It's a start...

[Torran]

So compared with everyone here, this is really not that impressive... however...

I recently paid off my overdraft in a month (after finding MMM, various other related blogs, YMOYL) and started saving. This month I got hit with a ton of unexpected expensive things - all good things (birthday parties, prezzies, a camping trip), but my initial reaction was 'oh fuck, I can't afford any of this'.

This is a familiar feeling. Pre-mustachian I would have wacked it on the overdraft and tried to ignore the feeling of latent panic and night-time sweats.
Now, I just need to drain my savings account a little bit. And that's ok.

It's a very, very good feeling to have this little stache.

So I just wanted to say that. This whole thing totally works. Life gets better pretty much immediately :)

[quilter]

Good for you. I see you have been around for a few months posting and learning. It is great to feel like you are moving forward, isn't it? 

[San]

I think getting out of 'hair on fire' mode is awesome. Good for you :)

[pachnik]

Welcome! 

I have to agree life does get much better pretty fast once you get going with the program here.  That's how I feel too.  Having a growing stache feels better for me rather than what I used to do which was fritter my money away. 

Glad that you have joined us! 

[Torran]

Thanks everyone! Yes, good to feel like the first bit of tangible progress is happening :)

[NewStachian]

So compared with everyone here, this is really not that impressive...

I completely disagree. I think it is ever MORE impressive what you're doing. Many of us are seasoned Mustachians and saving/being frugal is easy for us because we've trained our frugality muscles for so long. We've also had so much positive reinforcement from seeing our staches grow that it makes it even easier.

However, you're just starting out and trying this whole thing out for the first time. In my book you're WAY more impressive than most of us.

Keep us updated with your progress!

[Torran]

Aah that's nice, thanks! I just saw this reply - cheers :)

I was very happy that I saw improvements so early on, and I have had absolutely no inclination to be frugal/sensible up til now.

The paying off of the overdraft really opened my eyes to how easy it is to wrestle back control of the finances.

Onwards and upwards. This great community really helps.