I think it is time!

skint_spice

If you go to the docs can't they give nicorette or similar on prescription? maybe a months supply for the basic prescription charge? depends on the area but most are quite helpful. Good luck though, I did it years ago after reading Alan Carr's book - might be available through your library.

Heffi1

Well it has been a few days now and I thought I had better check in with myself to keep on track. I want 2008 to be the year it all changes for me and the family.

They are already sick of me talking about this site and money saving ways :rotfl: oh well as I told them you will get used to it or else we starve - a bit of exaggeration goes a long way sometimes lol!

The bad news - I am still smoking bad Heather!!! :o

The good news - My sister and I who fell out before Christmas have made up and have been making papier mache pigs for the sealed pot challenge. I have introduced her to MSE and I think she is starting to have a mini LBM :T so that is great news as I think we are probably in the same boat financially.

I do hope everyone has a peaceful new year and that all your hard money saving works well for you.

I will promise myself to come on here and update more regularly and hopefully see the balances go down quickly. I find myself reading all of the other diaries that I sometimes forget how important it is to keep my one up to date so that I can see a time-line and this will help to motivate me along the rocky road.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL

tealady

Hello. As an ex smoker I know how hard it is to give up. Have you tried putting the money aside each day into an interest bearing account them once a month use the money you have saved to put towards your most costly debt (if you are really organised you could do it daily!)
It might encourage you to keep off them.
I found quitting a bit easier when I could see a result (my savings increasing monthly)

barron_hard_up

Hi Heather,

How's it going? I do sympathise with you giving up smoking, nicotine is more addictive than heroin and is no easy thing to deal with. Back in the eighties, my late grandmother wanted to give up smoking. She visited a doctor who practiced hypnosis. I want to stress here that this was a proper Doctor, who was medically qualified etc. After two sessions of hypnosis, my grandmother never touched another cigarette in her life, she had been quite a smoker up until that point. The fee per visit then was £25, so it wouldn't be cheap today, but offset against the cost of the ciggarettes it might work out to be an investment.

Just another comment, and I know each one of us are in different situations regarding family etc. If my own wife had a problem like you have just now, I would want to know. Purely and simply so I could help her in anyway possible, even if we had been through this before. Is there anychance you could bring your husband on board with this? Even if all you get is understanding and his support in your efforts?

Good luck to all DFW's and happy new year.

Heffi1

barron_hard_up wrote: »

Hi Heather,

How's it going? I do sympathise with you giving up smoking, nicotine is more addictive than heroin and is no easy thing to deal with. Back in the eighties, my late grandmother wanted to give up smoking. She visited a doctor who practiced hypnosis. I want to stress here that this was a proper Doctor, who was medically qualified etc. After two sessions of hypnosis, my grandmother never touched another cigarette in her life, she had been quite a smoker up until that point. The fee per visit then was £25, so it wouldn't be cheap today, but offset against the cost of the ciggarettes it might work out to be an investment.

Just another comment, and I know each one of us are in different situations regarding family etc. If my own wife had a problem like you have just now, I would want to know. Purely and simply so I could help her in anyway possible, even if we had been through this before. Is there anychance you could bring your husband on board with this? Even if all you get is understanding and his support in your efforts?

Good luck to all DFW's and happy new year.

Hi everyone thanks for the comments. Baron my husband does know about my debt and he is very supportive - he knows what I am like inside and out we have been married now for 24 years so next year I would love to be able to do something special for our anniversary. What makes me really mad with myself is that at the beginning we were very poor as he had CSA payments to make to his first family, so naturally we did not have the income that we have today. I and hubby then spoiled the children when we did become comfortable to make up for the hard times when they were little. One consolation from this is that my son says he will never own a credit card or buy anything with credit as he saw how difficult it was for us back then.

Stupidly I have fallen into the trap again, but this time I am determined to pull myself out of it.

I am really inspired with other people's diaries and how they are managing what is a difficult time. Well done to everyone.

I will make it and as a start to the new year I have redone my snowball as there were a few things I had missed off. I have phoned around and asked for all the balances as they stand today 31st December 2007 so that next new years eve things will be so much more positive.

This site is very addictive and I find myself on here everyday now, so thanks must go to the wonderful Martin for starting this and also congratulations to Martin and the MSG for the news of their engagement may your life together bring you much happiness.

Happy new year everyone

Heather.:beer:

bank_of_slate

Hi,

Try to clear that store card off as quick as you can. it's such a high interest rate!

As each card is cleared, there will be more free to clear debts on the others. Always aim for the highest APRs first.
...Linda xx

Heffi1

Hi Linda,
Thanks I have re-looked at all the debt today in order to get myself into gear so to speak. The store card has to go along with catalogues, there is only about £150 on them so I think I may get rid of them first as a sort of mental boost IYSWIM - onwards and upwards I hope.

Heather.

bank_of_slate

Look at my picture Heffi <

---

You could make a collage out of yours!
martin should do a comp for the best cut up card photo!
...Linda xx

serena

Dear Heather,

just come across your thread. Well done on trying so hard to cut down on the smoking.

I wondered if you knew about the Change One Thing campaign that Boots have just relaunched? There is a series of little booklets in store, and one of them is giving up smoking. There are money off vouchers, and lots of helpful tips.

I successfully quit a 20 a day habit 18 years ago,on my own, but was highly motivated, as I wanted to have a baby! I cut down on the number each day, then at 5 a day, stopped smoking at work. Then two weeks later, at 3 a day, threw out everything in the house that was associated with smoking, and stopped altogether. It was a bit hard going for three days, but after that, fine. I chose to do it over the Easter weekend, back when shops actually closed for Easter Day and the bank holiday Monday, so there was no way I could get hold of any cigarettes!

Happy New Year!

Heffi1

bank_of_slate wrote: »

Look at my picture Heffi <

---

You could make a collage out of yours!
martin should do a comp for the best cut up card photo!
...Linda xx

Linda,

That is cool I actually put mine through the shredder about two weeks ago so :T to me.

Serena, that is really good advice I will give it a try and let you all know how I get on. I need to publicly say I am giving up or I will keep on finding excuses to carry on. There are a million reasons to stop and not one to carry on.

Heather.