Have you told your family about your debt?

WorkingHardDFW

We've not told anyone, niether friends or family, the extent of our debt which at times has been hard. Close friends may have noticied the change in lifestyle - I've not bought any new clothes for at least a year!!

Like many of the posts its been the changes in lifestyle which have been difficult at times.

Both our sets of parent would be completely shocked if they knew what our debt had been at its highest or even what it is now.

The children are aware that we are watching the pennies, hopefully we are teaching them valuable lessons for adulthood.

I find it hard to say to no to events etc where before my LBM I would have gone too but 1 year on a: I am used to it now b: I'm not overspending and c: our debt is reducing.

Numpty_Monkey

I've told my family, my friends, it was a relief.
No more making daft excusses as to why why i can't do this and that,
Sometimes I do feel like a !!!!!!!!!!, but It's like payment in kind

themagics

I only told my mum and dad when we had the nasty call from marlin threatening ccj i broke down in tears and so did my mum she had no idea what me an dmy husband were going thru. since telling them its been a weight lifted and now that this week marlin are now threatening my husband with bankruptcy I've been able to chat openly with my dad about it. my mum used to make me feel guilty for going back to work full time and "palming my children off on childminders2 as she put it but since i told her about our debts and our dmp she actually helps out by having the kids in the hols for me.she wasn't as bad as i thought she would be though my dad still gives my husband the dagger look when ever we talk about it all but dads do don't they just like my mother inlaw gives my the daggers when we talk about it all no actually she's always givenme the daggers!1 oh well she can go !!!!!

~Beanie~

jimmer1980 wrote: »

I've been in the position of not knowing if I can afford the petrol to get to work before.

I know that feeling! I go to my parents house once a week for tea (I'm a northener, ok!!) and in the past have had to make excuses why I couldn't go when in reality I simply couldn't afford the petrol to get there - 5 miles up the road.

I daren't tell either of them, even though I know that they have been in the same position (and worse) before. I remember when I was a kid in the 1980's, sitting in my bedroom whilst people came round and looked at the house (and at me sitting on my bed) 'cos my parents had put it up for sale as they couldn't afford it. Luckily they still live in the same house - mortgage free - nearly 30 years later.

I have told my brother but we had both had a drink at the time and I don't think it actually sunk in. He has always been the saver of the family whereas I have always been the spender. His wife ran up debts bigger than mine a few years ago but he paid them off for her, unfortunately I don't have a husband/partner to do that for me - not that I would want them to.

My mum is constantly asking why I am always skint as I am earning more than I ever have before (because I was supplimenting it on my credit card before!!) but I think my dad has an idea as he is always slipping me the odd £10 or £20 when mum isn't looking.

The really sad thing is, my parents are both pensioners and my dad often says to me -"Don't worry, me and your mum won't be here much longer,then you and your brother can have the house between you". That really upsets me, I would rather be in debt forever and keep them both.