My motivation Journal to get me back on track

hayley25 · 24 May 2009 at 3:30PM

Hello everyone,

I dont know where to start to be perfectly honest. I have had a lot of problems in the past, probably all caused by myself and my reckless way of life. I was diagnosed with reactive depression a few months ago so I think though Im not sure it may have a lot to do with how my life has ended up today.

First off a bit about me I suppose

Im a 26 year old single mother to an 8 year old little girl. I was in a long term relationship until last October, when he had enough of me and my reckless spending among other things I dont feel ready to talk about at the minute :rolleyes: Money is my main problem...when I get it I spend it on pointless things and then I end up where I am today. Wondering where I am going to get the money for petrol, electric and so on...I dont owe a massive amount, but the money I do owe is significant enough that it makes my mood worse and makes me feel absolutely hopeless. I currently work full time, though I have been amde redundant so will be out of a job in 3 weeks time:rolleyes: All i want is to be able to not spend all the money i get when I get it and the best way to get what I do owe paid off without be absolutely skint and sticking to a budget. I try and I fail all the time.

Any help or words of advice that people can offer me I would be really grateful for...I have got to the stage now where I just dont what to do anymore and Ill never get out of this. I want to and need for me and my daughter. I just cant continue on down this path.

I will also use this to chart my progress, so many of you on here I am have great admiration for!! You work so hard and it shows.

Thank You,

Hayley

hypno06 · 24 May 2009 at 4:27PM

Hi there and welcome to diaryland!

Having a diary is a great way of getting support when you are having a wobble. There is always someone about who has been through whatever emotion you are going through!

It doesn't matter how much or how little you owe - if is affecting your mood and your wellbeing, it needs dealing with!

Good luck, and keep on posting!

savingholmes · 24 May 2009 at 4:30PM

Hi Hayley - welcome! Just popping in to say good luck on your journey...

rupe34 · 24 May 2009 at 4:40PM

Hi Hayley - well done on posting :T

hayley25 · 24 May 2009 at 4:45PM

thanks for all the messages of support so far!! Didnt expect it at all

I hope this helps me, just need to figure out where to start!!

savingholmes · 24 May 2009 at 5:54PM

hayley25 wrote: »

thanks for all the messages of support so far!! Didnt expect it at all I hope this helps me, just need to figure out where to start!!

http://www.makesenseofcards.co.uk/soacalc.html

This is where I started... the statement of affairs you put in all your income, outgoings, debt, assets including aprs on your cards. Edit then you format it for the mse forum and post it on here

We friendly people then comment on whether you can up your income, trim your expenses, get more benefits etc You then will hopefully have a revised budget you are comfortable with (after vetoing some of the suggestions and accepting others). You will hopefully have freed up extra money for debt repayment.

Your next step is to look at the snowball calculator http://www.whatsthecost.com/default.aspx

To look at what debts you should repay first and how much to each!

Once you've done all that you will probably feel exhaused but motivated hopefully!:D

prada_man · 24 May 2009 at 6:18PM

hi hayley

well done on facing ur money issues..... like all of us

ive only been on this forum for 1 week.... but it seems like 1 year with all the time ive spent on it :eek:

keep ur chin up sweetheart

i was thinking about my situation today & to be honest.... my debt has piled up due to my own recklessness... its really been death by 1,000 cuts...i.e no single reason..... but many small reasons.... £1 here, £5 there, £20 on this...£50 on that...... next thing u know £400 has disappeared in a month... :mad:

keep on posting & let us know how ur progressing