My Intentional Journey to Debt Freedom

EssexHebridean

Thanks SA! 

Yes - anything that can be shifted to 0% is definitely a win. The trick now is to set yourself a diary note for 3 months time to check again and see what you might be showing eligibility for - then consider making a further application to get some more shifted at that stage. That allows time for the search from this time’s success to have less of an impact and means you are more likely to be accepted than if you applied again right away.

I’m really glad the approach worked for you though - it’s something Martin is quite vocal about - even a 10% chance means that for every 10 people in your position who apply, one of them will be accepted - and frankly it’s more likely that “it could be you!” than winning the lottery which also uses that slogan! 😁

Less_Talk_and_More_Action

Thanks so much for the diary link @Sun_Addict.  Another one to add to my list - I have several to catch up on including yours.  Next weekend is my diary reading weekend as we have nothing else on.
Thank you @EssexHebridean You are so right.  I will see what I get from this one and then go from there.  On the same theme, even if the credit limit was only 20% of my balance, that's still 20% interest saved.  I just hadn't really broken it down like that.  Also,  I have had my Bcard for over 35 years and so just generally stick with it (ridiculous really as they don't have any loyalty to me....).

It's so great to have this support and prior knowledge - really motivating.  Thank you both again.

L x 

Sun_Addict

I love how you can pick up ideas from different diaries then adapt to suit. I’ve been around on this site for donkey’s years and picked up so many fantastic tips along the way. When Mr SA was extremely poorly just over 10 years ago the people on here were super supportive and helped me through a very bad time. 

foxgloves

Yay! Your pots are filling up & you are swiftly seeing the benefits of Personal Spends in terms of how they make you prioritise. Yes, of course I can have a cappucino & warm cheese scone every time I am in striking distance of a cafe......but if I need make-up, conditioner or cleanser, or want a new book, magazine or whatever, then tough banana!
F x

Blackcats

I can sympathise about work trips, travel and hotel stays.  

When I was still enduring nights away for work I got to the point of enjoying being in my hotel room - taking nice coffee or hot chocolate with me and some chocolate if required (it was always required).  You could even take a mini bottle of wine with you if that's your tipple.
i would spend the evening reading diaries on here, listening to my book or watching a tv show I'd downloaded that I knew my OH wouldn't like.  I tried to spend no more than my evening meal allowance which was a bit of a challenge with restaurant prices but as someone said it shouldn't be costing us for the dubious pleasure of spending time away from our home.

You are right to focus on little incremental wins because they do add up and they are sustainable.  I look at myself now and can't believe how different I am regarding money - I'm still a work in progress but taking the slow it steady route is so worth it.

Less_Talk_and_More_Action

Happy Monday everyone.  Hope you are all coping in the cold weather.  

Thanks @Blackcats.  That’s a great idea re the food and the hotel.  You can probably hear the sound of me banging my head on the wall as to why I’ve never done that before 🤣🤣.  I tend to move (lemming like) to whatever restaurant is attached to the hotel and often the food is not great.  So that’s a plan - I have a work card so can do anything up to the limit.  

I have cancelled my gym membership as I am just not using it - I am the eternal optimist and obviously am only inches away from going 5 times a week but as that hasn’t happened for a while it’s going.  We do have a bike and gym equipment at home so I have options.   

Small habits are building - personal spends definitely focused our minds at the weekend and we chose not to spend when I think we might have done previously.  

I think of Atomic Habits and the approach of acting like the person you want to be.  So if you act as someone who manages money well you will become that person.  This seems a good approach to me (also trying to think like a slim person….).  I really like Atomic Habits but have reluctantly (🤣) conceded that in order to gain something from the ideas I might have to do something!  This is part of the intention aspect of my journey. 

Lots to ponder.  

Stay warm everyone.  

L x 

PennysIntoPounds

Great decision to cancel gym membership especially as you have exercise options at home.
Is it a monthly fee? How will you allocate the saving? 

Less_Talk_and_More_Action

Okay @PennysIntoPounds.   I’ll say this quickly so when you fall off your chair in shock it hopefully doesn’t hurt too much. £80 per month 😱😱.  It will be going straight off the credit card. 

A big sigh from here - just another thing that I have let slide.  I think this is my whole purpose in terms of wanting to be intentional.  I have a habit of not thinking too much about spending- whether impulsive one off purchases or leaving a gym membership months when I’m not using it and know (from past history) that I likely won’t use it.  

Some of the gym stuff is related to weight loss - in my head I know that small consistent changes losing a pound a week would get the weight off over time.  But it’s as though being in the gym, paying for slimming club membership etc etc is enough to lose weight.  I don’t seem to have grasped that I need to actually DO the actions - who knew 🤷‍♀️.  So that’s another area I’m trying to be intentional as well. 

Probably for another post but, for me, the weight and spending are definitely linked.  

Well done if you’ve read all this.  

L x 

PennysIntoPounds

£80 a month for clearing the credit card is brilliant, what a mse boost!

Even annoyingly perfect people let gym memberships slide so don't put unnecessary guilt on yourself. You've realised you're not making the most of that money so have made an intentional decision to use it elsewhere to help meet your goals. You're doing great.

Completely get what you're saying about weight loss and spending, I doubt there's anyone on here or in general who doesn't have inextricably linked challenges. You're not alone and it's not a personal failing on your part- we've all been bombarded since childhood with messages from companies who spend a lot of money making sure those messages work, telling us that a certain purchase is going to be transformative.

And it's even harder to disentangle ourselves from that when so many basic things, like having a secure roof over one's head, or paying gas and electric bills, are such nonsensical amounts that why shouldn't a membership or outfit or perfume or subscription or candle be magical, makes as much sense as what we have to pay to survive. 

Sorry for ranting on your diary 😁
You genuinely are doing great though, don't worry about what has been spent, keep rejoicing in realising you don't want it to be that way anymore, and focusing on what brings value to your life, like clearing debt and feeling secure and well x

jwil

Don't beat yourself up about past decisions, we've all done it!  At least you've got a new £80 a month to send to your CC!