To cheer everyone up

curly04

Over the last few days we have heard from a few people including myself how bad its all been - we need cheering up things are getting us down etc

But since I went BR life is a a lot better than it was.

Rather than sharing all our bad stories looking for advice why don't we share our good storys??

My mine thing is I can go food shopping without worrying if I can afford what i need, we don't go OTT but we can get what we need and a few little extra treats

MicheH

We budget now. We put into the 'pots' the money we need for everything to get us over the month. We did our budget last night for January and in there is a little sum of money for me to buy my girls waterproof suits for playing in snow/puddles/mud.. no guilt, no debt, no worrying. Just proper budgeting for items that could be seen as luxury - although my girls and I convinced their dad that it was actually an essential item for childhood

Trom

Far less post to sort through

The knowledge that I owe nothing!

Officially allowed to spend money on things like clothes, buses, phones, dry cleaning and even holidays! Wouldn't have dreamt of it before BR.

confused76

i was so wound up pre-br i was on the ceiling and like a coiled spring, the daftest of things would make me upset/irritable.

i still have my moments but am far calmer and logical! i still don't feel br but i know i'm back on a calmer footing. phew!

we budget properly now, and can afford the car tax next month! if we can't afford something, we go without until the pennies have mounted up.

there is a light at the end of the tunnel now...we can look to the future and i am trying to get myself well again

dojoman

Great idea, funny thing is that this is exactly what I was saying to my wife, ie, everything we eat, drink and all the presents we will be giving have been paid for, no more worrying about the bills popping through our letterbox after Christmas. :j:D

Matt1982

Well I got my BKO hearing on 29/12/09 and dreading it. I think I may get in trouble and have issues with my OR.

However on a brighter note I am going on Holiday over xmas (I know this looks bad but was all booked in Jan 09).

So I be enjoying my holiday as could be my last for a while.

Merry Xmas all

dottydora

There are so many things that have improved. Initially I felt like really low and a complete failure and I would imagine how everyone that has gone through, or is going through it can understand those days.

Now 9 months on I am starting to feel like I will be able to put it all behind me and grab that second chance that this BR thing has given us.

We have been married 22 years in Feb. and we have probably spent 75% of that time in debt. This is the first Christmas for what could easily be 10, maybe 15 years that we are not in debt. Prezzies are simple, inexpensive but well thought out. Food is not in abundance but is adequate with enought treats for me to not feel the children are missing out. (just got to buy some sprouts)!

The best thing for me is being able to answer the phone! We had a cold call from Sky last night trying to sell us warranty on the sky box (truly lovely chap though), and that's the worst call we've had since March!

Children will get a holiday next year, a cheap and cheerful one, but nevertheless it will be paid for!

And best of all, we are all happy and less stressed (most of the time) again.

It is worth getting up in the morning.

So to all you people at the beginning of your journey, keep posting when you are low, but please remember, the tunnel is not too long! I started to feel better once the OR interview was out of the way and it usually can only get better from there on in, (even if it is still a bit of a struggle). Yes, there will be a few snags on the way, but it is the start of a fresh new happy beginning.

Merry Christmas everyone. And for all those poor souls (like me) who have to work Christmas Day, I hope you get home on time and enjoy the rest of Christmas with your families and friends.:santa2:

snicz

Despite things being hard (mentally) at times, since the IVA, we can live cleanly. We save a fraction at a time then buy outright.

The money left after payment is ours, even though management of it can be stressful sometimes. There are no CREDIT CARDS, LOANS, HP etc so there-fore NO STATEMENTS, LATE PAYMENT WARNINGS piling through the letter box.

So here's to the better times ahead, to a positive and bright future.

Remember, debt isn't always a result of reckless spending and to resolve it in ANYWAY is applausable. Acknowledgement is the first and hardest step.

Merry Christmas. x

money_penny_26

yep life is simpler christmas will be simple with our son an his girlfriend,col an i have bought pressys for son an his partner,all cash.other family members we have bought things like tins of biscuits an jams,a few glances when we have been to deliver the pressys to family,an no longer a big box to open,but we no debt an worry about the c.c.in the new year.its hard not being able to get what you want for pressys,an extra food just in case someone pops in!!you find you waste a lot of food anyway,you can only eat so much mince pies an trifle.yes life simpler but better with no worry about c.c.charges after christmas is all over. penny

curly04

thanks for sharing everyone

kutiez2005

We went BR on 15th December cause we couldn't handle the stress any more. We had to tell family as we needed their help with childcare while we went through the process. They have been soooooo supportive & our parents and grandparents even gave us some money to help with the childrens Santa sacks. Knowing that we are going to be able to enjoy a lovely family Christmas with no January bills is a really refreshing feeling and the 1st in a long time without debt.

Now my husband and I can enjoy eachothers company rather than constantly arguing about where the money is going to come from to cover everything.