Hannah_10's debt-free-wannabe diary.

Keeping_Positive

My Ex did a DRO and its been a big help. I just think of all the charges and interest added on over the years so I believe he had paid back what he actually borrowed.

Good Luck

Hannah_10

Most of mine was utility debt rather than actual borrowing. I had some pretty huge life crises. I know everyone says that, but I am really not exadgerating.

Between late 2005 and late 2009 not in order... I lost a baby in pregnancy, I also lost my daughter (she was technically 10 years old by that point, but really she was gone at 9), my marriage went under, via another woman, and with it a whole lifestyle as I had been an army wife and loved it. I got ill, I almost died a few times, I now have to accept I may never be fully well again, it was during the sickest times that I lost the house. I was made homeless, even my dog was taken by my ex. I got the dog back though, because he loved me too much to settle without me. My career of course came to an abrupt halt, it was the last of my priorities. Half way through that period things looked as though they were going to work out, there was a level and I began to rebuild on it. The marriage and the life I knew were shattered but I still had a daughter at that point and I was in reasonable health, so I applied and was accepted to study for a new career. Then the tide turned on me again and what had already happened with my daughter happened some more. I put Uni off a year, then time came round again but you can't defer twice. So that never happened, another loss.

In fact when I look back, I feel like my whole life went through the fire and this is a different life. Everything I know- is gone. I don't even look like me anymore. I do, but I also really, really don't. I survived, just. But I'm not the original Hannah. If you knew me 5 years ago you wouldn't know me now. In some ways I'm a lot more positive and less materialistic because everything can vanish on you so easily, but in another... well lets just say sometimes it's very very dark inside this new, littler life.

So yeah, of course the bills didnt get paid, they just weren't on the agenda. And now here I am. A good income for a benefit claimant, but a benefit claimant nonetheless. I have a lot of peices to pick up.

And so I am doing so, carefully, painfully. I am expecting another child next month. I have made a case to the MP for the therapy I need to be fully healthy again, at some point I will have a career again although for now I have no idea what.

I was offered a job as a motorcycle instructor before the pregnancy, (also definable as getting paid pocket money to ride about all day and laugh a lot). It would only have been a short term thing anyway, there is no future in it, it's just nice. Pregnancy and I don't mix well though, the Dr's don't like it, the Drs don't seem to really get that it was that or give up and hop off a cliff! So for now, I am much more disabled than usual... But it's only for now.

Actually this time, in this life, I might have a lot of children. I'm only 30, I have time and except for having a rotten time of the pregnancies themselves I will be fine. My boyfriend isn't in full agreement but I may yet persuade him, he may have slightly underestimated the force of will he's up against on this one!

Somewhere along the line, when the last of my new babies is 3 or 4 I will have to be thinking about a real career, something brain stretching. I am past caring what I get paid anymore though. I did all that in my last life and actually, when it all came to a halt, a salary was meaningless. The bills were meaningless, credit files and decent cars and a freshly vacuumed living room in case anyone called round... It's all fake.

I have a life now, a different life, a very small life, but a life. Like one of those Austrailian tree ferns after a bush fire... Except tree ferns generally spend less time on the beach!

The creditors? You wouldn't want to know how evil they have been. Somehow, the new, post-fire Hannah is past giving a fucck. There is nothing they can do to me that'll hurt anymore, some things really don't matter...

Hannah_10

I have just worked out that excluding the lump sums (found from backdated benefits and a health in pregnancy grant) I have paid the equivalent of exactly £22.44 per week.

To continue to pay at this rate, it will take 237 weeks (4 years, 6 months and 3 weeks) to repay at this rate, if I receive no further lump sums and can get none of the debt reduced. This means I will be debt free around early April 2015.

dancingfairy

Hi Hannah - have you thought about cancelling the RAC and then getting new cover (have a read of Martin's article on car cover) - I believe you can use Tesco vouchers to pay for it (if you shop at Tesco's).
Also when's your appointment regarding water arrears? Hopefully you will get some help towards them.
Oh and presumably you won't be kitting your flat out for ever?
You are doing fab.
df

isy1011

Sorry to hear all that Hannah. As a mother of a 10 year old girl I cant even bear to think of what you have been through.
I dont even know what DRO stands for!
Put the pregnancy first because as you know all the rest is nothing by comparison.
Take care hun.

Keeping_Positive

Hi Hannnah

Im so sorry to hear all that you have been through. I cant even contemplate what its like to lose a child. I think that it would be the worst thing that could ever happen.

You are such a fighter and I know babe has an amazing Mum to look forward to.

Whatever you do family and happiness first the utility companies can go jump!

saltnvinegar

Hi Hannah

I came across your DFD today and thought I'd have a read.

I wasn't aware of your personal situation and was a little taken aback TBH. I can't even begin to comprehend how difficult things must have been for you and I don't think it would even be fair to try as it wouldn't come close.

But consider this....

Many many people wouldn't have coped anywhere close to how you have dealt with things and become the person you are now.

In fact, the proof of how well you have coped, and the person you are, is here, on this board, that you still think of others and take time out of your day to help them despite your own worries and cares.

You say you're not the original Hannah anymore? Perhaps. But I would ask you to consider if you're a better Hannah?

You state that sometimes it gets very dark inside your new 'littler' life?

Hannah - it would seem that for you this is one of those 'sometimes' but I can only encourage you not to stay in the dark too long and start to look forward to all the positive things you now have in your life. But your life is not little, and never think that.

You have a new baby on the way, and I cannot help to think that the compassion you will show this child, the same compassion that you show others on this forum, can only ever be a good thing, and what a person your son or daughter will grow up to be as a result of it.

You have paid off such a huge amount of your debt in such a short space of time you should be proud. You have pulled yourself from the brink and are standing tall. Whether you go for a DMP. DRO, IVA or bankruptsy its not going to change the Hannah thats always been there and I wish you the best of luck.

SnV

dancingfairy

Hi Hannah - I was wondering how you are getting on - your diary is so inspirational. Any more thoughts on the DRO? As has already been said you're doing brilliantly (and will continue to do brilliantly) no matter what debt solution you choose. Oh - and at the end of the day your health and happiness come first.
Good Luck with the little one.
df

isy1011

Hi Hannah. Are you ok? Havent seen you on boards for a little while?

Hannah_10

I'll read the other replies on here in a moment and respond but I need to post this before I forget.

Letter from landlord today to say you haven't made payment to the rent arrears in ages, you still have £393.20 outstanding, pay us or else. Obviously not quite in those words.

£393.20? Ok. I thought it was £604.28 but hey if they wanna take £200 off I'm not arguing! Then I paid £50 straight away, so I now owe £343.20.

Back in a bit.