Being Totally Honest...

Batfink

I certainly know that noone can judge me more harshly than I am judging myself.

I've not posted an SOA or any details of my debt as I worry too much about what people think of me and couldn't take any criticism at the moment - possibly a good part of the reason the debt built up in the first place actually.

It's very easy to see other peoples problems and difficulties, passing judgement willy nilly - the real difficult part is recognising your own faults and problems and taking good positive action.

Phil

Chell

southernscouser wrote:

I don't see it as stupid! I see it as bringing the date, when all the money I earn is MINE, forward to as soon as possible!
And I am one of the small percentage who got in debt soley (sp) through reckless spending! :doh:
But I had a bloody good time doing it! :rotfl:

Thats what I meant in my earlier post, you've had a great time. I don't have debt but I can't say I've had a great time.

kathfisch

Batfink wrote:

It's very easy to see other peoples problems and difficulties, passing judgement willy nilly - the real difficult part is recognising your own faults and problems and taking good positive action.

Well said Phil :T , totally agree!

kathfisch

chelltune wrote:

Thats what I meant in my earlier post, you've had a great time. I don't have debt but I can't say I've had a great time.

But surely to save up and pay for great times without credit makes them 10 times more enjoyable!

At what point does a life of foreign holidays and all the latest things outweigh the drudge of paying it back? Not for quite a while I'd think. I'd rather enjoy things guilt free knowing I'd earned them.

Anyway, enough thinking, I'm off to bed

*zippy*

I find people signatures very inspiring, it keeps me motivated.

With regards to some people judging or feeling smug when they see signatures with large debts, they should take into account that signatures only tell a small part of the story, yes they could have £40K of debt, but they could also be earning £80K for all we know and able to pay it off alot easier than someone with a small debt on a low income.

dudleyboy

*yawn* another Friday night in doing naff all in an attempt to save £30. man i'm bored. as much as i love the net, i can soon tire of it.

just been catching up with this thread... I think there is too much emphasis on having the latest, newest, biggest and bestest. I, personally, try not to buy into it (I don't go without, I just go for cheaper, lesser-known-brand alternatives) but I do look forward to the days where I can afford to treat myself again.

Chortle_2

chelltune wrote:

WE don't have debt, we owe a little on our credit card and a loan to Mother Outlaw for our car but its within our means so I don't consider it as debt.

Unless you can afford to pay it all off within 1 month, I'd disagree with you here. To me, that IS debt.

I can afford to pay much more than my minimum repayments each month - I've never missed a payment, never been late etc, even when my debt was over £40k - In theory, even then I could 'afford' the debt, the repayments were within my means, but you can't tell me it wasn't debt!

I've since taken a massive drop in income as I cannot work now through illness, but I can still meet my minimum payments and more, and it is STILL debt! :rotfl:

mintymoneysaver

Great replies, and thankyou all for not being judgemental of me! You all made some great points.I know what you mean about not knowing what other people spent thei r money on, mine was a family holiday to Florida( we had the cash to go but didn't realise how much we'd spend when we got there) and then it just mounts up then doesn't it.
So many people on here are so helpful and positive and I admire you all for doing something about it.It's the ones who aren't doing anything about it I should get annoyed with!

huggermugger

Batfink wrote:

I certainly know that noone can judge me more harshly than I am judging myself.

I've not posted an SOA or any details of my debt as I worry too much about what people think of me and couldn't take any criticism at the moment - possibly a good part of the reason the debt built up in the first place actually.

It's very easy to see other peoples problems and difficulties, passing judgement willy nilly - the real difficult part is recognising your own faults and problems and taking good positive action.

Phil

Dear Phil

You have made the very best case for not being judgemental of anyone elses's position. No-one can see inside someone elses's life and we all have good, valid, understandable reasons for being here. In the end exactly what we spent the money on is largely irrelevant - it's how we get out again (and stay out) that is worth concentrating on. For what it's worth, I have seen very little judgement or criticism on this forum but I have seen lots of excellent advice & bucket loads of support. Again, that's the bit we all need to concentrate on, because that's what actually changes people's situations.

This is where I start humming "Accentuate the Positive" ... :rotfl:

magentadreamer

I don't judge people by their signatures, but what does make me think is why on earth did banks etc throw more and more money at people. When I look at say 3 loans I wonder why did loan company 2 and 3 lend the money. The debts I do have are small and manageable because I have a job, take the job away and I know things would esculate downwards pretty quickly if I didn't. I also know that if my Mum had not have generously bailed me out when my ex and I split up I'd have been up sh*t creek without a paddle. I earnt enough to cover the DD's -that was it no food no petrol - my job was a 45 mins one way commute and cheapest way was to go by car. I thank this govt for one thing WFTC - this enabled me to buy food and petrol. I was lucky as 18 months later I got a full time job with a very nice pay rise. So if I judge, it's only what I see as bad lending practices by banks etc.