For the last six months, my hubby and I have been really focused on overpaying the debts. We haven’t really gone out much other than the local pub for a couple of drinks here and there. We’ve managed to do some free or cheap stuff with our little girl like going out for picnics, walks and swimming which she loves.
We enjoy nights in with a bottle of wine and a good film and we get to see our friends from time to time for dinner at each other’s houses. So life hasn’t been too bad really!
A couple of days ago though, I said ‘No!’ to something I really, really wanted to do because of the cost of it and I don’t know if it was the right thing or not. Basically, the hubby came home from work with a one off cash in hand bonus of £140. Excitedly, I snatched it off him and said, “Yippee, some money for our debts!”
Whilst this may seem: a) sad to be so excited about paying off debts and b) unfair that I instantly claimed his hard earned bonus from work, we have an little agreement that all extra dosh which comes our way goes towards paying off the debts 🙂
Despite our agreement, the hubby then sheepishly said, “Well, I’ve been thinking… the Arctic Monkeys are touring the UK this year and tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 9am….”
Now I must interject here that the Arctic Monkeys are one of his favourite bands and he probably wouldn’t have suggested breaching our agreement had it been another band with tickets going on sale the next day. And, I really like the Arctic Monkeys too! More to the point, I really love going to gigs and festivals. I’m a big Glastonbury fan and can’t wait to go again one day!
Anyway, I considered what the hubby was laying out on the table here. We could spend this £140 on booking tickets for the Arctic Monkeys and we might have some money left over for hotel accommodation to boot. Then we’d just need money for getting there and spending money for food / drinks when we were actually at the gig.
Hmm, we’d also need money for a babysitter and a dogsitter. That could be another £50 or more. But we would definitely have a good time and it would probably be a much needed night of fun!
I said to the hubby that I’d think about it but as you’ll have gathered already, I later told him we shouldn’t go. I’ve already paid the cash into the bank and it’s now been paid off the debts! The hubby was disappointed but totally understands that we should really be paying the debts off.
Part of me wanted to rebel and just go to the gig. But the other part of me is focusing heavily on reaching one of our pay back goals at Christmas time. Saying no to the things you really want to do when you’re in debt is REALLY DIFFICULT!!!!
My thinking was that we can go to as many gigs as we like when we’re debt free?! I’m trying not to think too long and hard about when that will be though. What do you think and what would you have done?
8 Comments
Its good that you are so focused on paying debt. Most people don’t have that kind of resolve. Hope fully you guys can find some other low cost activities to do together.
Debt and the Girl recently posted…My Current Job Hunt…Marketing?
Thanks for visiting! I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep so focused – but I hope for a long time! Well, the hubby and I are planning a camping trip soon which I’m sure we’ll all enjoy. We could maybe play some Arctic Monkeys in the background!
I am glad that you choose not to go but remember that its about doing something that you can do for the long haul. If you can keep it up at this rate then great but you also want to celebrate the small victories as well. Maybe not the concert but something to show that hey you can pay debt off and still enjoy life. Not saying go overboard but dont take 6 months or 2 years paying off debt and regret missing out on simple things.
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I know what you mean – if we go too long before allowing ourselves to spend some money on a luxury of sorts, we may just end up having a total blow out! Good point 🙂
I LOVE Arctic Monkeys, too!! I do agree with paying off debt first and then going to concerts afterward (I had to do that just this past month so I agree it can be hard, though I was more excited about hanging with my girlfriends than actually seeing the band). The good thing is that they’re so awesome, they’ll probably be around for a long time so you can catch their next concert. 😉
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Thanks Anna! I definitely think they’ll still be around when we can afford to go and see them too! They just get better and better!
Great job! I’m not sure I would’ve had that much will power to say “NO”. I’m still new to this debt payoff journey and I’m having to work especially hard on the will power and self-discipline aspect. I suppose not having those is how I ended up in debt in the first place…
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Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂 It gets easier over time, in fact I have to battle with myself to say ‘yes’ to things these days when it comes to spending. Good luck with your debt payoff journey and hope to see you again here soon!