Becoming debt free is HARD WORK

elvis69

How do people stay focussed on debt repayment? I've been trying since January and it is so hard. I do ok for a month or two then I SPLURGE and ruin it. I need to stay focussed!!

Procrastination101

I feel your pain in staying motivated. Hence how I've had an account and about 700135 diaries haha


Just think of the long term benefits, that's what I'm doing. Not easy all the time though.


I just quit smoking too. It's been 2 weeks, though I am going cold turkey, I'm not actually struggling too badly. To be honest my habit was only around 20 a week, mainly during breaks at work. So now, I just don't take breaks haha probably not healthy either but just getting myself passed this 1 month, then I will brave leaving my desk without smoking :-)


You definitely sound like you're making more conscious decisions around spending which is a massive thing. Well done, keep at it!!

elvis69

Thanks procrastination (good name!). Well done on the smoking. I gave up for five years then restarted last year. Trying to stop again but it's hard. Cold turkey is brilliant! Well done. Am back to work on Wednesday so might try again then.
Glad to hear I'm not on my own with the spending. Just got to keep plugging away at it

elvis69

So my thoughts today are that my overdraft isn't going down as quickly as I'd like so I could do a cash transfer from my credit card for a fee but then it would all be in one place. Anyone any ideas?

runninglea

elvis69 wrote: »

So my thoughts today are that my overdraft isn't going down as quickly as I'd like so I could do a cash transfer from my credit card for a fee but then it would all be in one place. Anyone any ideas?

Not usually a good idea as your credit card balance will be higher and you will still have the facility of the overdraft.

What % is credit card at moment? How much are bank charges?

elvis69

Thanks for the reply, bank charges are £15pm and interest free credit card. I worry I may to be as disciplined as I think though. Fee would equate to £80

Storm89

I wonder if the credit card is a good idea with it being 0% then ? Clearly I'm no expert cos I'm here in over £13k of debt after starting with £18.5k last March haha.
I really struggled with staying motivated last year but having an increase in income this year has really helped me. It's taking a long time but I had my real light bulb moment this Christmas just gone and I have stayed so focussed since then. If you have a long term plan of when you want to be debt free , it does really help because everytime you splurge you can think how it's adding another month or whatever to your debt free target date. Like you mentioned about going to the park , when kids are very little , it's these things that make them happy. I've got into my mess through booking holidays so this year we've booked one holiday to center Parcs in October half term & even though I'm incredibly tempted when walking past travel agents , I'm staying motivated! Are you on social media? A social media break does wonders so you aren't trying to keep up with Joneses. Hope the quitting smoking is going well?

elvis69

Thanks storm, love the replies. It really helps. I'm frightened to increase the CC debt, not pay it off then still have an overdraft. Have really !!!!ed it this month. Dammit. First time in 3 months and I feel like I'm back where I started.
Had a quiet day today. Did meal plan and food shop at Morrisons instead of online Waitrose. Saved £20. I've resisted not going to supermarket as I work full time with two small children, I don't ever seem to have the time. Was pleasant. So long as food is still fresh I'll do it again next week

elvis69

I really don't want to check my bank account

elvis69

NSD but my account looks awful. Stupid holiday! Made a nice lasagne this evening which everyone liked so there's a win right there!