DFW forum newbee.

LuluBroke

Hi All
I have never posted on a forum before but I have begun to use MSE website to try and become debt free and think this will help. My husband and I are backed against a very large debt wall with £34,000 in credit card debt plus mortgage and £4,000 overdraft. It all started when we decided to extend our house and a builder took us for £10,000- yes stupidly we paid it! we then spend another £1,000 on a solicitor who said we hadn't got a leg to stand on.... we tried to finish the work ourselves but everyone we've hired has done less work for more money.
My husband is self employed and consequently went through a year with very little work, I became ill and needed an operation, had to change jobs and work part-time with the promise of a well paid full time job dangled by my employers. I finally had enough and found a new job which I love but now the debt is so high we didn't know what to do and stuck our heads in the sand for a few months! Finally we took a deep breath and have just written the letters to all our creditors. We can't sell the house because the extension isn't finished. My husband's work is intermittent and there is so much going out with little coming in! We contacted the bank who offered us a lovely consolidation package which meant we could not only lose the house if we couldn't pay but would double the debt to £70,000 we said thanks but no! I get paid monthly and at the moment we have about a hundred pounds left until next month, two children who eat more than the average adult and a cat. I suppose I could feed the cat to the children but it's not really a long term solution!
I just hope the credit card companies accept the letters and we will begin the long hike to solvency!
Nice to meet you all!
xx:p

mrscmr

Hi LuLu
welcome. you will get lots of support on here. i think probably dont feed the cat to the kids! have a good read and you will find stuff to help you.

Its great that you have been brave enough to post on here - it means you are facing up to the reality of the situation. We all have to reach that point before we can move on.
Good luck and keep posting!
hugs mrscmr

Lulu45

Hi mrscmr?

prada_man

hi lulu

im also a newbie & find the forum very positive

u should do a SOA (statement of affairs)... & no matter how bad it looks don't put ur head in the sand...perhaps look for small ways of improving your income & outgoings

i know what u mean about the breadsnatchers (aka children)... my "wee" boy could eat for scotland he's that good at it :cheesy: our spending on shopping is quite horrendous to be honest & that must change :cool:

the dodgy builder thing is very frustrating im sure :mad: however im a great believer in what goes around comes around :mad: every dog has their day same type of thing happened to my wife' eldery parents recently :mad:

best of luck on ur long journey :heartsmil

i also started a diary & it has given me a real focus & determination :j

im also gonna keep positive & smiling :kisses:

Sun_Addict

Hi Lulu

I know just how it feels to not know what income you're going to have at the end of the month as my OH is also self employed and has very little work at the moment as is in the construction industry which has been badly hit by recession. At the moment we're just living month to month and I hate it that we can't budget properly as only my wages are certain and I don't earn a great deal. I'm like you at the moment with a lot going out and not a lot coming in.

I saw a lovely quote in a magazine yesterday which is all about accepting uncertainty. It said "once you accept you can't control everything it helps you stop worrying over things you have no power to alter. A good mantra is "do I have what I need for today". If you do, enjoy the moment, look for the good in it and make the most of what you have."

I found this has really helped me and have cut it out and have stuck it in my diary to look at whenever I get really cheesed off with everything.

Since I started my own diary I've found it really helps but I do get frustrated when everyone else seems to be paying loads off their debt and I can only manage a few quid. However, compared to most mine is very small so I have that to be thankful for.

All the best on your debt free journey:T I'll keep looking in at your diary.

LuluBroke

Thanks for the quote I'll certainly stick that on the fridge next to my thin picture! :eek:

POSITIVE_AND_FOCUSED

Hi Lulu
Im also a relative newbie to these forums, and they have helped me no end. My cc debt is not too far off from you, £33K at the mo.The things that ongoing help me are keeping a spending diary, to have goals and to keep looking forward as best you can. Good luck on your journey, you are not alone and there is always someone here with advice or a kind or encouraging word. BTW, Im just starting to embrace Ebay so maybe that and other ways to earn/save will help you on your road to debt freedom.Take care