Faced my debts, now how to stay motivated to pay them off??

MidsHollie

Oh, I also meant to say, I’m sure it would be helpful if your spouse and your kids were on board too (at least to an age appropriate level). Tackling something as a team means that you’ll work together, rather than you having to deal with conflicting priorities

MasterG83

Agree with everyone above, get rid of the credit cards, at the very least give one to a trusted family member and use it for total emergencies only, for example, its not part of the Dave Ramsey plan, but if my daughter was travelling and I needed to get her home, until I've got cash surplus then this is what I would do. Once my funds are built up I will ditch that very last card I have. 

blah1234

I have found reading others stories really helps. And making sure if you do fall off the wagon a bit, get right back on it. Time spent wallowing is time you could spend on getting rid of debt for a better life.

TryingAgain2022

I found switching my various credit card payments from direct debit to a standing order helps - that way the payment doesn't reduce as the outstanding amount reduces so you are always paying off.
I also made a spreadsheet which worked out how long it would take me to pay it ALL off and like you it was AGES. But then I thought, OK, but at that date I WILL be so much better off every month, and it's motivated me - not put anything on CC this year so far! Amazing for me!
And those two things together have meant I can see my total debt reducing over the months. And THAT is keeping me motivated.
One other thing which helped me - it sounds stupid when I say it but - working out my total fixed spend per month (rent/car payment/cc payment etc) and dividing anything left by 4.5 to give me my week's budget for food, fuel etc. That was a real eye opener. Previously I'd been going, Oh, I have 200 for the rest of the month yay but then spending every week like it was 200 a week.
Just money blindness I guess, which is what got me into trouble the first time. (and the second and third times... debt has been my life for 20 years)

good luck. Stay on here and check out the What small DFW things... weekly thread. it gives you ideas and gets you into small good habits.
-TA2022
PS Guess when my debt free date is. Go on just guess. Yes the clue's in my name AGES AWAY!!! But it's Ok I am getting there.

Mrs_Z

Hi there OP

35 months sounds like a long time when you put it like that.  My advice would be to divide this into a smaller milestones and mainly focus on those whilst only keeping the other eye loosely on the final goal.  Thirtyfive months is under 3 years – and totally achieveable.  Why not make a target that by the end of year 1 you will have paid off 1/3 of your total, 2/3 second year and 3/3 on year 3?  You can then set up a smaller 6 monthly / quarterly check points to see if you are on track.

 Somehow you will need to learn to get the buzz out of paying OFF your debts (instead of spending), taking control of your debts and seeing the total reduce!   It’s not easy though, especially what has been going on in your life and it’s easy fall off the wagon when you’ve had a bad day.  That said, like others have commented, you should have a small budget also for treats or rewards.

 My advise would be to start small  instead of getting overwhelmed by the whole situation.  Start by doing little things knowing that every small step will lead towards your final big goal.  There are many good threads here in the forum and I’d also recommend to join them – to make yourself accountable, but also for mutual support, ideas etc. One of my favourites is What small things have you done today…? Which is brilliant. Good luck on your journey.  You can totally do this.  And we want to see an update how you're getting on!