Inspired by SRD's My life in debt thread, I've got multiple credit cards and the debt built up because I didn't want to pay in instalments for regular renewable costs (TV Licence - now paid - and insurance). Once I shake it off I can basically get my life back and begin saving properly (though the urge to run out and buy that brand spanking new DVD Recorder springs to mind all the time).

Unlike last year, now it doesn't feel like I will miss half the things I thought I couldn't do without in 2006, especially not magazines - I subscribe to two of them and have others that I buy once or twice a year, but this is the year where I've really tried to read it online instead, and if I want something to take with me when travelling, to make it a book.

I've already changed insurers for my mortgage protection, and mobile phone provider to a cashback contract and am changing credit cards with a view to getting rid of old ones, especially now I realise it's just a rut to keep putting, for example, the travelcard on a credit card each month. Once this final balance is paid off, I can move to cards with long interest-free periods on *purchases* and just enjoy not getting stung if I make the minimum payment.

Cold turkey here we come...