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Original poster

Debt Free 2009

119 replies

grouchyoscar · 31/12/2008 11:35

Anyone fancy doing one this year?

I've found it rather helpful/inspirational TBH. On the last day of 2008 I've managed to stay in the black and squirel a tiny bit towards 2009.

I can see things being much tougher in 2009 so lets pool our tips/idea/etc togther and get through it on mass.

Even a credit crunch can't get Mumsnetters eh...well HTH

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 00:25

no, we're getting on ok now, but not getting back together - no way. We nearly split at the start of 2007, but tried to make another go of it. Wasn't to be. We're both much happier now, as are the DS's - they accepted it really quickly - and I'll never forget the day we told them exH was moving out.

We both explained it to them, and told them "there would be no more arguments" - DS1 understood that we wouldn't be together anymore and was a little sad, but as soon as we said that his face lit up and he beamed like there was no tomorrow........

moondog · 02/01/2009 00:26

Oh well it's great that you can support each other as parents.
Your boys seem so lovley.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 00:29

yes, despite his many faults, he's always been a good dad, and that hasn't changed since we split up. He's only had a place on his own since December (so not even a month yet) but he's had them to stay overnight almost since he moved out -

And what does make me smile is how much DS3 adores him, and how much he dotes on DS3.....I think fallen pg with him was what sparked the end (althogh I think it would have come anyway, just perhaps not quite so soon) for us but I love watching both their reactions when he comes to pick them up

fortyplus · 02/01/2009 00:36

I think that if you had a very negative/destructive relationship but can be civil and supportive of each other now that you're apart then it's got to be best for everyone. What a shame the rest of your family doesn't see that.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 00:45

indeed forty.

Anyhoooooooooooooo...all this talk of failed marriages and crap families is so "last year". [fwink

This year is all about new starts (eeek new home! and becoming an OU student!! ) and clearing our debts

poetmum · 02/01/2009 01:46

Glad you started this thread GoldFAQ! May I stick around for moral support and encouragement? We've been debt free for awhile. (Except, of course, the mortgage.) But, we're working on cutting back even further to maximize what we are making. Our goal this year is to save 20% of our income. (Hoping the belt tightening actually slims me down for real!)

To just chime in - I'd actually attack anything with interest first. Interest accrues over time. Family relationships shift, change, progress - but it's not actual money going out of your pocket.

My Dad used to always say, "friendship is friendship, but, business is business." Good motto. Your business right now is debt attack. Two years ago, I paid a loan back to my father from when I was 29 years old. (I'm 44.) I just sent a check with the year of the loan in the memo section. He was tickled pink. And even though we have an excellent relationship, for some reason it got even better! He never expected me to pay him back and he didn't care if I did or didn't. But, for me it was the responsible, honourable and right thing to do. It was a gesture. (He doesn't need the money and I could sure have used it for something different.) But, it was the right time to do it.

To finally get to a point - maybe after you are settled, have attacked the real debt monsters and are finding some peace in your new place, the gesture of repayment will begin something new with your family.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 01:50

it wasn't me that started it

Of course you can stick around.

I know I have to tackle the interest debt first, but as for "friendship if friendship" - friendship my arse, more like bloody thorn in my side for the last 11 months or so........

poetmum · 02/01/2009 01:55

Ooops - sorry GrouchyOscar. Anyway - seems like a great thread to start!

kaz33 · 02/01/2009 08:27

In June we had £46K owed on credit cards and loan. Today we have £36K so we definitely intend to continue

Last year I got a part time job and DH got a pay rise and instead of blowing the money which has always been our pattern we "snowballed" our debts and have cleared 4 credit cards and are working on another 2.

Happy New Year - aim by the end of 2009 to owe £16K on credit cards and loans.

