First Steps to Solvency

alt80

Haha yeah more lifestyle than anything else.

Its definitely the mindset that’s got me into this mess tbf. Always sheltered my wife from ‘life’ then struggle to respect her because she doesn’t get it and I’m too proud to say ‘no’. Know if I can’t sort the mindset out I’m always going to be chasing around paying for things I’ve already bought. 

This week:
1. Stick with the budget. - I have put a few things in an online shopping bag, didn’t buy, left the tab open on my computer going to leave until Friday if I still want, I’ll buy then. First time in my life I’ve not just gone straight to the checkout haha. 
2. Not spend my free time looking at cars / property rather than doing something with my family. 

3. Check yolt app everyday.
4. 4 day working week for me done an hour this morning and will do another hour later today. Yes I count that a day off. Then Tuesday - Friday aim to finish work 6.30pm. 

5. 3x workouts, 1x 5km. 6 days exercise was completely unrealistic for me lol. 

A lot of it is mindset again but my current thinking is if I can sort that the rest will follow. 

Andyjflet

Like others, I had it all too, or at least I thought I did. Six figure salary, huge house in the country, nice cars etc. Then in 2007 it all went wrong, got made redundant, divorced in 2010 and lost everything. Its taken the last 2 years to realise that I was chasing a ridiculous dream that had no substance. I want my kids and my family to love the real me. 
But I wasnt happy then, I lay awake at night worrying where the money was coming from.
I dont have much now, I earn around £50k, my debt will be gone in 2 years. My now grown up kids, my GF and my free time make me happy. I enjoy simple things. I work in finance for prestigious brands, it does nothing for me, in fact I laugh at people chasing that next car step up or chasing a dream of happiness. 

alt80

I am definitely struggling with the sleep aspect. Only happened recently but the never ending cycle of payments are making it hard to think about anything else - the facing up to it being a problem has made the stress aspect a lot worse tbf. Definitely chasing a dream too haha - nothing will ever be enough. Can't see I'm going to get to a point of being happy with what I have yet I know what I have isn't doing bad in the grand scheme of things.

I don't quite get how you can't want the stuff you're selling, think I'd be in a never ending spiral of jealousy in that job. 

Andyjflet

alt80 said:

Instant gratification and also fear if I stop I won’t start again. 

Posted in what debt free thing are you doing today but if I decide to look back on this today was the day I arranged the third car going...

Thanks. Well I’ve arranged it. The third car is now going.

This is brilliant and a big step, make sure the £700 a month saved money is being snowballed into one of your debts, if you do the smallest first there will be a quicker win and one more DD you can chalk off, thats what works for me. Less clutter in my mind. 

alt80

@Andyjflet wish I could say it's going towards paying off the debt tbh it's allowed me to balance my books and not be in a position that I'm having to use credit just to get by. 

Would certainly like to be in a position with less DDs. 

getmore4less

Instant gratification often fails.
Often short lived.
Often over paid. 
Often a waste of money not used enough 

Make a list of things you want and do price checks to see what a good price is. (pricespy, camelcamelcamel etc). 

Set a price and wait, once in range review how much you want it.

How often does stuff arrive and sit in the Amazon box for ages? 

Andyjflet

alt80 said:

@Andyjflet wish I could say it's going towards paying off the debt tbh it's allowed me to balance my books and not be in a position that I'm having to use credit just to get by. 

Would certainly like to be in a position with less DDs. 

Thats fine, there will be a time when this will happen, mine is now on a smaller scale but I cant tell you how good the feeling of getting your paycheck and being to allocate it out, every month I'm paying down debt, and the final stage will be knowing that all the money I have earned that month is mine except for living expenses.
I think you have turned this into a project, you seem driven in your focus, business etc and I'm sure you will smash this. I'm looking forward to following this interesting journey. 
When are BCA coming BTW ?

rugbymadfamily

alt80 said:

@Andyjflet wish I could say it's going towards paying off the debt tbh it's allowed me to balance my books and not be in a position that I'm having to use credit just to get by. 

Would certainly like to be in a position with less DDs. 

But that's ok - you're not using it to pay down debts...but it means you are no longer accruing more!

alt80

@getmore4less all too often unfortunately. 

Starting to think you’re right. I’ve been a fool putting my business interests behind my personal insecurities. 

The items are still sat on my computer if I buy I buy but it won’t be until Friday and until I’ve considered if it’s something I need or not. Thanks.

@Andyjflet thanks. It’s a week on Tuesday. Not gonna lie I want to rescind but I’m not going to. 

Project yes I suppose it is project sort yourself out haha.

@rugbymadfamily thanks that’s definitely a weight off my mind and a step in the right direction.

alt80

Well I shouldn’t do this to myself on a Monday night but had a bit too much to drink lol. 

Nothing bought so that’s a win. 

Bit of a celebration 🍾 wife has decided she ought sell the excess bags etc after all and has seen her first lot of money from the nails not paid for the moet but oh well. Think it was yesterday’s discussion. Drive in the range (still same tank of petrol so that’s a win) £12 spent on coffee / lunch. Happy with that. No shops!

Back to reality tomorrow 5 vals joy. 🤣