What is Your Why ?

kitchen_buff

Why do shopping bags always fall the other way when you put them down?
Why does the phone always ring when you are just about to do something else?
Why can you sit for hours doing nothing and all of a sudden four things happen at once?

Yorkielass

I first came across MSE a few years ago when I first got into freebies (some hair brain scheme about winning/getting free things to sell on ebay I seem to remember!)

At the time I was a student and have since had a series of relatively low paid jobs and it’s always been a struggle and with MSE I can keep costs down, make extra money and get support from people.

Reading the debt diaries on here is also always an inspiration and threads about how people got into debt and I always think of them when we’re considering buying something/having a take away etc. Do I really need it etc.

I’m not in debt (apart from mortgage and student loans) but things are generally fairly close to the wire and OH and I want to have children in the next few years and would like to get a cushion behind us before that – as my OH says the baby itself is free but looking after it costs a lot!

There are about 5 boards on here that I regularly read and many more I dip into when I’m in search of advice and tips – really don’t know what I’d do without MSE these days. :money:

mummum2

Great thread! For me it's getting free of the chain around my neck 'Debts'. I'm so angry with myself for getting into some much debt. To be able to say all my salary is mine and not going to paid off debt.

Looking to be debt free in 5 year, hopefully sooner if I can throw all spare cash towards this

belfastgirl23

I found this site by accident when I was thinking a little bit about finances. For years we bumbled around living on our (reasonably good) salaries, getting into debt for Xmas and hols but always paying it off within a month or two.

But things changed. We moved house and doubled our mortgage. DH became self employed. The rates went up. The gas went up hugely. The electric went up. The mortgage went up. There was talk of bringing in water rates for the first time. Suddenly our standard living costs had increased by 100% and we were only certain of one wage. The world started looking a lot less secure.

We were fortunate. DHs business worked. We had fat in our budget to trim - insurances, cable, food - and this got us over the sticky bit. But it made me realise we were lucky. People get sick. The house needs urgent work. Interest rates go up. Reading some of the DFW stories made me really sit up and take notice. And realise for the first time quite how truly lucky we had been - we were living in a house of cards and a stronger breeze might have toppled it.

So now I'm trying to pay for Xmas and hols with savings rather than via debt. Pay a little bit extra off the mortgage. Build up a rainy day fund. Get the house in order so that if a strong wind blows, it's safe.

I'm so glad I found this site BEFORE trouble hit rather than after.

painted_lady

Good thread. I was in Australia at a friends wedding when I realised I was pregnant. The holiday cost me £3500, mostly on credit card. I didnt like the thought of bringing up a child while in a mountain of endless debt. I had my proper lightbulb moment in Nov last year. Now I have realised it isnt just about consolidating or changing to 0% deals, its actually about how you live day to day, the little things that add up. Putting a little time into finance on a regular basis makes life a whole lot easier.
I will hopefully be free of personal debt in 2008, after that, I aim to save up and visit my friends in Australia again, with child on tow, then I know I have gone full circle.

cat4772

wrote a nice (succinct) answer at work and the computer crashed the same second that I had pressed send so here goes again from home (less succinct version)!!!

I lived to my salary, paid my household bills on time up to date with mortgage etc and paid my visa off each month, had savings (not in debt but not managing my money well). On the other hand, DH had run up an overdraft, maxed out his visa, taken out a welcome finance cosolidation loan (that didn't consolidate anything) and couldn't afford the minimum payment, or his share of the bills. I'd bailed him out twice before (paying off debts for him) and I decided I wouldn't bail him out a THIRD time and that he had to repay ALL the money I'd paid towards his debts in the past (£4K)! but I needed help with budgets, then help to see where we could economise in our outgoings etc. We've put off having a child (for a couple of years) until our finances are a little less tense.

So I'm here to manage my money efficiently, to help my husband learn about finances and encourage him to budget and stick to it!

Cat.x

sammiboo

For me is I dont want to ever be in a position where I am constantly worrying about money. I dont want to be in a situation where I am in tears again feeling sick that i cant cope with my debts.

Now doing things the DFW way is really addictive and I look forward to each debt being paid off with excitment

I know i will never be rich but I want to enjoy life not worry about it :beer:

ceridwen

To sum up in one word.......employers (really must give up swearing for Lent!).

I have had a lot of job problems over the years and my job now is insecure. I want to have as little reliance as possible on having a job and am looking to have early retirement. Have come to the conclusion one doesnt need to be too concerned about income if clear of mortgage and debt and the bills have been made as low as they possibly can be.

So - I was here to start with to get rid of debt and - now that has been done - I'm still here to ensure a smooth transition to even lower income than I currently have - so I can wake up one day (asap) and my first sentence each day will be "Thank God I dont have to go into work any more".

Lemon_Tree

i started on here because once again i was under threat of redundany and was terrified. And i've decided that i'm determined to clear everything so i no long have to live in fear of losing my job. I also want to be back in control of my finances like i was when i was a student and in my first job when i earnt a pitance.

oopalah

I became a DFW because I'm due to retire in eighteen months time and I want to start my retirement debt-free (and stay that way, of course).