Then maybe we will think about our loft conversion.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 11:24

ooops not a good start, I don't have a DD set up for my halifax credit card, as most of my money coming in is either weekly or every 4 weeks, so not always the same amount available on the same date each month,

Anyhow, just logged into my Halifax account to make a payment on the CC........and it's going to end up being late - takes 4 working days to clear, payment won't go out until Monday - oops.

jardy · 02/01/2009 11:41

Heres my tip.When you go to the supermarket buy a few stamps and start a saving card.You should have £100 for next Christmas,that sorts out the Christmas Dinner. DONT BUT DON`T go near any shopping centres.Apparently local shops are going to become popular again.Make yourself get excited about taking £20 to town to spend in Charity shops.Do go for a family meal,in a cheap restaurant,and budget £50 for the lot of you.This will cheer you up and reward you.
Clean your house,go for a walk,and while you are in the charity shop look for books and dvds that keep you away from expensive bookshops and cinemas!

ClarissimoUsedToBePeachy · 02/01/2009 11:44

I'm in on this one too

Don't have much in the way of debt myself (£200)but an very fixed income (am on carers allowance) and struggling to make things add up. It's working now but need the impetus to maintain it which with rising prices could be ahrd.

DH is likely to lose his job in the next year (a mixed blessing- will be financially ahrd but he does hate it sdo refuse to view as entirely negative) so want to be on strongest footing possible.

Jas · 02/01/2009 11:47

FAQ - I've just had exactly the same problem. I phoned and eventually spoke to someone who said due to bank hols etc, they are going to give extra days to pay, and assured me it would be ok.....said she will cancel any charges on Monday if they appear.

I'm not completely convinced, and if I make a late payment I will lose the 6 months interest free on this card, so we are driving to the branch to make a cash payment now.

It would be worth you making a call to try and see though.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/01/2009 11:48

my banks cash payments take just as long to process on my credit card -grrr

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 10:54

GRRR this is driving me mad now I know I have debts, but I don't have £17k unsecured debts as this flipping company that keep ringing me to try and sell me a loan keeps telling me.

If I have to tell them one more bloody time that their information is WRONG and to take me off their bloody list I'm going to scream

Original poster
grouchyoscar · 03/01/2009 15:01

Glad this thread is going so well. We WILL get there

I was good today, though I bought some beauty basics it fufils a couple of resolution that I need to keep. I avoided the tempting places in town.

Oh, I thought this from Mr Lewis may be helpful.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 15:03

well I was naughty last night, I had a takeaway, Ds were with exH, I felt really ill (had done for 2 days) and didn't really have the energy to cook .

However, it wasn't alll bad news I had TOTALLY forgotten that a friend is still paying me back in installments for our holidays last summer until she reminded me. So that money went in today, which is more that the cost of the takeaway.

Original poster
grouchyoscar · 03/01/2009 15:06

FAQ. You can demand that they stop contacting you and remove you from their records.

Cite the Data Protection act at them 'Under the requirements of the Data Protection act I demand that you remove information about me from your records and stop using it for your business purposes' Works a treat

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 15:07

I know - I just need to remember to listen properly to the name of the company next time they ring (as I'm sure they will - tried to tell me this was the first time they'd called me ).

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 15:07

and knowing me, by the time I get round to doing anything about it I'll have moved and have a new telephone number so hopefully they'll stop them anyhow...............(or is that wishful thinking )

Original poster
grouchyoscar · 03/01/2009 15:11

FAQ - Make sure you register your new phone number with the Telephone Preference thingy (can't remember it's proper name) It stops unwanted calls selling you everything from loans, kitchens, insurance etc.

Call the operator (100) and ask them to organise it for you there.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 15:14

yes I will do.

Original poster
grouchyoscar · 03/01/2009 16:13

Waaaahhhhhh

Just bought DH's anniversary pressy. What was that about silly spending a £35 bottle of bourbon!!!

Was going to grab a meal but I think that's out now.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 03/01/2009 16:17

phew glad it wasn't just me.

Oh well, lets move on together, onwards and upwards

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 03/01/2009 17:12

Telephone Preference Service (TPS)