Some support and a big thank you

As I am sat at home on my maternity leave I have been looking around on the boards more than I normally do. I know this is a very difficult time financially for everyone. Im not sure where this post really belongs, so im adding it to DFW as this is my home.

People in debt are facing increaced interest payments, people who saved for houses are loosing thousands in equity and are struggling with increased bills, and those savvy enough to have savings are living in fear that they may face the possibility of them being frozen in failing banks.

Martin and the MSE team seem to be getting a really hard time across some of the boards. I imagin people with savings are terrified of loosing money that not too long ago we all thought was 100% secure and are looking for who to blame. We are all responsible for our choices in life, I got myself into a horrendous level of debt and am working hard as are many to get out of it. If it wasnt for seeing Martin on tv i would never have found this site and i have no doubt my situation would have become ever worse until i was declared bankrupt. Even then i dont think i would have learned my lesson on how to live within my means without all the support on here.

I dont even blame the 'greedy' bankers for todays troubles, its human nature to push our limits and take risks. The people in the banking world at the top are there because they took risks that paid profits and made everyone money. Lets face it nobody gets to the top by going against the grain and saying no when there is money to be made, and if they ever did im sure they would be replaced by someone who is seen to make more profit for shareholders.

The one thing I do think could have been done to prevent this mess is to never have let individuals build up so much debt, that in many cases it was never realistic they could pay back. At my LBM my minimum debt payments were more than half my wage. I know im 100% to blame for spending what i did and am now paying back every penny i have borrowed. I really dont think I should have had access to that level of debt, and neither should anyone else. The government needs to answer for this and take some responsibility.

Since joining this site I have paid of more than half my debt, learned to live within my means, reduce my household bills and interest rates. More to the point I havent handed over a credit card to make a single payment in over a year now. That it not to say i have blindly followed every suggestion I have seen posted on the site, I have made choices based on my lifestyle and what is right for me.

We all need to be responsible for our own decissions, if you take the highest risk for the highest reward its just that the highest risk. the warnings on savings and compensation are there for everyne to read, it just seems people will read the benifits to themselves but not the possible pitfalls.

Martin and this site are not responsible for money anyone may loose through todays banking crisis. So I just wanted to post some support for the site and people who have helped me so much. Now is not the time to find one person to blame, the current situation will effect everyone for years to come and i really hope martin and his team will be there to help us through it.

Thank you for reading my long rant, really sorry about the spelling, not got the spell check working at the min!