My debt free life starts here right now!!!!

Squiggle

Hi all DFW

It's taken me ages to work out how to use this site but now I have I'm really excited cuz I know I'm in it for the long haul.

What's your best bit of advice for life as a DFW?

I dont suppose Novembers a very good time to start with Christmas just around the corner.

I've put all sorts on ebay!!

Looking forward to chatting with you.

deaks_2

Hi
I have been in debt all my adult life until now, my advice -
THINK about whether you need it before you spend
keep you eye out for deals, 0%, gas and elec swapping etc
realise that to wait a while for something makes it more worthwhile and costs a lot less, cos you don't pay crazy interest charges!!

work out the interest you would pay and what you could spend it on, if you waited

and definately don't buy a new car - they cost thousands

life without debts is fab - just a massive mortgage to go..., but hey it is great not to have overdrafts and loans anymore, chucked away some of bank statements the other day - found one with £43 interest on the overdraft for the month! - yow - what could I have spent that on.

Wait, wait, wait, and don't spend what you can't afford, unless you are dying, in which case get as many credit cards as you can and blow the lot!

Sea78

Good luck with the ebaying A good time to be doing that before christmas when others can go mad bidding for all sorts!

Squiggle

Thanks for replying.

My biggest problem at the moment is 16 year old daughter who is costing a fortune!!!

Sea78

As a teacher of many of those 16 yr olds I am not looking forward to my two becoming teenagers!! Think I'll have to start saving now lol!

Have you sorted your budget for over Christmas? Are all your pressies sorted?

Sea xxx

deaks_2

Any time is a good time to start - November, December, whenever, it is all about what is your head

spent my life spending and shopping, now spend time saving, and it feels good, long way to go like you - the only debt now is the mortgage which is big, but overpaying and getting there

RE Christmas, try and cut down - remember all those things you can't afford don't cost a tenner - they cos a tenner plus interest - which can add up massively

Is there anyone you can't buy for this year? do you buy lots of little pressies for relatives kids - and they do the same? - if so would anyone really miss them? - I made a pact with my siblings to stop this some years ago - the kids didn't really miss out and neither did Great Aunty Flo!!

Look at the other boards, Gas and Elec, mortgage exit fees (just got back £150), telephone, SKY etc - cut down and pay things off

Re 16 year Old - what are the big costs - I have one too, mostly mobile and pocket money - yours

small steps add up to big ones

take care on the journey, am right there with you

deaks_2

Are you a Tart? - in other words do you swap and change deals - looks like you have lots of bits of debts all over - but do you swap and change for nought per cent deals? and can you? - if so try and take out the best, longest terms and try and reduce your debts by doing so, then deal with mortgage etc

Squirrel29

Hi there! Don't forget that if you still need to get Xmas pressies, sign up to Quidco and Pigsback. You will earn cash backs or points to treat yourself. I very quickly earned £30 cashback on Quidco getting things I would need anyway. I also earned a £10 boots voucher and a Odeon cinema pass on Pigback which I am using for Xmas pressies.

Karmacat

Hi squiggle

Welcome to mse! November is an excellent time to start, with lots of Christmas expenditure just coming up. If you'd like some advice, like you say in your first post, then my bit of advice is, post up your soa, lets see how everyone can help you - go to the first post at the top of the thread to see how to lay it out, so people can read it easily. Good luck, and keep posting!

postingalwaysposting

hello squiggle and welcome to mse, as everyone says christmas doesnt have to stop or be a bad time beacuse you have had your lightbulb momment. You just need to look at ways to make what money you have avalible go further.

As for my tip of being a dfw, i would say dont cut out all of your treats ~ if its a bottle of wine a week of a monthly mag then still have that. If you deny yourself everything you will crave it then you will go out and spend loads ~ well if you are anything like me you will :rotfl: