racked a load more debt up. This time though things are different, I'm working full time for one, so don't have time sat at home buying stuff online, and DH is onside too, so knows the plan!

Wannabefree1

So today I'm taking bets on whether my mortgage companies direct debit mandate turns up as the mandate for the secured loan. Also my pin number for my cashminder account. Can't put money in there until I can get it back out!!! Grrr!

parsniphead

recurrent-ostrich wrote: »

Does anyone plan for after they're debt free? Have spent ages today dreaming about how we'll be able to do the house up a bit and then move to a bigger house after we're debt free, which I suppose it a bit silly when we've only just started our journey, have nearly 50 grand of debt and will be paying it off for years yet, but it's nice to be able to think beyond the next umpteen years of scrimping and saving every penny to clear debts!

SIt down and breathe a sigh of relief.......then to squirrel away some cash as a buffer. I never plan to be in this situation again. It will be nice if I need something not to have to sit worrying if I can afford it.

I would also like to save for double glazing, especially today as it's really cold and wet. Windows running with condensation doesn't help with the damp in the house.

Keep warm everybody.

parsniphead

millionaire_in_training wrote: »

I dream of a fabulous new kitchen when I am debt free

That too. Mines a vile, hideous 1960's white melamine with metal trim - yuk.

recurrent-ostrich wrote: »

New bathroom and central heating -with a thermostat! (Yes, our heating is currently that old.) That's first because we won't sell the house until we've done that, then to save up enough to pay to move and then into a 4 bedroomed house before my eldest goes into 6th form -he's just started Year 7. That's the plan.

We didn't get central heating until feb 2009. I had lived in the house the previous 6 years without it. I was certainly glad of it last year. Mind you I wish I could afford to switch it on more often.:rotfl:

In_Search_Of_Me

Jenjen (296)
Welcome; good to see people chatting! Am in haste as still in my pj's but will be back later to respond; re the DMP and Lloyds they are notoriously slow...have a chat with people on the DMP thread as sure people will offer good support and advice there too!

Standingtall

Hi Wannbe. Regarding your DMP with Payplan, I started mine in October and everything has been fine so far, in fact really good. I feel quite safe and secure but still keep pinching myself when I wake up in those dark, dark middle of the night hours and realise that I do not have to panic about my credit card payment anymore!

Good luck and try not to feel alone as there is lots of support on here. These forums have been my lifeline!

nomorespending

thevinternet wrote: »

This too has been my problem in the past, I am a bit of an 'all or nothing' person. However, I have been a good girl since July.

May I suggest joining the 'Payment a Day' thread or another daily challenge? You build up a real sense of community on there, they are great for support. Also, because I have to pay a tiny amount off my debts every day, and then have to log-in to this site every day to report it, it keeps me on track. My debts are never far from my mind, but not in a scary way, in a good way (if that makes sense!). It keeps me on the straight and narrow, plus I get a good feeling from knowing that I am actively trying to bring them down every day.

Thanks thevinternet - i have thought about this but I don't think i've got a payment a day I can make, - its good advice though - I used to be on the what small things will you do today thread but because my posts are always late at night and the thread starts new every day i felt like i was just writing to myself as no one really ever responded to me - not a complaint at all just the time of day I post! if you know of any late night threads let me know- I definitly would like to be part of a regular thread to help with money saving ideas etc.

This morning my gas and electric and electric bill came through by email - i nearly cried £186 for one month!!!!!!! I'm gutted. I need to drill down and see what is more - i suspect gas because of having the heating on. I had a long chat with my OH on the phone - he got defensice first and said its because i leave lights on all the time and he goes round turngin them off after me ( i'm not sure how true this is) however after a couple of mins he apologised and said we'd work out a plan to pay it ( its due on the 12th and i only planned 120 for it! - i was hoping that would be loads!!)
So from tonight we 're going to reduce the time we have the heating on - from 7pm - 9pm each night only and for 1 hour in the morning.. we'll see how that goes.