Struggling to make head way

Dobusse

Hey to anyone that reads this,
Its my first post to what seems like an excellent website and community.
I have been struggling with different levels of debt for what seems like my entire adult life, and at 26 i have had enough and decided to do something about it.
My main problem was that from the age of 18 - 23 banks/loan companies were happy to throw thousands of pounds in my direction. At that age it didnt seem bother me and i accepted anything they offered - spending more and more as i knew i could get more if i wanted. It was only in the last few years that i have matured and realised how stupid i have been, the problem is that is too late and i am struggling to manage.
This has left me in 43k debt, i have no house (living with parents) and what seems like a bleak future.
Although once i finish training i will have a good job (civil engineer) i need to make a massive effort to clear any of the debt that i can.
Can anyone offer me any advise of where to start?? i have found the budget planner very useful but am unsure what the next step should be?
Can i apologise to anyone who struggling with mortgages and families, i know how stupid i must sound.

dancingfairy

Hello and welcome. The first step is usually to post your SOA( basically all your incomings and outgoings). People will then be able to tell you where to cut back and possibly things you need to include in your budget.

Basically shop around for everything and I mean everything. Try and reduce every item in your budget as much as possible.

The other top tip to get you started are start a spending diary as you will see where you waste money whether it is on CD's/clothes/dvd's/magazines/cigarettes/pints after work/sandiches at work/meals out/vending machines etc.

Good luck and you will find people have all sorts of suggestions on here.
df

pepe2008

You OK Dancing Fairy? Did you fall off your chair?

Post your SOA so that we can all offer sage advice, and dont worry, all problems are solvable...especially financial ones.

( ...just noticed that youve edited post,DF)

dancingfairy

sorry my computer decided to post after a couple of words. Silly thing this computer. I'm fine thanks.

Would definitely agreee with the advice of everything is solvable.

pepe2008

Dobusse, dont feel stupid!...some of us took until we were 46 to realise that we were in the doo-doo!

Jacks_xxx

:hello: SOA first my lovely - as much for your own benefit as ours - and once we've got a better look at your situation we'll know what to advise.

In the meantime, have a play with the fab Snowball calculator:

http://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx

Love Jacks xxx