Champagne supernova’s debt free to savaholic diary

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hi @ChampagneSupernova36, just read through your diary. You are being incredibly tough cutting back so much, I can understand the desire completely. Is it worth trying to build in a little room in the budget to do something nice? Or working out some things you would enjoy doing which are free in your local area? May help time move along! You are making amazing headway!

Lonelygambler

^ 

Good idea! 

ChampagneSupernova36

Aimingforthegoodlife said:

Hi @ChampagneSupernova36, just read through your diary. You are being incredibly tough cutting back so much, I can understand the desire completely. Is it worth trying to build in a little room in the budget to do something nice? Or working out some things you would enjoy doing which are free in your local area? May help time move along! You are making amazing headway!

This is such a lovely suggestion, with this type of thing in mind, I got myself 2 free coffees this week with my loyalty points as well as a free sandwich at boots ! These are only little, tiny victories but things I’ve learnt to appreciate so much more with my budget and new mindset 

I was feeling a little down in the dumps writing my last post because time felt like it was standing still but you’re right and I need to remember how much headway I’ve made !

ChampagneSupernova36

Lonelygambler said:

You’ve come so far. It’s nearly over for you. You can do it 

Thank you , I love the uplifting vibes on this forum, it really pushes me forward when times are tough ! 

ChampagneSupernova36

Good afternoon all and happy Easter !

Ive made my direct debit for April’s DMP payment and I am still chipping away at it all. After payday, all my bills and DMP payments takes up the majority of my money but I am feeling so much more positive about it , I love to see the balance go down on my DMP and I am now well into the £2000s which just does not feel like so much of a mountain to climb.

i have been in contact with all of my creditors individually and it turns out that I actually owe more to one of my creditors than I thought !!! I projected about £42 but it is actually £154 eek but I am still on track to clear my debts on the same date.

To anyone beginning a DMP , letting your accounts default before starting is always the advice on here … yet I did not know about this forum before and the above is testament to that … the interest will add up and the lower repayments may not be clearing the balance, just paying the interest. Big lesson learnt !!

i, like many who have debts, was hasty with my DMP. At the time I had just moved into a new house in London, was juggling so many cards and loans that I didn’t stop and think and take time to consider my options , I was just so scared about not paying any more (as I already had defaults) that I thought it’d get worse ! 

I would still recommend a DMP to clear debts but definitely take your time and do your research. A couple of weeks deciding isn’t going to make a huge amount of difference in the long run… consider the interest is all !!

fortunately, my other balances are Bob on and all but two will be cleared with my most recent payment this week, the light is at the end of the very long tunnel !

Itll be another tight month with my budget but only 3 more to go phew !

best wishes all x

enthusiasticsaver

You are almost done with it.  I would want to do like you are doing and just get rid of it asap and think of it as a few months pain for a lifetime of gain.  Hopefully the lessons you have learned since starting your DMP will strengthen your resolve not to use credit again and learn the savings habit. Well done and roll on July. 

ChampagneSupernova36

enthusiasticsaver said:

You are almost done with it.  I would want to do like you are doing and just get rid of it asap and think of it as a few months pain for a lifetime of gain.  Hopefully the lessons you have learned since starting your DMP will strengthen your resolve not to use credit again and learn the savings habit. Well done and roll on July. 

It does certainly feel like a pain at times and I hate wishing my life away but I wanna shout from the rooftops ‘ROLL ON JULY’ lol x

Spendless

Hi

I can understand the feeling like it's taking an age to get to July as that's my DFD too and the last few months have felt like a slog. 

Spending to make yourself feel better is completely understandable. It's the dopamine hit you craved as you were lacking it . The high is short lived, which is why you then crave another hit (ie shopping spree). 

I'd agree with the suggestion can you give yourself some free treats to look forward to for the next few months?  

ChampagneSupernova36

Spendless said:

Hi

I can understand the feeling like it's taking an age to get to July as that's my DFD too and the last few months have felt like a slog. 

Spending to make yourself feel better is completely understandable. It's the dopamine hit you craved as you were lacking it . The high is short lived, which is why you then crave another hit (ie shopping spree). 

I'd agree with the suggestion can you give yourself some free treats to look forward to for the next few months?  

Congrats on being nearly debt free !

I allow myself one nice treat each month , that’s what really keeps be going. This month I’m going to a concert, I also was able to get a free face wash from boots today using my points and vouchers. 

I’m also a flight attendant so I’m fortunate that i am able to get away a couple of times a month , I’m just back from Tokyo and will be going to New York next week, all of my spending money there is covered as I will be working. I love New York, so always look forward to going, I spend very little there as you can just walk around and get dollar pizza slices it’s perfect !

good luck on the rest of your journey 

E x

Lonelygambler

Well done and your upcoming trips sound incredible. 

Tokyo is on my bucket list. Did you manage to see anything? 

Keep up the great work!