Long termer, feeling down - need a moan!

clarab_3

Hi Folks, Long time no speak, I'm sorry about that but Life has kind of taken over a bit recently, and Ive been struggling to cope.

So here I am again, 3 years into my debt free journey, over halfway there, 2 years from a clean credit file and... wanting to give up.

I'm sitting in a freezing flat cause I refuse to turn on my heating cause it will cost me. I'm stuck with a flexible cahoot loan that the APR has gone up on 5 times, and I'm terrified will go up again. My boyfriend lives 400 miles away and I cant afford to see him. Oh and I've got toothache I cant afford to get fixed. I landed on the happy pills for a while but am glad to say I've beaten that off, even if I have had to cut back the amount of overtime I've been doing.

So - no more feeling sorry for myself.

I cleared a credit card the other day and the reclaiming of charges letter for it went in today!

Now I need constructive advice, starting with that Cahoot Loan - its up to 17.9%, from 6.9%:rolleyes: . I've GOT to get it onto a fixed rate, as the worry is what's really fueling my panic. Any advice? Afraid my credit rating is still poor, despite maintaining payments on everything for 3 years.

Mudbath

First of all congratulations on clearing the credit card!!! I know how you feel about it getting to you....at the moment i'm obsessing about paying back my last card or wondering how everyone I know seems to be going on holiday/going out for meals/buying clothes etc! Mind you, for all I know they could be putting it all on credit!

Sorry I don't have much advice about the cahoot loan - can you phone them up to see if they can offer you any alternative products? At least if it was fixed you'd know what you had to pay. Good luck and hugs xx

Effy

Hey well done on clearing so much of your debt your doing amazingly well, me and my flat mate are like this with the heating at the moment our bath is also blocked so today i taped plastic bags round my feet so i could shower in the cold without loads of cr*p from the drains going on my feet what fun it is to be a dfw!!! I don't know much about loans im afraid just wanted to say good luck and well done and keep up the fantastic work just keep thinking of that clean slate you'll have your more then half way there hang on in there!! also re your boyfriend if you have internet access you could download skype then you can talk to him online for free and if you get a web cam on the cheap see him too, i know its not the same but seeing a friendly face you miss everyday might make it that bit easier to keep up all your fab work .

boredofbeingathome

I am sorry you are feeling down, the bright side is that you are over half way and it will soon go.
As for the loan, will it be paid off in two years? If so i wouldn't bother getting another one as it may well be longer...try negotiating tactics with Cahoot and see if they will freeze the rate for you, especially in these credit crunching times.

Gemmzie

Can you overpay the loan? Do you have any empty credit cards? If you can and do, it might be worth phoning the companies and asking if they can do you a deal on a balance transfer

Horace

Sorry can't help with the loan.

As for freezing flat, I am in the same boat because I have electric heating throughout. To make rooms a little warmer, I have put rugs on the floor and when I am on the sofa have a lovely fleecy blanket to put over me, plus I wear fleecy bedsocks:eek:

With regard to the toothache, you could try some Oil of Cloves from the chemist and see if you can't head off to your local A&E (sorry to say it but that's where folks go when they can't afford the dentist).

Can't your boyfriend come and visit you? Mine doesnt live so far away about 120 miles and he comes and visits occasionally and when he visits, he at leasts buys my shopping and helps me out, if I drive to see him which is less often then he will fill up my car with petrol whilst I am there. It all helps.

Well done on clearing the credit card too.:D

clarab_3

Gemmzie wrote: »

Can you overpay the loan? Do you have any empty credit cards? If you can and do, it might be worth phoning the companies and asking if they can do you a deal on a balance transfer

thanks Gemmzie, yes I can overpay, but no I dont have any money to do it with or a card to put it on - I dont think anyone is likely to give me one either.

Im seriously considering the nuclear option, a secured loan, because I have the equity, am in no danger of not being able to make the payments and surely they cant want more that 17.9%!!

It just goes against the grain - I've resisted consolidating or securing any of my debt for 3 years, can there really be a time that its the best option? there is no limit to what cahoot can put that rate to...

clarab_3

Thanks all, can always rely on you to make me laugh!:p

I better get the tooth fixed before i next see the bf anyhow eh?

clarab_3

Folks - see when you are feeling down anyway? May as well work!

I've just put my overtime claim in for all the hours I did when i was toodown to do anything else... £700!

So that's christmas, fixed teeth AND a little boost to paying off that credit card in December

Such a good feeling!

halight

clarab wrote: »

Folks - see when you are feeling down anyway? May as well work!

I've just put my overtime claim in for all the hours I did when i was toodown to do anything else... £700!

So that's christmas, fixed teeth AND a little boost to paying off that credit card in December

Such a good feeling!

Well done!!!!:j
Wont be long now untill your debt free:j

Just keep thinking and aiming for that and you will get there:j

Good luck and all the best:j

Mudbath

That's brilliant Clarab - at least you did something productive with your downness (sure that's not a word but you know what I mean!!) xx