How do you keep focused and motivated for your long term financial goals?

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

We budget in 'fun' money. I find that if we're doing it really tight to pay back a debt, after a few months we get depressed and end up splurging on something we don't really need. Instead of doing that, we actually budget a certain amount per fortnight that can just be blown, whether it's going to the movies together or going out for dinner or buying some dvds. So we don't feel like we're doing it so tough, and we can mentally adjust to living like this for another few years.

[Astrid]

We have pocket money budgeted, plus a takeaway every now and then. Plus we use tax money to do the bigger things or to splurge if need be.

I find having our cashflow plotted out for a year + is helpful most of the time, but can still get depressing when budgeted expenses blow out.

[Starfish]

I have signed up with a budget management company. They have created a budget for me that I can stick to (mostly) and pay all my bills for me, so I don't have to worry about it. For me, I am useless with money (DH is even worse), so we figured that outsourcing was the best way to go.

[Astrid]

I could not do that Starfish, I like having control, plus I love any excuse to do stuff in a spreadsheet

Amy - One card is now paid off so I know should not be feeling as bad about how far away the light at the end of the tunnel is.

[Starfish]

I could not do that Starfish, I like having control, plus I love any excuse to do stuff in a spreadsheet

If you CAN control your spending, then I think you're halfway there. Good Luck.

[lady_neon]

Wish I knew the answer Astrid!

I guess I just focus on one debt at a time instead of looking too far ahead, and once one debt goes, the money that was budgeted to go to that can go to hammering the next debt. I thought I had the credit card (it was paid off completely!) under control until some car troubles last weekend. So, back to cracking that one. DH's HECS I would say should be gone in about 18 months, his car loan still has 3 years if we keep paying the minimum amount. Then there's the mortgage :| and we just got a tax bill

[LimeSlice]

There is a mortgage payment projection thingo somewhere, that out finance guy showed to us, that showed how paying an extra $4 a week on our mortgage extrapolated out to saving $50k in interest by the end of the mortgage. That was pretty motivational I think....Everytime I wanted to buy a coffee or the girls an icecream, I thought about how those gold coins could better be used and that made me think.

Google: mortgage repayment calculator extra and click on the Mortgage Choice link. An extra $200 a month from your $300k mortgage = $79k and 5 years saved.

I am pretty hopeless with money, but I made sure that DH knew what was going on and what I had bought or paid off while he was away at work, so I felt accountable to someone and that helped too.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Just done this myself - or rather, am doing this.

Get a credit card with 0% for 12-15 months. Transfer your current balance. Cancel old cards. Pay off debt without paying interest. This shortens the time needed to pay off the debt.
Pack-up lunches for work.
When cooking, make an extra portion (or serve an extra portion) to freeze. Costs next to nothing, looks after your waistline and you have a freezer full of meals for when you don't have time/motivation to cook and fancy an easy meal. As good as a takeout!

Also, don't write off your car. That would be a top tip I wish I'd followed.