am i addicted????

second_chance

just wandering if any one else feels they are addicted to getting into debt?? probably sounds stupid but last year i found myself in a deep deep whole and after confessing all to my husband we sorted it out by remortgaging i promised myself never never again yet i seem to be starting again with catalouge debts here and there and a very big urge to spend!! those who have seen my post on the mortgage free site know that my aim is to pay off these debts and start on my huge mortgage but i seem to be my own worst enemy and wonder if im addicted to worry and sleepless nights!!!

lynzpower

Are you addicted to the spending or to the debt?

I was definately addicted to the spending.

Not any more though, although I am addicted to being a DFW, I was so excited last night I didnt get to sleep till gone 2!

Lydia.42

Don't worry, you're not alone. My OH and i have done this twice in the past with our mortgage, as well as various consolidation loans in between.

The trick is to learn why you keep racking up the debt. For us it was because although we consolidated each time, we never learnt to budget or cut back. Just saw the extra breathing space after consolidation as more freedom to spend.

So this time we have really sat down and talked and put it all on paper. We have drwan up a budget which although we are struggling to stick to (doing a spending diary this month - mostly food shopping to blame), we have not spent on credit cards since Dec 05, and have not made the debt any worse. Any back pay has gone straight to the debt - something we never would have even thought about before!!!!

We have become more aware of the cost of things because we haven't just been handing cards over without looking at the amount of the bill (yep, guilty of this on many occasion).

Keep logging on here, and it keeps you aware of the scale of debt lots of people are in. Everyone here is so helpful, and its nice to know that when you have a bad day, others understand but don't judge you. So you draw a line under the mistake and keep plugging away at that debts with the aim that when they are cleared, you have learnt to handle money sensibley!!!!

Good luck

dinkylou

second_chance wrote:

and after confessing all to my husband we sorted it out by remortgaging i promised myself never never again yet i seem to be starting again with catalouge debts here and there and a very big urge to spend!!

I think the answer is in your question.

You have convinced yourself that you 'sorted' the problem by remortgaging.

You didnt. And this is where you have made your mistake.

It looks like you see the extra money as spare rather than trying to get the remortgage down.

If you get the urge to 'spend' then 'spend' it on your mortgage by keeping a spreadsheet of where you are and when you get the urge to spend, add a bit extra on there and see your DFD go down.

Oh and ditch the catalogues, close down the accounts and avoid the shops. It seems the temptation is just too much for you now.

It will get easier though, when you get used to it.

second_chance

thanks to you all!! yes i see what you mean i didnt sort it hmmm thats something to really think about catalouges now in bin im determined to do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! while im here is there a way of writing your debt list at the bottom of the page and saving it so you can just ammend it as you clear your debts????sorry bit thick on these matters

lynzpower

Yep, at the top of your page there is user CP click there then to the side theres edit signature, where you can add in your debts & minusing from the figures when you pay something off!! :J

You can get addicted to money saving, im living proof !

Annie_Fanny

lynzpower wrote:

Not any more though, although I am addicted to being a DFW, I was so excited last night I didnt get to sleep till gone 2!

Bless ya Lynz!

**purpleprincess**

lynzpower wrote:

I was definately addicted to the spending.

Not any more though, although I am addicted to being a DFW

I was the same!! Loved spending spending spending!!

I too am addicted to being a DFW!!

I can't wait for when my exams are over so that I can spend more time on MSE!!:rotfl:

3 weeks to go!!!!:j

dinkylou

Yep, I'm pretty much addicted too!!

Second chance, have you done yourself a spreadsheet (theres one on MSE) to give yourself a budget to stick to for month?

I know I personally find that helps as I can see where I am and can add a bit extra to my debts if I have a good month.

Might take your mind off spending for a while and help you get better in control. Oh and coming on here and finding all the hints and tips keeps you on track too.

x

second_chance

lynzpower wrote:

Yep, at the top of your page there is user CP click there then to the side theres edit signature, where you can add in your debts & minusing from the figures when you pay something off!! :J

You can get addicted to money saving, im living proof !

DONE THANKS SOOOOO MUCH! X

owessomuch

I was addicted to spending due to being bored at work and having access to the internet I would just buy stuff for the sake of it.
I still get the urge now and again so I come on here instead and now I'm addicted to this!