sometimes when i feel blue :(

moocow_2

i started out writing something about how i got here, how deep in brown-stuff i was, how tired i was from the journey even though i knew the end was not too far off (CC1 will be paid off end of this year, the rest in another 2 and half years more ... but still seems so far away), how frightened i felt sometimes, especially when there's no one to talk to who would understand .... as horrible as i feel right now, the sensible part of me also recalls things that help me look and move forward ... for e.g.

1) do you remember reading about that american girl who set up a website to ask for donations to help pay off her US$20,000 credit card debt? She wrote her story in this book called Save Karyn (and until recently ran her original site as well as give encouragement on her new website... i think she's moving on from the past now, but if you can find a copy of her book, i recommend it!): in a nutshell, she blew 20k on shopping, and at the point where she decided to turn over a new leaf and get a grip on things, Sept 11 happened and she lost her job and things got worse. (For info she wasn't just asking for handouts on her website: she was also actively getting herself out of debt by taking on any job she could do, cutting expenses (sometimes going hungry), most importantly, selling things she'd bought on ebay to raise money to put towards paying it all off). One of the things that helped in this book, was recognising that despite our best efforts, sometimes things beyond our control DO happen to knock the wind out of us (e.g. losing jobs at really bad times, or having a family tragedy that put an every greater strain on family finances). when that happens, don't beat yourself up ... there are things we cannot control... breathe, reconsider what needs to be done, walk on, but most importantly, keep the hope.

2) Have you heard also about Nobu-san? The famous Japanese chef? before he became famous, he had worked his way up to having his own restaurant, which burnt down one day, just like that. overnight, he had massive debts, had to go home, go back to being an employed chef in japan, and it took him 9 years to pay the debts off. when he started over again, bob deniro invited him to set up a partnership together, but he didn't have the confidence to do it again... it took him another 4 years to feel ready before he and bob set up the famous chain of Nobu restaurants we know today.

2 stories, 2 different people, got into debts for different reasons, and some times compounded for reasons beyond control... the important thing is, they both got out of it, dollar by dollar, pound by pound ... and if we stay focused, and keep doing what we have to, so will we. it may take longer for some of us than others, but we can do it a day at a time, a step at a time, a pound at a time.

Keep the hope, fellow debt-free wannabes!

ps: does anyone hv any inspiring story or free funnies to share here to keep our spirits up while we sort ourselves out?

Willsnarf1983

never heard of nobu...so obv not that famous!

Will

moocow_2

heh, probably cos we're watching what we're spending so carefully it's not the kind of place we can afford to go to Swanky restaurant in london and the states where A-listers go. point is: he got over a 9-year debt, which happened to him. and the point was: there was an end to that 9 years, just as there is an end point for our debts.

amosworks

Hey, that book sounds good It might be worth adding it to the DFW virtual book club if you'd recommend it to others.

tesuhoha

They are inspiring stories. Years ago when I was young I remember being about £400 in debt. I know it doesnt sound like much but I was on a very low wage and I was single. I remember at one point in time thinking that it was an insurmountable problem and that it would take years to pay off and it even seemed beyond me. Then I just got on with it; I was absolutely determined to nail it and do you know what, I cant even remember how long it took or the struggle I had, but pay it off I did. And I looked back on it and remained debt free for years. However, now years later we are £17,000 in debt and I am not as worried about paying it back as I was then about that £400 because I know with determination, I will do it. However, I do hate being in debt and I would say that, it is so easy to be tempted, whatever your vice, private education for the kids, houses, holidays, debt is a way of liife nowadays. Please, I beg of you, once you get there, and get there you will, dont let it happen again because it is awful. Learn your lesson like I obviously didnt and for the rest of your life look back on this time as a valuable warning to avoid spending money you dont have. Being in debt is like a prison sentence and once we have served our time, we should not re-offend.

moocow_2

amosworks wrote:

Hey, that book sounds good It might be worth adding it to the DFW virtual book club if you'd recommend it to others.

hey cool! will do that good to know there's a bookclub as well sure would help (esp if i can find it in the 2ndhand bookshop around the corner tee hee)

Sleekit

tesuhoha wrote:

They are inspiring stories. Years ago when I was young I remember being about £400 in debt. I know it doesnt sound like much but I was on a very low wage and I was single. I remember at one point in time thinking that it was an insurmountable problem and that it would take years to pay off and it even seemed beyond me.

That sounds familiar! I remember having sleepless nights about a £250 credit card bill. Debt is relative, though - when I had that CC bill I was only making £360 a month. Similarly, a massive £100,000 debt might sound awful to most of us but if you're making half a million a year then it can be overcome.

In_Search_Of_Me

Thanks for the encouragement! Every little helps eh!