Trying stuffs

Well, since the last time that I blogged, after my loan, I have stopped gambling.

Not because I don't want to or have the urge but because I have someone at home constantly looking at my screen when I am at the computer. As much as I know that she is doing that but I refuse to get caught. And that kept me away from the gambling websites.

At first I was furious about them invading my privacy. That is not acceptable. I should be able to have my own privacy in my own home! But then again, I thought about it on the positive point of view and told myself that she is doing that for my own good. That way, because I know I never want to be caught gambling online to risk the consequence of being nagged at for the rest of my life, I controlled myself.

I have cleared my 24% and have lowered all interest rates to under 18%. I am working on making it go down even lower which is a challange of course as there is still the juggling of finances, the spendings, the moving of funs, the calculations etc...which can be fun!

Some things we just take for granted and not even notice before now becomes so clear. My longest loan is 4 years. One loan will clear by next March which is good as that will ease up soem funds to speed up paying off the rest. The other 2 loans is for 2-3 years so by 2014, I will be totally debt free except for my car. And if god help me, I could actually refinance and pay off my car too sooner.

Of course I am planning to get a house next year too. That way, I can rent it out and get some cash to pay off my debts. So all is in plan. That is good.

I have also been trying to hypnotise myself with tools. Sublimal messages which I think will work. I bought it over the internet and I think so far after a week, it is working. Small steps. With this tool, I also need to think of positive words to put in which I think is great. Keeps the mind in positive mode.

I have also started going out. One reason to get out of the house to get the staring at my screen off my shoulders, the other is to just get away from the computer at home. I don't know how long I can take someone staring over my shoulders but I am fighting the negative feeling. I am persuading myself that that is good. I could easily move my screen but even last night when I thought I will do it, I hesitated. I found it unneccessary. So will see how it goes.

Kepping fingers crossed that all works out well.

Next Small Step

Well, what do we do when we are eye brow high in debts only being able to pay the minimum and juggling between all accounts?

Well, I think I took another step. I took up a loan to pay off the 24% credit cards which were charging over $200 in interest every month. I took a 4 year loan such that I can be disciplined to pay off every month without fail. I also made sure it was another account where there is no monthly deductions from so that I will not be confused or mess up. My normal bank account has got too many deductions and sometimes I forget and mess up.

I think taking the responsibility and realising that there is no easy way out is at least a small step that I can make to make sure I see the light at the end of the road. Right now, I have cleared 2 cards with that amount I loaned and it sure feels good to see zeros in an account. That way I know that the bank is no longer able to make anymore money out of me! Hah! Take that!

Then I have a one month holiday before the loan takes off and that would ease another account as well. 4 months of interest and i am paying off one month's loan. If you do the math, it comes to be alot and I have heard friends who has been in this before and is still paying after 10 years!!

It's coming end of the year and I am ready to clear another card to lower all my acconts to interest under 18% and lower. I am making sure that I do not fall back into the same trap. Even though there will be relapses, but it will be under control. Because I cannot afford to take another loan for the next 4 years.

Also, by next year March, one of my loan will be over and it would be easier on me and I wouldn't be so tight. At least then I will have more to look forward to like holidays etc. Plus I guess my mum's new place will be coming and we will be moving which will need some money for furnitures etc. Which is something I need to save for.

I work in sales and from commissions to help me make more. With this economy, I still dont know if next year will be up or down. Which means my income could be lesser then the last two years. I am still at the 70K mark but at least it is getting lesser. With the loan, every month it will get lesser. And it is this little step we take.

Keep on going, I am sure I will make it there one day. My target is to clear within 3 years if I can. Hopefully we will get bonuses and that would help alot. And alot faster too.

We have to believe in ourselves to make things happen.