Asking for a favour...

Just a quick note to let everyone know debtjourno has asked permission to post this

I think it's definetely too easy to get credit. I think the culture of only paying for things that you actually have the money for is all but dead. A very money-savvy friend of mine had an interesting experience about a year ago: she got a phone call from her bank inviting her in for a "chat"- thinking something must be terribly wrong she went along immediatly, only to find out the chat was to begin with "we just wanted to tell you about this great new credit card". When she turned it down they first tried to offer her a loan, and then to increase her (virtually unused) overdraft. When she turned down all three the bank worker responded by saying in motherly tones "You are going to accept that you have to take on debt at some point you realise.". I've seen similar evidence of this in the gasps of suprise when I inform people that I don't have a credit card. I think debt is just something that's expected these days- if you don't have the money its simple enough just to borrow it. In my teens I was constantly in awe of families who I was sure earned no more (and maybe less) than my parents, yet constantly had the best clothes, foreign holidays and kids with neverending pocket money whilst we seemed always to be wearing older cousins cast-offs and holidaying in Blackpool. I now realise that the families I envied managed it only by getting themselves into greater and greater debt spending money they didn't have, whilst my mother's attitude was that if you wanted something you couldn't afford, you saved up until you could afford it. It seems an even rarer attitude ten years later, I'm in minor debt myself after taking a loan to fund a college course(although it freaks me out its nothing compared to the mess some people are in) but often made to feel like a freak because of my reluctance to play the "just put it on the card and worry about it later" game.
I think credit is far too easily given for no particular reason- credit given for holidays, shopping and this 'n' that rather than for emergencies or pay-for-itself type things like education. Although people have to take responsibility for their own money, I do think banks sell credit as the free key to a footballer's wife lifestyle and gloss over the trouble it can actually lead to. I suppose they like to encourage people to get into debt because they make more money of those in debt than those with savings.

Do you guys think that it's too easy to get credit? Yes it's far too easy. Even getting a storecard is the easiest thing in the world. Realising that you can get what you want now without seeing the actual funds in your bank account decreasing is an extremely exhilirating feeling.

Have you had experiences of debt getting out of control? Yes and that's why I'm here.

Are you scared of bankruptcy or is it a relief? I have never had to consider bankruptcy before, but i think the thought of it would scare me.

Are you owed money and feel that the debtor is being selfish? I am owed money, but I don't think my debtors are being selfish. i know if the people i've lent money to are in a position to pay me back, they will. i too know what it feels like to owe.

Have you lived beyond your means or have circumstances forced you into debt? I haven't lived beyond my means when i was actually making the purchases. it was my indiscipline at paying back the credit i was given that landed me here in the first place.

i wish you all the success with your site.