Diary of a Desperate Woman....

WorriedofSurrey

Hi there

I joined the boards a few months ago when I had my LBM, and really enjoy reading the diaries and thought it might help me to get through the dark days when the debts seems overwhelming.

A little bit about me. I have 4 children, a lovely DH, a cat, a dog, 3 rabbits, 2 mental hamsters and I work part time, so life is quite busy.

I had my LBM in March after realising I was completely broke and maxed out on everything. I owe a shocking amount of money and am highly embarassed to admit this was spent on absolutely nothing (OK, had a few holidays etc), but nothing of any substance. We don't even own our own house any more, we sold up a few years ago with the idea of using the equity to pay everything off, which we did (bar a 25k loan) and lo and behold we just spent on the cards again, so are back to square 1.

Anyhow, that's a bit about me. Now to the task in hand. We started a DMP with CCCS from 1 June. They have been absolutely brilliant, by the way, real life-savers. Since we first realised what a mess we were in, I have been money saving like mad, ebaying, car-booting, cutting down on just about everything. I definitely feel happier being in control of money, rather than it being in control of me. It has been hard though, especially the last week before pay day! I am especially finding it hard cutting back on things for the children, but usually manage to find something cheap (or free) to do.

Some days it definitely feels like one step forward and two steps back, and those are the days when I really need to stop everything getting me down. Those are the "sod it" days when I eat myself stupid and then feel miserable about that as well. On those days (apologies in advance) I may well bore you rigid with the minutae of life's ups and downs.

Thanks for "listening".

WoS

skint_spice

WorriedofSurrey wrote: »

I definitely feel happier being in control of money, rather than it being in control of me. It has been hard though, especially the last week before pay day! I am especially finding it hard cutting back on things for the children, but usually manage to find something cheap (or free) to do.

I think that's the key part - you are in control now and you're moving in the right direction:T! it took me to getting maxed out on everything to do something about it but I'm glad it happened in a way or I'd still be chucking silly amounts away each month in interest.

Good luck on the money making, have cccs given you an estimate of when your debt free day will be? maybe if you make some extra you can bring it forward a wee bit?

WorriedofSurrey

Hi Skint Spice

Thanks for replying. By the way, I love the name of your diary.

Yes, it is about 8 1/2 years away, which could be worse I suppose! I agree, I would still be spending stupid money too, so at least it is going in the right direction. I am hoping to work more hours from January, have already asked to do it now, but no money in the budget for this year, I'll see what they say come January, though things aren't going brilliantly for my company at the moment, so not holding out much hope. The extras I have been making at the moment have been for really boring stuff, car repairs etc (I didn't have much of an emergency fund before starting the DMP).

WoS

Lemon_Tree

hi and welcome to the boards. you may think the extra's are for boring stuff but don't forget to feel the satisfaction and pride that you've not had to add the costs to your debts. it's all these small steps which make the difference on the DF road.

starnac

i agree with lemon tree. a couple of months ago you might have been tempted to put it all on cc thereby increasing your debt.

well done on taking the first steps and good luck for your journey

[Deleted User]

Hi there,

Welcome to Diaryland.

Well done on the moneysaving you have done so far

Tea
x

WorriedofSurrey

Thanks everyone for reading and for your comments.

You are so right, my debt would be getting higher all the time. I have already reduced it by £1900 since 1st June and at least this way it is reducing by around £850 per month (that's if the CC companies will stop adding interest!). Most of them have been good, though one or two have been a real pain. Hey ho, they'll get their money eventually.

Been busy already this morning, up and out of the door with the two youngest and at Asda's by 8 (paypal money credited this morning!). Did a moneysaving shop using two Kellogs coupons which saved by £4.50, only bought healthy stuff, so cannot be tempted, did not replenish the biscount tin this time much to the disappointed of the kids.

Have a good day everyone.

WoS

boredofbeingathome

Welcome to diaryland WOS. Some CC are a pain ....but that's all they can be! and it will be gone and one day you will look back on this like it is all a bad dream.

Have a good day yourself.

Buffythedebtslayer

Morning WoS

welcome to diaryland, just wanted to say hello, your opening post really resonates with me. Lots of debt and nothing to show for it! really annoying!

Any how you are in the best place and I shall keep reading !

xxxxx

WorriedofSurrey

Wow, you are all doing so well. Skint spice - debt free, well done:T.

I think writing it down must be making me feel stronger - today is the first time I have actualy spoken to a creditor. I stopped paying them in April and have completely ignored all numbers I don't recognise since then. But, I actually spoke to Abbey this morning!!!! I gave them my CCCS reference and they were fine, said they will continue accepting smaller payments, no problem. I might even answer the rest of the 16 creditors now .

WoS

WorriedofSurrey

Morning everybody. Pay day today :T:T

Lousy weather here, off to soft play for hte day with the youngest two.

Hope everyone has a good, debt-busting day.

WoS