Lots of us have debt of some kind – be it a credit card, store card, a loan of some sort or even just a mortgage.
Most of us will be able to manage the debt we have and can make the monthly payments each month with no real concerns but should we be satisfied by that? Shouldn’t the real goal always be to become completely debt free?
But at what cost, what would you give up in to become debt free?
The reason I’m asking is because I saw someone online the other day asking for advice as she was beginning to struggle a bit making her credit card repayments and the first thing that everyone said was that she needed to get rid of Sky because it was a non-essential. I get that, I really do – she needs to free up some money and if she can, cancelling Sky would save a chunk each month that would help her make her repayments.
But then someone else responded to say that they personally wouldn’t cancel Sky because it was their only treat. This person (who probably didn’t realise that they were about to get shot down in flames bless them) explained that they didn’t go out often, didn’t smoke, didn’t drink and rarely treated themselves to very much so she felt Sky was her ‘treat’.
I found some of the responses that this poor person got to be really rude to be honest and it ended up taking all of the attention away from the person who had initially asked for help. Apparently Sky is a big old waste of money and anyone who has any debt at all should not be paying for anything that isn’t essential – in fact lots of people suggested doing away with the TV altogether and just watching catch up as you don’t need a licence for that (don’t quote me on that but the aggressive responders seemed convinced ;-)).
But here’s the thing, I have Sky tooand I won’t be giving it up anytime soon because, whilst I’d always recommend to anyone that if they’re struggling to get rid of anything non-essential and I would clearly agree that the quicker you can pay off debt the better, I also believe that if you’re managing your debt and not struggling with repayments then why shouldn’t you have some non essentials.
Some people will choose to give up everything they can and pay their debt back quicker which is great but some people will choose to have a few treats which is great too. Everyone’s different!
So, I won’t give up Sky TV, fun days out with the kids and my mobile phone.
What about you – what won’t you give up?
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Mammasaurus says
Being married to a money-savvy saver-and-not-a-spender I think we would give up whatever was needed to become debt free x
jbmumofone says
Ooh interesting! I'm not sure. TBH I could live without SKY, apart form Game of Thrones, but not Netflix. My husband couldn't though. Ooh I don't know! Sorry.
mummybarrow says
Me too. I wont give up Sky. It is our entertainment budget. With three teens and a sport loving husband it is one of our biggest expenses after food. BUT we dont go out as a couple and spend money on dinners, or to the cinema, or on expensive wine. We stay in and watch a film or an afternoon football match.
And to have teenagers not fighting but watching things on Sky Go on tablets or the Kardashians or whatever together is priceless to me!
Grenglish says
I would not want to give up SKY either and there are many other things that would go before it. Obviously, I would not keep sky if we had massive debts that we were struggling to manage, but I'd definitely look at other areas first. Sadly, our subscription to The Wine Society would have to go. And, I'd probably cut back on all non essentials on the weekly shop. Cancel netflix. Buy cheaper face creams etc.
beingmrsc says
Personally I think Sky would be the first thing to give up for me (if I had it) as I see it as an unnecessary expense. A TV licence is an extra in my mind and there's plenty of entertainment that you can get with just that and an internet connection without needing anything extra on top. But then that's just my opinion.
In terms of what I wouldn't give up – it would probably have to be my internet connection (our lifeline for work and staying in touch with people) and also having family time each week. I think it so important for all four of us to have time together and that's why neither of us would work all weekend as then we wouldn't get that time together.
sriches says
It's a harsh reality – what a question to ponder! I don't think people should have been hard on the poor person who considered Sky their treat – that's their thing and yes, life would be dull if we didn't treat ourselves every now and then.
I personally have given up smoking and drinking this year and have started to notice a slight difference come the end of the month, it already has a positive impact on my purse and health.
Yes, Sky would be the first thing I would give up, simply because I am astounded by how much I pay… for nothing and I have Netflix which I prefer more – but for the time being, whilst everything is fine, I will keep it. I'd probably give up buying nail varnish… now that would be hard! 🙁 Sim x
cat lover says
I wouldn't give up sky either.the whole family enjoys it.from a personal point of view,I don't smoke,drink or go out much and rarely treat myself so I watch it with no guilt whatsoever.I don't know why some commenters get so rude and aggressive about this.at the end of the day,you still need a little pleasure in your life even if you are trying to pay off debt.
Claire says
I wouldn't give up family days out (although have made them more frugal) or holidays (we now camp) or my childrens phones(so they can keep in touch with us when out) it will be many years till we are debt free but we manage our debts and I don't want the children to go through their childhood with no treats, they already make do with second hand clothes most of the time, picnics and museums for days out and have never had a holiday abroad as it is. Personally I have given up most things except my mobile phone which I use for work and maintaining contact with family – dont have an expensive one though!
Joy says
I suppose that if I had to there's not a lot I couldn;t give up and it's easy to say when one has no debt but I would find it hard to give up my crafting activities and my internet connection.
J x
michelle twin mum says
Gosh some people get so ranty on FB don't they? When we moved we had to give up Virgin as no-one supplies where we live and we were fine with freeview but now we have netflix and it does make a difference if you don't go out. I wouldn't want to give up my fun with the kids either. Mich x
Claire says
Like you I wont give up days out with my daughter althou I do try to do them
As cheaply as possible and I won’t give up my daughters music school. She loves it and she gets to play in concerts, ensembles and have workshops with big orchestras. I’ll go without to make sure she can continue to go ..