Making do 13

[ShushLorraine]

How could anyone think not being in debt is a bad thing? I'm with you - I hate owing people money, which is one reason I found your channel. I typed in "making do" which is just what I want to do until we are completely out of debt. I didn't think of spending an entire year not buying new things, except very basic necessities (toilet paper being one of them as you said earlier). This year (2010) we are going to get our debt 'way down and away with financial advisers advising otherwise!

[Ellililalou]

I'm living in switzerland now and here they give you a choice of morgages...over 50yrs or over 100yrs! How mad is that? So I have a hundred years to pay off my house. Crazy or what? And the more debt you have, the less tax you pay. I just don't get it. I can't abide debt either. Don't even have a credit card. Here you don't even need them for internet purchases. You buy something, they send it out and then simply trust you to pay it. Mental.

[MDEMONIC689]

No such thing as GOOD debt, there is only necessary and unecessary debt.

Mortgage debt may be necessary but it is no way good.

People get rich by spending LESS than they earn and investing the excess capital.

Earning more is pointless if it means more debt and less capital.

[ThemHooligans]

Why on *Earth* would anyone think that it's not a good idea to *not* owe anyone money? Personally, I'm with you on this.

Also, as for socks....take up knitting? Ha! It's fun.

[gug1970]

The problem with the falling off a cliff with your debt thing, is that its fine if you intend to take the wife and the kids over with you. Alas, your debt doesnt die with you ! - You'll just saddle your loved ones with the debt instead. If folks want their "third eye squeegeed" (as Bill Hicks would say) on the subject of Debt, see the google/youtube video entitled "Money as Debt".

BTW, keep up the posts (and the making do) bobbyllew, very interesting.

[weirdloopyloo]

9 computers????? so there is: you (i'll allow you a laptop too), your wife (ok, a laptop for her too), one for each kid (because i'm generous) and you have... 6. Where on earth do the other 3 go?? does your dog have one too?

I suppose your chickens could have a couple between them...

[aznarder]

lovely that you have a reality check mate-i always maintain we are like movies in that we need direction,and editing mentally speaking and only having critical friends can we acheive it.ever seen a directors cut of a movie? self indulgent rubbish generally and thats what occurs to human beings without the same direction!-loving all the updates-great to see someone in the public eye with their head firmly REMOVED from their anus.lots of love

[Oldenn]

Robert, Please don't lose faith or stop posting on "Making Do." Can you tell more about what things you do to get by w/o buying things? Hope you rvoice gets better.

[NAJA2404]

Someone said to me today "You can stick it up your balloon knot". Does anyone know what a "balloon knot" is?

[Oldenn]

Blow up a baloon, tie the stem in a knot, and look at the knot from below. Look familiar?

[mooxim]

i don't get it. why is not being in debt stupid

[chellbie]

Just subscribed, was nice listening to our story and low voice!

[marybillmurray1985]

Hi Robert, Hope your voice gets back to normal soon! thanks for the update - interesting chat on making do without using credit cards, loans etc........that would be a nightmare but like you i hate owing money - like to pay things straight away, get it over and done with! take care

[littlejinkz]

Surely your financial situation is irrelevant? The fact is you have thought about giving things up, making do with less and thats the really important thing.These vids are probably also making more people think about their spending habits, what they do and dont really need etc.

[littlejinkz]

I owe no money and I wont take out loans, credit cards etc. I "make do" if you'll excuse the pun ;) I just hate the idea of fat cats making money out of me. If I need something, I save for it. But I THINK about wether I really DO need it as well. To be in debt ( and I have been there) would really do my head in.

I love these video's Robert....keep 'em coming :)

[lotteryjerk]

Being in debt means that you are a SLAVE player in someone elses game. "Financial advisors" are simply playing by the rules of that same game and it is in their interest to keep you playing. Leave the game and you'll find better things to do in the playground.  There's my tuppence worth ;o)

[Eurasure]

i dont believe the debt argument... Debt keeps the economy flow ticking. Money IS Debt....Read the paper notes....Says " I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of..." Its just a credit note till u exchange it for gold at the bank....but now they hav taken away gold backing.....how convinient.....Now its just debt beyond debt, and we r all made to think its of value!

[hgtfsdrfdfd]

Well dude, despite what you may (or may not, as the case may very well be) think about just how you're making do, the fact is you're doing it... which, let's be honest, is a hell of a lot more than most people unless they actually have to. So well done. Six months is a very long time for anyone to not buy anything.

