What have you gained?

Debtfreeforever

What have you gained and learnt since you have been on a debt free journey?

Of course money helps and makes life easier, but I'm not sure whether it makes me happy, but then I have never had enough of it.

As I didn't have much money to spend I enjoy the simple thing in life, such as spending time with friends and family, going for a walk and appreciating nature and spending time on my own to reflect and meditate

What have I learnt?

Not to buy myself happy and out of feelings, still Working on emotional eating :rotfl:

Fireflyaway

I've learned there is more pleasure in saving up for something than sticking it in credit.
Emotional eating! Yep I've not cracked that one either. What have I gained from my journey? About 2 stone!

Deep_In_Debt

I've learned to enjoy free things like walks and being outside enjoying nature and the environment, which has helped with both my physical and mental health.



I've learned to shop for bargains and getting good deals. My biggest enjoyment is being in a position to save.



I've learned that money doesn't buy happiness.

Debtfreeforever

Firefly I'm glad I'm not the only one :rotfl: I guess it is hard to give up everything.

So true what you say, I would feel awful buying anything on credit anymore.

Debtfreeforever

Thank you deep in debt, so true money doesn't buy happiness. Must feel amazing being debt and mortgage free

indesisiv

I've learned that not spending money is good for your health.
Most of my debt was due to just "overliving" or more to the point over partying.
I gave up smoking and drinking and saved in the region of about £25 a day.
In order to facilitate the change I took up running as it was pretty much free. So as a side effect I lost several stone, feel much healthier and am running fairly good times for someone who only took up exercise in their 40s.

Debtfreeforever

That is amazing indesisiv! I wish I had started running, quite the opposite for me.

Working_Mum

I have to say this is a great thing to acknowledge! When we arrive here we are often feeling battered and bruised and like we will have to "give up" all the things we love to be able to afford to repay our debts!!

For me I have found it a really liberating experience to free myself from debt!! I am wiser and kinder and more tolerant as a result of cutting my cloth to my budget and working towards sensible fiscal goals and financial freedom.

I have set a good example to my children; teaching them to manage their budgets and save!

I have learned that there is real kindness in this world - simply reading these strangers supporting other strangers online, often at their darkest times, dealing with thorny painful issues with real care and kindness in a non-judgmental way.

I have learned that having things dos not mean "wealth"

I have learned that I am resilient and can achieve ace things even from an absolute rock bottom!

I have learned that I love being frugal and living a life which does no harm: as I get older this resonates more I am afraid!

Thank you for asking this question as it made me count my blessings and write them down!

Bellisima

I have found saving money gives me a buzz, much more that spending it! Through MoneySavingExpert I have made some huge savings, which then gives me more money in my pocket. My most recent saving was new mobile phone sim deals for both me and my husband, saving us over £500 a year. However, I agree that family and nice friends are what matters, not the size of your house and car. I like nice stuff, as we all do, but spending and getting into debt can mean something is missing in your life? Do more freeish stuff - walks, seeing friends and family, watching a good movie is so much more rewarding.

Debtfreeforever

So true Bellisima, thank you for sharing. Excessive spending can be a void filler for sure

*snow*white*

This is a really good post. Sometimes debt busting and LBM can feel like a punishment with the assumption that you have to deny yourself.

We have a ways to go with our debt free journey but I feel more at peace and content now than I have for a long time. We have gained control of our lives and finances. I know exactly what our incomings/outgoings and bank balances are.

We have simplified our lives a lot but are enjoying what we do more. We are not afraid of saying no to something that doesn't fit our priorities and this means we enjoy guilt free the things we do.