*heavy sigh* here goes nothing

[LimeSlice]

No CC rocks! You will feel sooo much better and no temptations to buy things you know you can't afford - if it isn't in the account, there is nothing there!

Fingers crossed for you Mazzie, you have been working your toosh off this year, you deserve a break xo

[angelaartsstudent]

I am also a fan of no credit card. It's a good feeling.

I've never had one, but do have a debit card (visa) - it means you have all the plus side of a credit card, but you have to have the money in the first place, which I like.

[Nettie]

I'm with you Maz - there's no way I'd rent, I like the freedom too! After all, what landlord would allow a bright blue bathroom, hey?

We've got a CC, but we've got a $1,000 limit which I hardly ever let into the credit side (always have our own money on it). Almost as good as a debit card!

[maz]

Fingers crossed for you Mazzie, you have been working your toosh off this year, you deserve a break xo

I don't think I'll be working anyless next year either im on a mission to get ahead lol

I'm with you Maz - there's no way I'd rent, I like the freedom too! After all, what landlord would allow a bright blue bathroom, hey?

its not going to be blue for much longer

thank you all for your positive vibes and advice. I am really looking forward to next year now, even if we dont get the loan Im still going to kick this debt in the butt

[MrsB26]

Good luck Maz - i could never give up my credit card although i hardly use it. I'm a cash girl, i get my budgeted money in cash and thats it. I keep all reciepts so i know where my $$ has gone and if i direct transfer or PP something then as a rule i must have the cash in my wallet to cover it there and then or i cant buy it. You have the right attitude to make it work for you guys too!!

[*Ali*]

I agree that having no cc rocks, we got rid of ours when we bought our house last year. We actualley have savings in the bank now, and I tell ya what i always think twice before I transfer money out of there to buy something, where as when I had a credit card I would never have given it a second thought.

[Jewel]

Good luck. I hope you get approved!

[Jennifer13]

Maz, try ringing up the credit card companies you're with and negotiating your interest rate. Tell them you're going to move the cards across to a no interest for six months card unless they'd be willing to offer you something to keep you there.

Years ago I had a decent sized credit card debt and we managed to transfer most of it and negotiate a lower rate with the current provider and it was all paid off within the new card's no interest period.

Also, go through each of the bills and work out which ones have the highest penalty rates and which ones will allow you to set up a payment plan penalty free. Pay the ones that penalise you the most first and allocate smaller amounts for those that will negotiate. For eg, I had an ATO debt and they were happy to take $50 a month (with very low interest) until I could get on top of everything else and pay that one off. I thought I was good at juggling my bills (when money was tight), but I seemed to keep getting behind and DP showed me how to do it much better. It took the struggle out of my finances, even when I wasn't able to work more because of a baby. I started to use the CC, once entirely paid off, so that I was repaying it in full every month, so no interest to them any more.

GL hun!

[Joeve]

Good luck Maz, less debt makes you feel so much more in control. Having the ability to tuck a bit away for emergencies is so much easier when you don't have the temptation to think you will just put it on the credit card. Here's to a more financially positive 2011.