Hello (lurker decloaking)

rigger_john

Hi all, I've been a long long time lurker on this site and some of the stories I have read here have both inspired me and brought me to tears. I have always just struggled along stumbling from one financial disaster to the next kidding myself that thins will work out eventually. I have allways visited this site to find bargains and pick up tips but never really thinking of myself as 'in debt' (real head in the sand stuff) but a few things happened recently which I suppose have thrown that old LBM switch to the on position.


First I got a letter out of the blue from BCW saying in a nut shell I owed them a bit over £9500.:eek: I had no idea what this was about although I did suspect upon reflection that a might have something to do with a former partner who was not the most honest person in the world.


Then while attending a tutorial for my open university course I received a parking ticket from a private parking company,:mad: one that IMO should not have been issued and one which I couldn't afford any way. On top of which my van had been locked into the car park which was going to remain closed until the Monday morning, this happened on a Saturday and I had precisely zero pounds and pence in my pocket to get home!


While contemplating my situation, I decided that I could no longer carry on living as I do and it was time to get organized, so I needed a plan.


I got home eventually and started to think about things, I decided to look on this board to see what my rights were and once again was inspired.


I started to read and re read the threads in a different light because now I was applying other peoples experiences to my situations, suddenly the nickname started to feel like real people and I imagined the emotions they were experiencing as they wrote their tales. I felt stronger and more able to deal with things, I started to think about my credit card that is always about on the limit and the regular late payment fees which almost always ends up with an over limit fee being added too every month, about my maxed out overdraft which isn't even cleared with my monthly wage resulting in me permanently paying charges and interest.


What started off as an annoyance has become my LBM and the start of a new phase in my life. An ex girlfriend of mine once told me that the only consistent thing about my life has been the lack of consistency. I have moved so many times I can't remember all the places I have lived, now it's time at the grand age of 46 to put down some roots, sort out my life, get debt free, and stay that way.


So thats me saying hi to everybody, many more post to come I'm sure. I'm looking forward to a challenging but rewarding time and I hope everybody will enjoy sharing my story as much as I have enjoyed reading the stories of the other brave souls on this board who have decided to sort things out.

Lurleene

Hello and welcome! Well done on realising your LBM and good luck on your road to being debt free.
L x

Radish72

Hello Rigger John

Congratulations on you LBM, you have taken your first big step, now its little steps all the way

I'm a relevant newbie on the MFW forum but after leaving uni I had a huge debt that thankfuly has now been re-paid

There are many inspirational stories on the site, and people will be dropping in to help and encourage you (sometimse a bit of finger wagging to keep you on the straight and narrow)

The first step is to fill in an SOA but I'm not sure where the link is, if you search or wait I'm sure you will find, then people can help you reduce your outgoings which will enable you to throw more money at your debt

And if your 46 now, how about being debt free by your 50th :beer:

Good luck

Ninno820

Welcome Rigger_John - this is a wonderful place to be - with loads of support and guidance. I only started this journey two weeks ago and already feel excited that things are happening. Taking action is much better tha head in the sand.

As I am sure others more experienced than me will say the next step is to post your soa so that we can all help to see ares which could be cut down and therefore go to helping you pay your debts off.

Welcome aboard the train - it will be a bumpy and exciting ride!

Ninno

Ninno820

The link to the soa is here http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

rigger_john

I will post my SOA, it will take a bit of time though, as I said in my OP, I really have had my head in the sand, right now I'm looking at a big pile of unopened bank & credit card statments which I need to go through so I can see what my debt is actualy costing me.

I have started keeping a spending diary and will use that to so I can see what I do spend money on. I always just stick things on my debit card and never think about keeping the receipts. (I know I know, that will change).

I will get it up as soon as I can and i will look forward to the help and advise and maybe the odd ticking off.

Radish72

Right then, big mug of tea (or coffee), gather up all letters, sit on the floor, big breath, open all letters and sort them into piles

Since it raining here so washing probably not on the line, then peg each pile to keep them all together

Then more tea/coffee and sort through the piles, if its all to much, sort out one pile, then either speak to a friend, update your diary, think of something to make you laugh

You have my permission to laugh at my typo mistakes in your diary, I'm sure there are many :rotfl:

Fire_Fox

Just popped by to say hello and to wosh you all the best in your new DFW journey. :A

schoolrunmum

Hiya RJ....welcome! Its great here, and why not post on the daily chat forum too?Everyone is so friendly, and sometimes on the debt free journey you just want to let off steam about something..thats the place to do it!!! Good luck!!! SRM xxxx

worried_jim

Hi Rigger John- you are amongst friends. One way of getting some breathing space regarding your overdraft is to open another account with a completely separate bank and stop using your current one, this way 100% of your salary will be yours and you can make an arrangement with your old bank with an affordable amount to clear down the overdraft, one that you can comfortably afford. To get help doing this I would recommend a free debt counselling company such as the one I use -Payplan. Congratulations on taking the first steps- life will now start to get better.

natsplatnat

Hi RJ!! Well done on having your LBM! A little like you, mine was born out of sudden realisation that things had to change (for me it was the hole in the wall wanting to charge me £25 to withdraw £10!! .... yes I had previously done this!!) Only been facing my debts since November, but it is such a great feeling to feel in control (even if it is a bit scary to start!)

Once you have drunk plenty of tea/coffee, dunked a few biscuits and have dealt with the un-opened post (strangely satisfying when done and sorted into neat little piles - it is only paper after all!) pop all your findings into the SOA - even if you have to tweak it a couple of times it will give a general picture of your standing. All the lovely and knowledgeable peeps on here will then pass by and make helpful hints and suggestions regarding your expenditure and a possible plan of attack!

I wish you all the best on your DFW mission - keep posting on here (I think it is the best place in the world!!) and I'll be back to check later!

Nats x