Newbie to the forum and dont know where to start

shopaholicnomore_2

Hi

Where to start? After feeling tearful, having anxiety attacks, waking up in the middle of the night for months and ignoring numerous credit card statements for months. Contunied to have my briefly lived high of buying more stuff that I only want while i'm in the shop and tends to stay in the bag unused or unworn for months- I decided its time to get a grip. So I,

9/1/10: Opened my statements and did some basic calculations.=sheer panic, shock and nausea! And grabbed myself a drink.:eek::eek:

10/1/10: Told my partner how much debt that i knocked up in just under a year. Which must be some sort of record. Must still be in denial cause I dont know how I quite managed to be so stupid.

And joined this forum and made my first ever post.:j>

But what do I need to do now?

Please help.

pinkpinkuk

Well done on the major steps you've taken already

The best place to start is probably to fill out an SOA. You can find a form here: www.makesenseofcards.co.uk/soacalc.html - Then copy and paste your entire results here and I'm sure some of ht elovely people here will be happy to take a look at it and give you some advice.

savingmummy

Welcome and well done! you have done the first 3 major steps
1. worked out your problems
2. told your partner - many don`t
3. your here!!!

As pp said post a SOA be fully honest and post it here, next step - getting you debt free!!! xx

Cooky667

I'll second that!

mum2one

Didn't want to run without saying, well done on taking the 1st step, your get a lot of help and support on the forum, one way or another we've been there, still there, some lucky enough to of become debt free.

As pinkpinkuk said, the next step is the SOA, and people will come up with suggestions how to cut expenses, some painfree, some cuts may need to be a bit painful.

At least you told your partner, they can help support you, I hope you don't think I'm speaking out of term, but may be worth having a chat with your gp, over the anixety, etc.

Again sorry to ask (not be nosey), was there an "event" that triggered off the year of spending,maybe finding that and looking at solutions may give you an idea why it happened and how not to go down the same route.

We're all here for you xx

Blonde_Ambition

Welcome! Well done and good luck with the journey you're just about to start. Just be careful, this forum is addictive!

Nickyj

Hey. I know exactly how you feel, same thing happened to me but I didn't tell my husband. He found my unopened statements and went MAD!! Fortunately he has been fantastic and even paid off some of my credit cards. Still got a long way to go but 2010 is the year I sort myself out. I'm feeling very positive and making big changes. I was a complete shopaholic before but I've stopped all that - if I can do it anyone can!! Good luck with everything xxx

nomorespending

Hello and welcome.. I'm new on here to and have just calculated all my debts for the first time - the SOA really helps so get it up on here as soon as you can and don't worry there are plenty of people who are i the same boat... really.. and everyone is so so nice - I thought people would be thinking i'm an idiot but if they do they certainly don't say anything like - nothing but help and support. You're amazing telling your OH . Mine knows but hasn;t asked quite how much - not cause he isn't bothered just because i said i;m on the case and thats good enough for him ( but a bit frightening too). He's not paid anything off but is going to pay for any extras (like treats / going out etc) and all my income is going to go off the cards / debts.
As soon as youve done your SOA everyone will be able to help you cut down and pay off.. good luck and keep posting.x

shopaholicnomore_2

Thank you all for your kind words and taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. I have just completed my SOA as suggested. :-( oh dear.

So stuipd to keep spending without opening bills and hoping for the best. Also feel releaved that I'm not the only one and its not just me who seems to struggle with spending. Well compulsive spending.

mumto1 your were not being nosey. I had run up afew credit cards before but sorted my self out (a fraction of what I owe now and had not visited any shops for months). But yes there was an event that started the spending again when my nan died. My Gp is brilliant but no way would I tell him I'm suffering with anxiety face-face. Theres one thing being talking on a forum (something I had previously been relctaunt to do but so desperate and no where else to turn). vs face-face. No no I just cant..but you are right I'm sure.


Thank you all again for taking your time to reply.

Cooky667

shopaholicnomore wrote: »

Thank you all for your kind words and taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. I have just completed my SOA as suggested. :-( oh dear.

So stuipd to keep spending without opening bills and hoping for the best. Also feel releaved that I'm not the only one and its not just me who seems to struggle with spending. Well compulsive spending.

mumto1 your were not being nosey. I had run up afew credit cards before but sorted my self out (a fraction of what I owe now and had not visited any shops for months). But yes there was an event that started the spending again when my nan died. My Gp is brilliant but no way would I tell him I'm suffering with anxiety face-face. Theres one thing being talking on a forum (something I had previously been relctaunt to do but so desperate and no where else to turn). vs face-face. No no I just cant..but you are right I'm sure.


Thank you all again for taking your time to reply.

If your feeling brave enough you post your SOA on here. People generally come up with lots of good suggestions on what to amend.

Try not to worry/panic about your debt, youre not stupid, your facing the problem and thats a really good thing, its now only a matter of time until its sorted and gone forever!

slummymummyof3

Please post a SOA so we can tryand help out - we will not be judgemental!