Comments on: Why I love debt

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:12:05 +0000

I loved reading this, when I met my husband we were both skint – his cashcard was swallowed on regular occasions. However together we have worked our way out of debt. We don’t have much but what we do have is ours, and we both work hard for it.
I live in an ex-council red brick house, whilst I love it, because it’s our first house and garden I have always had a bit of an issue about it being ex-council and not as good as other peoples. I realise now we made the right choice, we have a roomy house and a mortgage we can afford!
I have just started really thinking about getting ‘thrifty’ although with all the second hand furniture we are probably half way there, but I have picked up some great tips on here – thank you.

By: Cash Saving Mum

Cash Saving Mum — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:02:53 +0000

I must admit. It was yoru title to this post that had me drawn to it at first.

I thought…’what????!! who loves debt?’ ….so hence I read on.

Sometimes I feel debt is all part of an experience in living. Yes, one can avoid debt as much as possible by living on a shoestring budget. But inevitably at some point or another I think it is a wonderful thing for each individual to experience debt. Whether it be scrapping the bottom of your bag for those last few coins to pay for petrol each week. Or the hefty amounts of money you spend each month on paying off that car you always wanted.

Debt can be very healthy. Although it may not seem like it in the short term, in the long run people learn how to better finance their life… and most importantly one learns the true value of money.

However Miss Thrifty, I guess this still doesn’t change the fact that being ‘seriously frugal’ sucks- especially for the self esteem.

Cash Saving Mum

By: Miss Thrifty » A thrifty quandary: what would you do?

Miss Thrifty » A thrifty quandary: what would you do? — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:21:47 +0000

[...] So… friend is getting married overseas in February next year and we have been invited. It isn’t the first time this has happened: we have had a number of such invitations over the past few years and up until now we always declined them, albeit with regret, because it was difficult to justify a jolly to Southeast Asia or Scandinavia or wherever when we were scrimping to pay down debt. [...]

By: Lottie

Lottie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:31:46 +0000

I loved reading this – so refreshing. I am an ‘old lady’ and have always had to live frugally all my life. Never having the experience of designer clothes, a ‘fancy pants’ lifestyle – bit do you know what – it has all come naturally and I don’t regret a thing.

Sadly I have just lost years of writing about it when my webhost crashed losing years of posts.

I grow my own food – which seems to go in and out of fashion over the years. I keep chickens – which now seems to be latest ‘fashion’, I make everything you can make food wise – so our monthly spend is really on basics – and yes, it makes me very very happy.

Lovely to read about your life and I will be following your journey.

Best wishes

By: cassie

cassie — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:21:07 +0000

Interesting story! I think your having online wedding gifts of experiences and petrol is a genius idea!

By: Miss Thrifty's Mortgage Masterplan (cough) | Miss Thrifty

Miss Thrifty's Mortgage Masterplan (cough) | Miss Thrifty — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:01:32 +0000

[...] on, but it isn’t really. This is because we’re used to funnelling away lots of cash to pay off that debt. Now that we’re (non-mortgage) debt-free, it makes sense to keep putting that money by; [...]

By: Maddy

Maddy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:25:32 +0000

I rarely leave comments but it was SO nice of you to be so frank about your life. My secret debt and poverty got me down for years, our principle was just spend as little as possible. I realise now that is not the way, you have to have a budget. We live on £50 a week for food for 3 . It is hard, but now I find, not impossible. I am delighted not to be declining into further debt for the first time in 32 years. I thrill at making savings that mean I can spend the budget on something else. I have made a great cashflow programme in Excel ( very basic) that lets me predict day by day my balance so now I can avoid those bank charges. I’ve put in all my Standing orders and direct debits and rearranged the dates on some utilities to avoid the time of the month when the money dips. Now I’m looking forward to getting an extra little job and I am going to start a Credit Union savings account. Me, save!!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:48:18 +0000

Thanks chaps!

@Holly Must admit, it wasn’t much fun – especially as I am a terrible food snob. Now we’re out of debt I’ve raised the budget to £80. I am planning to divulge all in a future post…

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:37:14 +0000

Great post! I’d be interested to know more about how you get your food shopping down to £60 a month for two. For a while I managed to get down to £30 a week for two but I’ve been stuggling with that ever since Christmas!

How do you do it?!

By: sharon rose

sharon rose — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:42:06 +0000

Hi there-such a fabulous and inspirational post my dear!! Well done on the debt pay back and you’ve done well in that you’ve got your house and had lovely holidays too! Oh, not forgetting the lovely clothes still in the wardrobe, LOL!!