Here Goes Nothing... always_amazed's debt diary

always_amazed · 1 November 2007 at 7:37PM

Righty ho, here I go! :heart2:

I'm doing this diary to help keep me focussed- so sorry if it's really boring, poorly spelt or goes off on one now and again! It's also so I can look back on it, and hopefully,

I'm starting this now because I had a major fall off my DFW wagon last month; and I can't afford for it to happen again. Feel like a total plonker. Arrrgghhhh!!

I'll just say a little about me.
I'm 21, and I live with my folks in Scotland.
I'm in the middle of a series of major surgeries, and the health problems I'm trying to beat are certainly part of why I'm in debt! SSP/ Incapacity Benefit was pretty insubstantial until I gave to my pride and moved back in with my parents; I'm very lucky that they would have me!

I had my Light Bulb Moment on 25th August.

I was telling myself 'everyone has debt' etc, as lots of my friends do, but it was then that I finally faced up to the fact that I am different to my friends: most of them can work full time at the moment, and are well into a career. I'm not. I'm far from it. I took the decision to get my health back on track: and that comes at the expense of a full time job and my own place, and other things besides! But it means that once I'm better I'll be able to do whatever I like (instead of being tied to the hospital!)

If all goes to plan, I'll be 'all better' by March 2009 - e.g. a year and 6 months. I want to pay off my debts by then, so that I can start afresh :rolleyes: . It sounds so cheesy and sentimental!

My current DFD is October 2009, according to the snowball, but I hope to bring it forward 'once I'm off the sick'!

I'll post a revised SOA shortly to see if there is anything I'm missing.

I'm going to beat this debt!!!

xxxx

meyore · 1 November 2007 at 10:19PM

Looking forward to reading more good luck :rotfl:

evab_2 · 1 November 2007 at 10:41PM

Good luck with this, you'll get loads of support here.

SarahNeedle1872 · 1 November 2007 at 10:51PM

Good luck AA, u've come to the right place. Look forward to seeing ur SOA.... and ur health improve!

Sarah x

Gemmzie · 1 November 2007 at 10:55PM

Good luck always_amazed

I've had health problems too, they actually caused a large chunk of my debt and will probably cause it to rise again next year, so if you need to talk any time PM me

Sometimes it's good to have someone to talk to on the tough days and joke with on the good ones

always_amazed · 28 November 2007 at 5:19PM

oh dear, been away from here for so long I forgot how to sign in....

.... the shame.

Well I've certainly fallen off the wagon over the last month, but I'm back with a renewed energy to try and beat this thing once and for all!!!
So If I ever read this over again, I want to remind myself that I feel bloody awful about the last month, that I have nothing to show for the money I've spent, but that I had a good time and to try to move on....!

In_Search_Of_Me · 28 November 2007 at 5:49PM

onwards & upwards!

always_amazed · 8 December 2007 at 12:47PM

Right. I'm coming back, properly this time!!

I need to get back into the swing of DFW. I managed so well through August and September, and I really enjoyed reading other's diarys and posting and offering a few virtual hugs! And it wasn't a problem, being thrifty, I quite enjoyed it!

But this is how I fell off my wagon.... (for what might be the first time, and lets hope the last!)

I had my first big operation at the end of September, and had to take 2 months off work. Luckily I got better quite quickly, but my doc wouldn't sign me back to work, just to be on the safe side. So I had loads of spare time....
Then my Granny gave me £1500 as a present to help see me through the sick pay time. And it's all gone.
The crazy thing is that I know deep down that if she hadn't given that to me; then I would have got further into debt over my 'off time'.
And that she said to spend it and enjoy it: it's gone on some new clothes, doing up my bedroom (I thought since surgery is going to be a regular occurence over the next few years that I could do with a pretty space ), new books, a bit of pampering and obviously keeping head above water with college fees/xmas etc.
I really really appreciate it, I think being given that money helped to feel quite normal and happy during a horrid time. But on the other hand I know I don't need money to be happy... I'm so confused!
It's just that I know I could have put that towards the debt, and almost halved the debt to the banks. And because I didn't do anything DFW over Oct/Nov, I feel like I'm just making excuses.

But it's done now, and I've decided to draw a line under it and say, 'It's done now. I enjoyed spending it and I spent the money on things that make me more comfortable, and I should remember to enjoy them. But, now, as 'In Search Of Me' says, it's Onwards and Upwards!'

So, Recent Acheviments (Debt Related...)
1) Not increasing my debt when off sick (even though that was due to a lovely relative!)
2) Moved ALL debt to 0% (my OD till june 09 and CC till September 08)

And things I need to work on....
1) an up to date SOA
2) a CLEAR and ACHEIVEABLE budget for 2008.
I want to get the SOA up on Tues 14th, and have the budget done by 28th, which is payday.

Once these things are done, I'll look into maximising my income/ cutting more costs, but right now I need to know what I'm doing with my money!

And I'll do that by clicking through the 'DFW Resource Bar' and following the steps, one step at a time!

Oh my, I feel so much more positive now

Luckystepho · 8 December 2007 at 2:17PM

Hi there

I'm glad you have recovered from the recent surgery, your Granny obviously wanted you to use the money to pamper yourself and make your recovery time more bearable, so you have used it as she wished so don't feel bad. She sounds lovely! Like you say, you haven't increased your debt while you've been recovering which is a major achievement.

It sounds as though you are very determined and organised, and are well on the right track, so I am sure you will get there!

Good luck!

always_amazed · 13 December 2007 at 4:12PM

Okay, I've just given myself a brutally honest character assasination, starting with my debt, so I thought I'd write it all down. (which isn't a huge amount, and I know with concentration I should get it down... I just need to focus myself).

I owe on Halifax CC: £1000 (0% till September 2008)
And £1600 O/D (0% till June 2009)

And I earn, after tax, £668 per month. But I don't really, because all too regularly I'm on SSP and pretty darn ill. Don't know why my work hasn't sacked me yet.

And I desperatly want to go back to college/ some form of education, my degree isn't what I thought it would be, and I want to learn more creative things. But I can't do that for cheap as I've been to uni.

I'm also overweight and unhappy about it, unfit and always tired.

I'm also sick of living in a tip; I'm disorganised, messy, never look neat and bite my nails.
And I'm addicted to self help books, which are full of great stuff but I never put into practice.

And people are always saying how well I'm managing, with all my surgery and illness, but I don't think they know. I tried to keep up with them, (the young professionals friends!!) and bought stuff I couldn't afford.

But I guess I'm only writing this down because I want to change it. I really really want to be debt free, healthy, fit and happy. And tidy. Must not forget tidy.

Lucy1982_2 · 13 December 2007 at 4:22PM

Hi AA

I can relate to some of what you have just said, so you are not alone and they are all things that you can fit.

Just hang around here and we will all help you! (so long as you help to!)

x

Here Goes Nothing... always_amazed's debt diary

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free