[xxSniperK2xx]

I have just over 10 years to pay my mortgage off (I'll be 42 then). That is the only outstanding debt I currently have after I had a bad time with credit cards debt when I was in my early twenties ( I learnt my lesson! lol).

[chchcheese]

Watching it again, god im alone. joke im not deppresive :) and even if I was these vids would help me lol

[baublebob]

Not that I want to have a go at your mate (who I am sure is very nice), but this must be a competitive thing. What would be better: making do or acting like most of the rest of the UK and spending / getting into debt / not caring about the environment etc? It doesn't matter who is 'better' at making do. Just that more people do it! If someone makes do on less than you and suggests they're somehow winning, well, surely that's rather shortsighted.

[PaulW2007]

Hi Robert.. I still have 6months worth to catch up but this is interesting stuff my friend - is this project being picked up by any TV people? Think it would make a "worthwhile" reality type show for a change... Excellent stuff.. "Hat doffing mode activated!" PW.

[socialdemocratic98]

Who is your old friend?

[KGeert]

Hi Robert.I have been making do for most of my life (29 years), and now it's beginning to look better. But still i'm trying NOT to use more than I have done so far, and it is very hard too.. When you are done "making do", then don't feel bad about spending money, just don't throw it around. You have earned it, because you have a great talent.. ;-)

[poopslingingmonkey]

Really enjoyed that. And sorry I called you Mr. Llew when I wished you Happy Father's Day...I guess I never looked at your tags before. I remember when I was going to university, $5 was a fortune...now I don't stretch it nearly as far because I have more. Trying to go back in that direction a bit, and simplify my lifestyle a bit.

[spotofbother]

Great video. Enjoyed it like so many of the others. I get that kind of voice usually after too much talking or first thing in the morning as I stumble towards the coffee maker with one eye closed. I'm the same way about money. Hate owing anyone anything. I don't even like borrowing stuff like tools and things.

[SamzyH]

Ahh yes, the "you don't know what poor is!" argument. One of my faves, up there with the "I bet my inferiority complex is smaller than yours!" one. Have a lot to think on, with this vid. Thanks Capn. Llew! :)

[paulforster]

thnks for the update, can i just ask though, what type of camera do you use?

[leftofleft]

Great, thanks!

[watchtheskies]

Robert,don't listen to your financial advisors, they take a very narrow view of life,

theres an old saying " those that are good with a hammer, tend to see everything as a nail"

if freedom and security is your goal then keep doing what you are doing, once you are debt free, then stay that way and enjoy life

[94070]

Hm, I thought your voice was a bit squeaky this morning. Get well soon!

[Mainyard48]

I was wondering if you treat your belongings with more care and respect now. They have to last 6 more months.

[RexRegis]

you can be rich without being a thoughtless consumer...

[jiidee]

Don't be feeling guilty that you happen to make more money than most. I sent you a message..hm..a month ago? had a link to a video i thought you might like. i forget what it is now. something to do with alternative energy. I'm not expecting a reply, just like to know that you got it.

[NegPhil]

Howdy Bob, Why is it that we are encouraged to carry debt? Your experiment is leading me to question the basic structure of western society. That's it, I'm heading to Wall-Mart to pick up a bunch of cheep Chines crap I don't need and putit all on the American express card!

[chchcheese]

Hope your voice clears up soon :) just a ponder, what about medicines? ie throat stuff, do you buy that?

[BadAlbert]

Falling off a cliff owing £7 million? I'd laugh all the way down. I owe the bank about 8 grand with no way to pay it, really stressful/depressing etc. Interestingly enough cos there's nothing they can take, the advice I got from debtline help etc was 'do nothing'. The debt thing must be a scam, the banks will be insured or something, they won't lose, in fact I bet they gain somehow.

[TheMeltingSnowman]

BTW. The car he got when he eventually returned to good old Blighty.

[chchcheese]

everything I own except my undies is second hand, you cant beat it, sooo cheap and as a teenager who does little else than play guitar (4th hand) I have almost no money so I cant afford to waste it on new stuff.

[chchcheese]

first comment !

[bobbyllew]

wow, that was fast!

[xavthomas69]

i tired to do that but i was too fast and the video hadnt uploaded lol :P