How on earth do you manage that?

tootles_2

Some times it is such a hard slog though, especially when circumstances dectate that you have to give up something that you really value......just simply living can mean for some people getting into debt........

taplady

It was illness in our case.OH had 2 heart attacks, one in his thirties and another in his early forties which resulted in him having major heart surgery.We were in a small amount of debt at the time but just couldn't cope with being on sickpay and incapacity pay long term.
Then in the middle of this i had a serious bout of pneumonia and nearly died! so our debts mounted due to having to live on the credit card for a while.

None of it was spent on high living!

This summer we tackled it and were advised to undergo an IVA which is a great weight off our minds and now hopefully barring no more catastrophies will be debtfree in 4 and a half years!

HGLTsuperstar

Am I only the one who thinks the OP has a condescending tone, and is a litle twisted in wanting to hear of others misfortune. S%^& happens, the point of this board is to support and help clear it up!

calleyw

HGLTsuperstar wrote:

Am I only the one who thinks the OP has a condescending tone, and is a litle twisted in wanting to hear of others misfortune. S%^& happens, the point of this board is to support and help clear it up!

That is why I replied the way I did.

As I said does it really matter how it was run up.

You are right this board for supporting and helping, not shouting them down because they spent money on X and Y.

If people are on this board they are starting to see there is a problem. And have had or about to have their lightbulb moment.



Yours

Calley

surfcat

calleyw wrote:

As I said does it really matter how it was run up.

It DOES matter how it was run up!

fair enough, if your partner dies in a tragic car accident, or you lose your job at the same time your girlfirend gives birth, then we can give sympathy and advice.

But if someone comes on here and says, "I know, I know, I've been really stupid but I've been overspending for years buying lots of stuff and run up 30K debt. Would it be best for me to go bankrupt?" In these cases I reserve the right to be judgemental. Their bankruptcies are putting prices and credit card repayments up for everyone else who manages their finances in an appropriate manner.

---lee---

I also find the tone of this thread a little offensive.

Anyone can find themselves in debt for a number of reasons. I regularly read this board. I’ve had debt on credit cards in the past and I don’t want it again.

I find it inspiring to read how hard some people are trying to get rid of their debt and it makes me more resolute that I will not put myself in that situation again.

I think it’s very shallow and a good indication of a ‘lack of life experiences’ to assume that people ‘rack up’ debt for no reason. People find themselves in all sorts of desperate situations through no fault of their own. That’s life.

Those that post on the board have recognised that they don’t want to continue to live in debt and are helping and supporting each other.

tomstickland

I ran up debt and I think a certain amount of cheek is allowed by the OP. In my case it was mainly due to lack of interest or attention to the way I managed my funds.

calleyw

surfcat wrote:

It DOES matter how it was run up!

fair enough, if your partner dies in a tragic car accident, or you lose your job at the same time your girlfirend gives birth, then we can give sympathy and advice.

But if someone comes on here and says, "I know, I know, I've been really stupid but I've been overspending for years buying lots of stuff and run up 30K debt. Would it be best for me to go bankrupt?" In these cases I reserve the right to be judgemental. Their bankruptcies are putting prices and credit card repayments up for everyone else who manages their finances in an appropriate manner.

I thought this board was about trying to help not ripping people apart because of what they have done.

There are loads of people on this board who have run up debts because they wanted things or just over spent by a hundred a month.

Sorry but I fail to see why you have right to be judgemental. Your type of attitude is one that stops people from seeking help and sorting out there debts.

And there are alot of people on this board who will do the slog and pay every penny back. Some are not in the postion due to illness, failed businesses etc.

Have you have never been in debt, ever missed a credit card payment, or even forgotten to pay a bill. If not then well done for being holier than the rest of us. At least some of admit that we are human and do make the odd mistakes.

It can if you are not canny make you pay more for your credit. But if it annoys you so much where were you when they changed the rules recently where people can be signed off after a year after being made bankrupt. Why did you not lobby your MP if it bugs you so much.

You seem to think that going bankrupt is the answer to all ills. it is not, it can dog you for years. Hey I got a great idea lets make all bankrupts wear sack cloth and ashes :rolleyes: So we can all hound them down in the streets and shout at them "wasters"

Also maybe you could spend your time trying to get banks to tighten up and who and how they lend. As they are the ones that are handing out your hard earned cash willy nilly to anyone and could not careless how it is going to be paid back.

