Its time to come clean

Determined

Yep - I come on here as much as I can and read other's stories to keep me motivated and also to pull myself up if I'm about to...or have just spent money I didnt need to.

It is hard but as you say it's for your future so keep trying xx

InTheRed

Hi Martin,

Motivation!?!
Hmm well I am a regular on these boards and love to read peoples sucess stories really helps to keep me (kinda) on track.
The important thing is we all have bad moments, where we have had a splurge and later regret it, but we have to learn to forgive ourselves and get back on track asap. The alternative is to go into denial and whip up a larger debt!

Getting involved in some of the challenges is a good source of inspiration/commitment. I am doing the make £10 a day in November challenge and have done the grocery challenge a couple of months ago.

doodledo_2

This board is a huge motivation to me. The days I come on here and read peoples stories I am so much more in control of my finances. I stepped away from the boards for a few weeks and didn't think about money and needless to say my debt didn't shift at all.

I think seeing people paying off their debts and their DFD getting closer is so motivating and makes you realise that you can do it.

Its nice to know you are not the only person in your situation as sometimes being skint and in debt can feel so lonely.

You are definately in the right place

Dumb_Blonde_3

Hi Martin,

Welcome to the board. Keep a spending diary - write everything down in there and that way you can see exactly where your money is going.

Also there is a phase (I can't remember it exactly - maybe someone else can remember it) - its something like 'Can I afford it? Do I need it? Will I use it' etc just think of that phase before buying something. I wish I could remember it exactly.

Way back in the day when I had my first lightbulb moment - I was so tight I wouldn't even buy a newspaper and I love my newspapers - I used to wait until my husband came home with the free London papers. Just silly lilttle things that can make a difference.

The most important thing is to visit this site - daily and even WHEN you have become debt free - always always dip in here every now and again - I'm sure thats how I got us into debt for a second time this year after being debt free for several years .............. but onward and upward - I've only myself to blame on this one and I'm going all out to be debt free hopefully by christmas this year if not new years - and if that means really cutting down on xmas presents then so be it. I want to go into the new year clear and free of debt - it hasn't been easy some days I can tell you ............. like timing it right at Tesco's and then finding the person with the all important 'yellow sticker' reduced to clear gun and following them around the shop (I felt like a stalker - heck I was a stalker) BUT its going to happen - I will be debt free and so will you be - just keep coming back here for the support.

Hope this helps!

pinkshoes

Martin, can I ask what you find fun about online gambling? You say you enjoy socialising, so I'm not sure what you'd see in the online gambing thing! I guess at the end of the day, you have to remember that the online gambling site wouldn't be there unless THEY made a huge profit!!

Could you not cancel the gym membership, then change your socialising i.e. do things that don't involve alcohol (calories!!), but do involve exercise? Iceskating, bowling, footy in park (Ok, take cans of lager... at least they're MUCH cheaper!).

Walk to work?!

The best thing to keep you motivated would be some sort of physical reminder of what you hope to acheive when you're debt free i.e. being able to take girlfriend out for nice meals (paid in cash!), holidays (paid in cash!), getting bank statements that don't have "overdrawn" stamped all over them!!

Pobby

Martin-word of warning-watch the gambling.Recovering ex gambler here and I work with folk that have a problem with gambling.It is so easy to get carried away with this past time.I have seen lives destroyed by this.You must stay very much in control