Anyone done anything incredible or unique to get out debt?

Question

Please let us know any incredible ways you have got out of debt, it's research for a new TV show, thanks! xxx

Answer 1

I did it the old fashioned way. We had newborn twins and were living a month ahead of our income (we'd spent it before we'd got it, if you see what I mean) continually being overdrawn.
When the bank asked us to return our chequebook, I started a book, writing down every single thing we spent for a complete month (and I mean EVERY single thing). The next month, we were able to distinguish the things we really didn't need and from that were able to make serious adjustments to our way of life for the next six months.
It was difficult, but we did it. (The 6 months, went over Christmas, which made it all the more difficult. Maybe without Christmas, we could've sorted ourselves out sooner).
From then on, I kept the book and we religiously recorded our spending for three years. I still have the book and it makes interesting reading, purely because of the things we used to buy and the prices at the time.
It's also a reminder to keep our spending in check. Now, we spend within our means. The only things we've bought since with a loan, is the car and the house. Opening that letter from the bank was the worst experience, the most embarrassing thing to happen to me. I was so ashamed and I never want to be in that position again.
Today, debt seems to be the norm, it doesn't hold the same social stigma. Students come out of University owing the same amount of money we paid for our first house and they think nothing of it! They actually start off their lives with this enormous weight of debt around their necks. It's something I will never be able to come to terms with. To me, debt is unacceptable, not an acceptable part of life.

Answer 2

I spent seven years paying off a debt when I was made redundant (around £4000).

I did it by paying around half my dole each month and basically starving. Iwas absolutley determined to do it.

I should have a medal, instead have about 5 county court judgements for the months I missed.

Answer 3

I owed arond £100,000 in loans and credit cards. Got an IVA. Now pay £414 a month for 5 years. Sheer bliss, no more worried and no more credit cards. If you dont own property declare yourself bankrupt.

Answer 4

I did. I joined an e-lottery syndicate, got my own web site and told as many people as I could - just like they show you to do, and there you go. Of course you stand a much bigger chance of winning the euro or UK , lotto too. I win something almost every week.
Go to www.v-w-d.com/norskwinners

Answer 5

In the UK many people undertake an IVA o get out of debt.

http://myvesta.org.uk/media/video/iva/

Answer 6

I am 27 years old and can honestly say I have never been in debt. I'm old fashioned, I believe that if you can't afford to have something, you don't have it.