I don't tend to post here because I am not in debt and live with in my means. But I was in debt once to the tune of £1500 not a lot but I had my lightbulb moment and saw how easy I could have been sucked in to the trap. Of paying a £100 off my credit card a month and only £20 of it paying off the capital.

And when you live hand to mouth sometimes using credit cards is the only way to pay for food etc.

To me what you are saying is like a thin person telling a fat person how to loose weight. If you have never had a weight problem how can you have any idea what it is to struggle with trying to loose weight. And personally I would find that offensive.

Yours

Calley

Penny-Pincher!!

Hiya OP

I think TBH, this is a pretty good thread! Some people are here through basically choice, others are forced into debt IYKWIM. It helps to hear other peoples stories and if its going to help others not do the silly mistakes we all made-then thats good, and all in the name of money saving LOL.

My story is this.....

18 months ago, OH & I were both on very good incomes, but foolishly were spending it all and had no real savings. Used the credit card for everything but paid the majority off it each month, so we were never really in debt as such. Had holidays to florida each year, take aways, designer clothes (would think nothing of spending £300 on a bag/shoes etc)meals out weekly with friends (£200 a go) spent stupid amounts on food each week (shopping only at M&S/Waitrose)...spend...spend...spend basically :rolleyes: but although we had a daughter we are both still pretty young and assumed that we could do all the adult things (like saving properly/morgage etc) when we were in our 30's.

Anyways, I became ill about a year ago and had to give up work in July of this year and my OH is now my FT carer. We now live entirely on benefits which is a pain on the !!!!!! as we both miss work so much and I do hate sometimes not having the flexibility of spending when we wish-but hey-thats life..LOL. Our income has dropped by about £3000 a month and to top it off-Im in a poxy wheelchair most times when I go out and Im only 31!!!!!

Our smallish amount of debt we had, has been moved to 0% credit cards and we will be totally debt free in April 2006. I have cut back thanks for this website and no longer am a food snob, and I cook from scratch-which is a miracle in its self!! I meal plan and we live/eat very well. We even have a small amount in savings. We have more money left at the end of each month that what we ever had before.....amazing isnt it!

Our experiance with debt was totally out of our control and my main piece of advice would be-too never think your invinsible and things CAN happen to ANYONE. So please, plan and save for the future, spend only what you need (the odd luxury is fine!), because you never do know, what is round the next corner.

PP
xx

surfcat

calleyw wrote:

I thought this board was about trying to help not ripping people apart because of what they have done.

yes, no disagreement from me there

There are loads of people on this board who have run up debts because they wanted things or just over spent by a hundred a month.

yes, me, me, me, I want everything now without having to work for it.

Sorry but I fail to see why you have right to be judgemental.

Freedom of opinion.

Your type of attitude is one that stops people from seeking help and sorting out there debts.

advise people how to improve their situation fine, but if its through their own making, why should they expect sympathy. Do YOU think people should be able to go bankrupt (causing higher prices for everyone else) when the situation is of their own making?

And there are alot of people on this board who will do the slog and pay every penny back. Some are not in the postion due to illness, failed businesses etc.

If you had actually read my post you would understand I had made allowances for this.

Have you have never been in debt,

yes am in debt to SLC for circa 15K.

ever missed a credit card payment, or even forgotten to pay a bill.

no, and still quite human I believe.

But if it annoys you so much where were you when they changed the rules recently where people can be signed off after a year after being made bankrupt.

the rules were designed to allow entrepreneurial business to flourish, not to allow people plasma screens on credit.

You seem to think that going bankrupt is the answer to all ills. it is not, it can dog you for years.

..and so it should!

Also maybe you could spend your time trying to get banks to tighten up and who and how they lend.

they are tightening up now: fewer 0% deals, sharing of information between CC providers etc.

To me what you are saying is like a thin person telling a fat person how to loose weight. If you have never had a weight problem how can you have any idea what it is to struggle with trying to loose weight. And personally I would find that offensive.

again I refer you to my post. Go on, read it again.

best wishes, surfcat