How do you lot keep yourselves motivated while in debt?

Be kind to yourself - you've made a big lifestyle change and deserve a pat on the back for that.

I started a scrapbook and glued pictures in that made me smile. It doesn't have to be things you want to acquire when you're debt free - just places, things, situations that make you feel better. It doesn't matter what it looks like, you're the only one who is going to see it.

So long as we are aware of our money and where it's being spent, then we don't need to focus all the time on our situation. It kills our creativity - lift your thoughts and who knows what ideas you may come up with to do something different.

You are not alone - promise. x

Hi there

To stay motivated keep logging onto this site - it's a real lifesafer. I've learnt so much, laughed at the jokes and had tears in my eyes at some of the stories esp Moozie's.

Don't be hard on yourself. Give yourself a big pat on the back. You are only 25 with your whole life ahead of you and already you have learned a very valuable lesson about money managing. Stick to your goals and you will reap the benefits.

In the meantime give yourself the odd little treat - they needn't cost much. A long soak in a nice warm bath, a few diy beauty treatments, a girly "night-in" with your friends, a good book (from the library of course), an uplifting or funny film always cheers me up - something fluffy like "Legally Blonde" or "Clueless" does it for me.

I've started sewing again and "making & doing" arty/crafty things - very relaxing and helps me stop worrying as much.

Don't know who posted it but the scrap book idea sounds great.

Best of luck!!!

One thing that brings me out of my doldrums is to do something for someone else - even something tiny like help them with something, call them when you know they are having a hard time, anything that pulls me out of myself.

It feels really good to help others, and it reminds me that money is NOt the be-all and end-all, that haveing friends and life and love and family is so much more important, and it also reminds me that I HAVE friends and family who love and care for me very much, and that humbles me and makes me feel valued.

Blimey! I'm crying now!! Getting soft in my old age.

But honestly, it makes me realise how much I HAVE got, even if it isn't money, I have so much wealth in other things, and that pulls me through the dark times.

Just a quickie as I haven't got time to read the whole thread at the moment.

I'm 24 and have credit card debts - admittedly nowhere near as large as yours, and quite small by many peoples' standards, but large to me. I kept them secret from my husband for ages - he knew I had cards, but didn't know how much.

When I 'came clean' to him it was such a huge weight from my shoulders. I still owe money (debt free by July), but just having his support has helped so much when I feel down.

You said you didn't want anybody to know, but it could help to confide in somebody who won't judge you? My husband knows my 'me-spending' budget, and keeps an eye on me. He will stop spending money himself so I don't feel I have to keep up with him, if you see what I mean. He makes sure I've made my monthly payment, and checks how much to see if I've cheated.

It is hard, granted, and can feel like a bit of a prison sentance sometimes. Especially being so young. But the feeling that I will be debt free soon is worth all that.

Hang on in there!

IWILLSORTMYDEBTSOUT! - you're actually rather lucky (believe it or not) because you've had this experience whilst you are still young. There's loads to learn, and what you find out will be fantastic skills for the rest of your life. I've only really started to get to grips with money at a far more advanced age (I'm 327 next birthday) and I really wish I had started getting things sorted out much earlier. At this rate, I might just get things sorted before I retire. A big motivator for me is learning all the stuff I really had no idea about before - like using credit cards properly, paying off your debts before you start trying to put loads into savings, shopping around for cheaper mortgages, how to make your teabags last that bit longer, etc., etc.

If you use this site you'll find loads of people who are - or have been - in very similar positions to yourself, and will have plenty of advice to help.