I want to fast forward!!!!

sara86pink

As much as I am so grateful for this forum, I feel like ever since I've subscribed and actually admitted my financial situation, I feel so low.

When I'm at work I cant concentrate and constantly logging onto my bank account and credit card account every now and then just to see if anything has changed (although I know it hasnt) or I'm logging on here to see if I've missed any miracles to help get me through it.

I dont think my health has been too good lately either. Every day for the last few weeks I've been so tired, cant focus and just feel weird.

Doctor has referred me to hospital for blood tests so I'm there this afternoon but everything is getting me sooooooooo frustrated!

I even get worked up by the fact my room is a mess yet I dont have the energy to tidy so just go to bed. The OH is starting to notice too...

I really cant wait for the day when all this is in the past and I'm totally debt free (even though credit rating is probably ruined!)

I've had enough of feeling low and not having the concentration / focus for anything other than working out my finances

azkaban420

Sending you some hugs Sara, it's not nice when being in debt gets you so down, but you are in the right place, and there will be good days too...good luck with your appointment, and all the best with the debt-busting

Az

sara86pink

Thanks for the virtual hugs

I just needed to vent a little, I know my debts are nowhere near as big as some people on this board but at the end of the day it is debt and its affecting me so the quicker I can pay it the better.

I've just got myself in such a pickle I'm struggling to take the first steps to make a difference.

pixiechick_2

(((hugs)))

I have all the symptoms/feelings you describe and I think it's down to stress/depression.

At least you are taking control by admitting your financial situation. Have you already done and posted a statement of affairs? Spoken to one of the debt charities?

You are by no means alone. Just post or PM whenever you need to get something off your chest - better thaan bottling it up.

Take care

pixie x

debtdesperado

Hi Sara

Have you worked out your debt free day? That I think is the first thing. Once you have that, the next step is to try and bring it closer, by cutting your outgoings (eg making sure your bills are as low as possible), or by selling stuff (which will have the added bonus of clearing up your room and making it easier to tidy!).

Start with one thing at a time - I pick one thing a month and then do that (eg declutter wardrobe and ebay everything), and then pick another thing (eg declutter front room and ebay those things). Then just keep going - don't think any further forwards than that otherwise you will freak yourself out.

You didn't get into debt overnight, so you won't get out of debt overnight. Just keep plugging away and slowly it will be gone.

sara86pink

I have done my SOA and have worked out a plan (no debt free date yet as I'm struggling to understand interest on my credit card etc)

My OH has moved in with me last month and gives me half of rent and bills which helps loads and in a couple of months once I've gotten myself sorted that money can go purely onto debt so then I'll be more organised.

I think I am suffering a little with stress and anxiety / panic attacks but its never affected me physically (with the disorientation, no balance and general low energy)

Any suggestions to get myself back on top form? My plan at the moment is go to hospital (maybe see if I can see a doctor while I'm there) and then bed

josephine82

Sara

The most important thing is that you have faced up to your debts and you are sorting it.
There is always a temptation to keep checking accounts and wanting to fast forward to the time when you have no debt, but as long as you are paying regular payments to your credit card, and you are keeping within your budget- don't stress yourself out by checking every day- its not worth it!
Is your SOA realistic and feasible? Are you allowing yourself enough money to eat properly, look after yourself and have a few small treats?

Obviously your health comes first but just try to remind yourself that your debt is being sorted and month by month, the total will decrease. Remember it took you time to build up the debt so it takes time to get rid of it- don't rush yourself or feel bad for having it- you are tackling it, which is the main thing.

Get yourself better, ok?

lilian1977

Hi Sara

I know exactly how you feel - I found this forum about 2 years ago now and became debt free a year ago, I only had about £1500 debt but it really weighs you down when all you want is to not have that stone around your neck.

Working out your DF date is important - even if it's just a guess. What I did was put my debt into one column of a spreadsheet then the interest APR in another and my monthly repayments into another and managed to work out what my balance would be every month taking payments and interest into account. This then let me see when I would be DF. I could then use it to add extra payments into and see my DF get closer from every little thing I did. It really is incredibly motivating so I would recommend trying to do this (I'd be happy to do it for you if you want to PM me your email address?)

Another thing I did was to join a few challenges such as the Spare Change challenge - this means that any time your bank balance shows anything above a round number, you transfer it either into a savings account to pay off a lump sum or pay it directly off your debt. For example, if your bank balance is £63.45 you would pay off £3.45. If your balance is £115.21 you would pay off £5.31.

Go through Quidco or TopCashBack for ANY online purchases, this 'free' money can then be thrown at your debt.

And just keep posting on here - the support you'll get will really help.

Lots of love xx

BEAT_THE_DEBT

One day at a time hun.xx

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt

Hey Sara,

I just had to reply. Your situation sounds almost identical to where I was in Nov 2007 when I started to pay off my debt (except yours is about £8k less than mine was then!!!)

I had a month of feeling like that, made myself ill with the stress. Then I threw myself into work, work and more work. 65 hour weeks just to bring being debt free closer. Luckily I made friends at my new jobs so that boosted my social life for free! Then if I wasn't working, i'd head straight to bed!

I am very familiar with the feeling of wanting to wish it all away and be at the point where I turn debt free as if that will give us back our sense of choice, purpose, excitement etc. The way I've come to look at it, is if you carry on this way - will you be in any state to enjoy your new found freedom when it does arrive?

This time should be spent in preparation, learning good habits for the future and getting yourself ready for being debt free! Because it is coming and sooner than you think!!! You want the day you become debt free to be perfect!!!

Treat that day like a V.I.P, a guest into your home. You'll certainly want to look good, feel good and be organised when that happens!

As it stands now I have a similar amount left to pay off as you have. I still sometimes have days where I think, "why should I bother tidying up" and I regularly want to pull the covers over my head at 7pm and dream it away and I let myself have those days, occasionally.

The biggest help by far (after the support of my OH of course!) has been exercise. It cheers me up, gives me energy, takes my mind off numbers and ££s. It allows me to work physically hard instead of mentally hard for a change! Exercise doesn't have to cost anything! Now I've made a little room in my incomings/outgoings I've allowed myself the luxury of joining a gym as part of my monthly spends and I can feel myself getting stronger!

If you like, as we are at similar points in becoming debt free. I'd be happy to help you work out your debt free date and see what other things you can do to make it come sooner!

We can also work out your credit cards so you know which one to pay off first.

There are SO many things you can do to help towards becoming debt free other than earning pennies! All of us on here can show you how!!!

Best of luck!

debtdesperado

Hi Sara - I wonder as well whether the panicky feelings will subside once you 'get used' to your debt? I remember having a horrendously stressful couple of months whilst I was working out and facing up to my debt (£42k at my LBM). Before then I had no idea what I owed, just made the minimum payments and ignorance was bliss.

The stress was incredible whilst I was working it out - I had all sorts of panic sessions, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, just wanted to rush through it. It does pass once your system has processed the shock. So take care of yourself, nourish yourself and know that it will pass. Try and think of it as something to spur yourself on with, rather than beat yourself up about.